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A ROYAL CONTENDER

Kate Middleton reveals Princess Charlotte’s love of horses to Team GB athletes

The Duchess of Cambridge may wish for the royal tot to follow in Zara Phillips' footsteps and compete on behalf of country

THE Duchess of Cambridge has revealed that Princess Charlotte has already developed a "passion" for horses.

Speaking to guests at a Buckingham Palace reception yesterday, Kate Middleton said she would do her best to "champion and encourage" the 17-month-old tot's fondness for riding.

Kate Middleton tells Team GB Princess Charlotte likes horses
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Kate Middleton spoke to guests about her daughter's love for horsesCredit: PA
Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte
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She revealed Princess Charlotte's passion for ridingCredit: Getty Images

Equestrian triple gold-medallist Natasha Baker said: "I asked Kate how the children were and she said Charlotte is really enjoying her riding which is great to hear and I said we may see her here on a line-up in 20 years time.

"She emphasised that Charlotte has this passion about horses and although she doesn't echo it, she'll do her best to champion and encourage it.

Kate went on to share three-year-old Prince George's delight in the games.

Kate Middleton tells Team GB Princess Charlotte likes horses
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The Duchess of Cambridge met Team GB athletes from the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic gamesCredit: PA
Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte
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Kate told a guest she would 'do her best to champion and encourage' her daughter's passion for ridingCredit: PA:Press Association
2016 Royal Tour To Canada Of The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge - Victoria
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The Duchess also mentioned Prince George's fascination with fencingCredit: Getty Images
Kate Middleton and Prince William at Buckingham Palace reception
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The royal couple met Olympians at the Buckingham Palace reception celebrating Team GB's success at the gamesCredit: PA

"George is fascination by fencing but I think that's because of the face shields.

"Charlotte would have loved to be here but she'd be running riot".

The Duchess joined the Queen, Prince Harry and husband Prince Williams to give a heroes welcome to Team GB following the success from the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympic games.

The mother-of-two also spoke to triple gold-medallist swimmer Ellie Simmonds about her daughter's love of horses.

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Princess Charlotte's aunt Zara Phillips won a silver medal in an equestrian event at the London 2012 gamesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The champ said: "Kate was telling me how George likes swimming and Charlotte loves horses."

Kate may wish for Princess Charlotte to follow in the footsteps of aunt Zara Phillips, who became the first royal to win an Olympic medal by reaching second place in an equestrian event at the London 2012 games.

The Queen is also known to be a keen rider of horses.

At the celebratory event yesterday, the royals were seen to be cheering on the competitors in the crowd while looking "very relaxed and to be enjoying themselves".

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