Kate Middleton looks as cool as a cucumber as she abseils down rock face in Brecon Beacons
PRINCESS Kate looked as cool as a cucumber this afternoon as she abseiled down a rock face.
The Princess of Wales, 41, scaled the cliff during a visit to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.
Stunning snaps show the mum-of-three smiling while dangling in a harness, raincoat and safety helmet.
Later on, Kate will head with Prince William to socialise with climbers and community members at the nearby Dowlais Rugby Club.
The volunteer-run organisation, which covers the central area of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park including Pen y Fan, is celebrating its 60th birthday.
Will and Kate dressed casually in jeans, walking boots and matching red jackets, with the princess in a cap, as they tried their hand at abseiling down a quarry.
Wills led the way over the edge after teasing Kate, saying: “Come on then are we going to abseil or stand around talking.”
The heir to the throne looked a natural as he sped down the cliff.
When asked by instructors if he had abseiled before, William said: “It’s been a while.”
Before heading over the edge Kate, who had her hair tied in a ponytail, was heard telling William: “We’re not racing.”
They also met the rescue teams search dogs, before Kate took part in a rescue of a mock patient.
The Princess of Wales ventured out with a team to save a pretend casualty who had slipped on rocks.
Her highness was tasked with radioing in for help and medical supplies to her husband in the incident control van.
Kate said: “Have you got everything on the list?”
She laughed and added: “It’s like calling him about the weekly shopping.”
The club, which is a feeder club to Cardiff Blues, is a popular spot for the climbers to socialise and relax when they are off duty.
During their visit, the royal couple will take part in a host of training activities.
At the club, they will get a chance to speak to individual volunteers, the organisation’s supporters and members of the local community.
After spending some time inside they will meet more members of the public outside.
Prior to becoming a senior royal at the age of 35, William had a career as an RAF search and rescue pilot.
He also worked as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
The Brecon Beacons underwent a name change earlier this month and is now known as Bannau Brycheiniog.
The change is an “organisational” one which is said to “better reflect the park and the world we live in today”, the park says.