A ‘special’ day for Bute Shinty Club, but which royal won the penalty shootout?published at 15:50 BST
15:50 BST
Matt Spivey
Live page editor
Image source, ReutersImage caption,
Craig Harrower gave the Prince and Princess of Wales a tour of Bute Shinty Club
It’s been a “special day” for Craig Harrower, secretary of Bute Shinty Club. He’s not only met the Prince and Princess of Wales, but has walked them through the sport of shinty during their first visit to Bute in Rothesay, Scotland.
William and Catherine, who hold the titles of Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, had a guided tour of the club before taking part in a penalty shootout against one of the club’s goalkeepers.
William may have had the upper hand, as he told Harrower he’d seen the game during his time at St Andrew’s University, where he met Catherine.
But Catherine shows more promise, Harrower says, and jokes that Prince William will need some more practice.
He tells me it’s “special for them to come to us” and it was a “great experience” to explain to the royals how the sport is played, and how the club operates by raising money to support itself as a registered charity.
“They’re really grounded and wanted to meet and greet the people – they were trying to meet and acknowledge as many people as they can, a lovely couple,” Harrower says.
He played the sport as a child and, after returning from the army, joined the club to “give back”. Now, with royalty having graced the muddy pitch, he says it’s brilliant to put shinty on the map.
What do you do after meeting Royals, I ask him. “I don’t know, but we’ve got cake and sandwiches,” he says.
Image source, PA MediaImage caption,
Harrower says it was great for the royals to get involved