Prince William and Kate Middleton.Photo: John Sibley - Pool/Getty
As the 2020Paralympicsheld their opening ceremony in Tokyo, royals from the athletes' native countries sent their well wishes.
Prince WilliamandKate Middleton
“Wishing@ParalympicsGBand all the athletes from around the world the best of luck in this year’s#Paralympics,” they posted on the official@KensingtonRoyalTwitter account.
They continued, “We can’t wait to see the talent and skill displayed over the next two weeks,” including a British flag emoji associated with the Team GB hashtag#ImpossibleToIgnore.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 39, followed William’s unclePrince Edward, who took toTwitteron Friday to wish success to the British athletes competing in this year’s games, which were rescheduled from last summer due to global COVID lockdowns.
Edward, who is the patron of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic team, followed suit with his sister,Princess Anne, whowished the Team GB Olympic competitors successin her capacity as President of the British Olympic Association and a Member of the International Olympic Committee.
In his address to the Olympians, Edward gave a glimpse at his dry sense of humor when The Royal Family’s official Twitter released a short video on Friday of the Earl of Wessex wishing success to the British athletes competing at the 2020Paralympics.
“I want to wish you the very best of luck,” said Edward, 57, on Friday.
“Now while parts of the experience will be slightly surreal — in particular the lack of any spectators,” he said, alluding to COVID protocols in Tokyo, “I hope this won’t detract from the main purpose, which is, of course, the competition.”
“We all send you massive congratulations on being selected. You now have the chance to compete against the very best in the world, and indeed to win. And more importantly, we want you to go out there and to achieve your best, make us proud and inspire the next generation of athletes with a disability,” he continued.
Elsewhere, the Swedish Royals also wished their Paralympians good luck, withCrown Princess Victoriasharing a photo of herself with 9-year-old Princess Estelle and 5-year-old Prince Oscar proudly waving Swedish flags.
“When you now start the hunt for your medals, you should know that we are many here at home who cheer on you and feel proud that you represent our country,” she continued. “Go Sweden!”
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Team GB finished strong at the Olympics, finishing fourth in the Olympic medal table with 65 medals total, including 22 golds, 21 silver and 22 bronze. Team Sweden scored 3 gold medals and 6 silver, landing 23rd in the overall medal count.
source: people.com
