Kate Middleton makes rare appearance in shorts at sailing race

The Duchess of Cambridge wore sailing-ready attire as she attended a team Great Britain race on Sunday.WireImage

Kate Middleton is going off script.

On Sunday, the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, sported three very different nautical looks for a sailing race and children’s activity in Plymouth, England — including two pairs of shorts.

Wearing tailored white linen shorts from British heritage brand Holland Cooper ($243) and a striped navy sweater from Erdem, Middleton looked perfectly preppy — and showed off her super-toned legs — as she arrived at the event.

Shorts aren’t a typical part of her royal wardrobe; in fact, this is the third time ever Middleton’s worn the style since marrying Prince William in 2011.

The duchess helped children learn about protecting the ocean during an 1851 Trust activity.Getty Images

The first time Middleton ever wore shorts on an official royal engagement was just a few years ago for a 2019 boat regatta — it marked the first time she was spotted in the style in public since 2008.

This time she didn’t let decades go by before opting for a khaki pair at another boating race during the family’s Caribbean tour earlier this year.

On Sunday, Middleton added her beloved white canvas Superga trainers ($65) and gold chain hoop earrings by Orelia London ($23) to her look, joining famed Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie on behalf of the athlete’s 1851 Trust charity, of which she serves as patron.

Middleton pulled her back in a ponytail for the race, wearing a full wetsuit.Getty Images

Later in the event, she donned a wetsuit, Adidas sneakers, a GBR Sail GP team cap ($40) and SunGod Sierra sunglasses in the limited-edition Great Britain Sail GP style ($110) to join athletes for a friendly race against New Zealand.

Middleton — who is an accomplished sailor herself — helped the Great Britain team to beat their Commonwealth rivals before the final day of the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth.

Sporty Kate added a helmet and headset to her outfit as she helped to steer the Team GB foiling catamaran to victory.Getty Images

She made a quick change after her team’s win, wearing a white tee and Team GB windbreaker — and even put on a second pair of shorts, this time opting for navy Helly Hanson hiking shorts ($53, originally $75).

The Duchess of Cambridge switched from her Adidas back into the Supergas and kept the hat, smiling as she accepted a bouquet of flowers from a young girl after the victorious race.

The duchess was presented with a bouquet of flowers after her team win. Getty Images