William and Kate bring children to Commonwealth Games netball semi-finals

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay with their three children watching a netball match. Everyone is seated while cheering, apart from a blonde woman on the far right of the photo who is standing with her arms in the air. She appears to be cheering loudly. — Image caption,

Shock, applause and a great deal of excitement in the stands during Saturday’s netball semi-final between England and New Zealand

ByMary McCoolBBC Scotland, Reporting fromGlasgow

The Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children, have joined cheering crowds at the Commonwealth Games netball semi-finals.

Spectators at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro were treated to exhilarating performances during New Zealand’s 61-54 win over England – and when Jamaica later took a narrow 46-45 victory over Australia.

Known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland, the couple also spent time meeting athletes, staff and volunteers during a slightly blustery visit to the venue on the River Clyde.

Princess Catherine and Charlotte also took the time to take photos with the Team Scotland players – who lost to Uganda on Thursday, missing their chance to finish third.

The royal family meet a row of Commonwealth Games volunteers outside the Hydro in Glasgow — Image caption,

Games mascot Finnie gives George and Charlotte a chuckle as the family meet hard-working Games volunteers

The Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, with Princess Charlotte during the netball semi-final match — Image caption,

Princess Catherine and Charlotte watch the action on the court at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro

The Duchess of Rothesay in a crowd watching a netball match - she is smiling and is gazing upwards — Image caption,

Team Scotland’s netball team sat behind the Royal family

The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, (right) with children Prince Louis (left) and Prince George — Image caption,

Prince William chatted animatedly to athletes during the game

Prince William leans in to speak to his sons George and Louis while the family watch a netball match. William points to something above his eyeline while Louis' attention is on his father. George stares straight ahead. — Image caption,

Louis listens intently to his father William, while George’s attention remains on the match

Saturday’s netball results mean Jamaica and New Zealand will battle it out for the gold on Sunday during some of the final medal awards of the tournament.

England will also try to deny Australia a consolation bronze, before teams transform the Hydro from a netball court back to a gig venue for the closing ceremony on Sunday night.

The venue will be turned around in just six hours.

It has been a scaled-down version of the Games, with 215 medals awarded across 10 sports, however it has hosted a record 47 para-sports events.

Glasgow stepped in to host the tournament – for the second time in eight years – when Australian state Victoria pulled out due to soaring costs.

King Charles and Queen Camilla emerged from a Tardis during the spectacular opening ceremony last Thursday.

Flags from 74 nations and territories were carried into the arena during the event, which also featured the Loch Ness monster and performances from Nathan Evans, Tom Walker and KT Tunstall.

Princess Catherine and Charlotte take a photo with the Team Scotland women's netball team — Image caption,

The Duchess and Charlotte post for a photo with the Team Scotland women’s netball team

The royal family stand and applaud along with the rest of a crowd at a netball match

Simple Minds are due to perform at the closing ceremony alongside Scottish performers Cammy Barnes, BEMZ and Sandi Thom.

Organisers say it will “highlight the people who made the Games possible, the pride of the host city and the iconic sporting triumphs”.

The curtain call will also be played out by Highland folk and electronic band Elephant Sessions, while Scottish singer Shereen Cutkelvin will mark the ceremonial flag handover.

Ahmedabad in the west of India is set to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030.

Shankar Mahadevan, one of Bollywood’s greatest vocalists, and actress Rashmika Mandanna are set to take to the stage as the baton is passed over.

Australian artist Delta Goodrem will perform a homage to Scotland at the closing ceremony 20 years after she sang in Melbourne 2006.

Community groups and cultural organisations will also be involved.