Prince William, Kate Middleton stun sports fans at Celtics game

Prince William and Kate Middleton shocked basketball fans when they made a surprise appearance at the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat game Wednesday night.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 40, were received by Wycliffe “Wyc” Grousbeck, lead owner of the Boston Celtics, before sitting courtside.
They were also accompanied by Massachusetts Governor-Elect Maura Healey, as well as Celtics legend Thomas “Satch” Sanders.
The royal couple arrived in town on Wednesday for a three-day trip, which will culminate in The Earthshot Prize ceremony Friday. The Prize was designed to find and grow solutions for global warming.
According to sources, they were eager to meet fans at the game as they took a break from their packed schedule. They were also flashed on the Jumbotron as fans cheered for them.
The two were eager to meet fans during the game. SplashNews.com
During the game, there were nods to the arrival of The Earthshot Prize, including the Celtics’ tradition of recognizing a “Hero Among Us” during each game.
The hero Wednesday night was Ollie Perraul, a 15-year-old climate activist from Easthampton, Mass. She has been a leading member of the Youth Climate Leadership Program since she was 11 and is now the founder and director of Youth Climate Action Now.
Page Six is also told the couple was due to meet representatives of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, which provides grassroots programming and strategic funding to local organizations serving at-risk or at-need folk.
In particular, they were looking forward to learning more about the “Curbside Care” mobile unit, which through a partnership with Boston Medical Center, will provide comprehensive, streamlined care to mothers and infants in the first six weeks of life right at their doorstep.
Middleton and William landed in Boston for the first time since 2014. Getty Images
Earlier today, the royal couple paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II shortly after touching down on American soil. This is the first time they’ve been in the US since 2014.
“Catherine and I are delighted to be back in the United States and are extremely grateful to Gov. Baker and the first lady of Massachusetts for their warm welcome into Boston,” William said during a speech at Boston City Hall.
“On this, our first overseas visit since the death of my grandmother, I would like to thank the people of Massachusetts and particularly of Boston for their many tributes paid to the late Queen. She remembered her 1976 Bicentennial visit with great fondness.”
He continued, “My grandmother was one of life’s optimists. And so am I. That is why last year we launched the Earthshot Prize with the ambition to create a truly global platform to inspire hope and urgent optimism as we look to save the future of our planet.”
William paid tribute to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, during his speech. Getty Images
Their visit comes shortly after William’s godmother, Lady Susan Hussey, stepped down from her royal duties after being accused of racism.
Sistah Space CEO Ngozi Fulani claimed that, during her latest visit to Buckingham Palace, a “Lady SH” had persistently asked her where she came from and what her nationality was.
When Fulani told her that she was born in the UK, Lady SH allegedly said, “No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?”
William and Middleton’s visit comes shortly after his godmother stepped down from his royal duties over a racism scandal. Getty Images
Hussey has since apologized and “stepped aside” from her position.
“We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details,” a spokesperson for the Palace said on Wednesday before calling the remarks “unacceptable and deeply regrettable.”
The Palace has since reached out to Fulani and has invited her “to discuss all elements of her experience in person.”
“All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times,” the spokesperson added.