Kate’s silly side shines through

She’s the future Queen of England, but the Duchess of Cambridge proved she’s not afraid to let her hair down and have some fun.

Kate spent yesterday afternoon playing sport with disadvantaged children in Mumbai and didn’t let her airs and graces – or sky-high heels – get in the way of having a seriously good time.

Despite her unsuitable attire – a dress by local Mumbai designer Anita Dongre and her trademark wedges – the Duchess ran, jumped, playing cricket and kicked a soccer ball like a pro.

Here are some of the best shots of Kate getting down and dirty in India.

She really got into the spirit of the activities!

Kate played with kids from the local Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep charities.

William was better than Kate at soccer, but Kate had the distinct disadvantage of high heels!

Kate shone on the cricket pitch, facing balls from cricket legend Sachin Tendulker and even hitting a six!

William and Kate both appeared to be having a ball.

William and Kate also saw the extremes of life in India on a visit to a slum beside one of Mumbai’s wealthiest areas.

William challenged one boy, who has graduated from the teeming alleys to become a dancer in a Bollywood movie, to a hip hop dancing competition – but then chickened out despite Kate’s chiding.

They toured the 12th century Banganga Water Tank in the Malabar Hill area of Mumbai where more than 10,000 people live in 1,500 tiny breezeblock two-storey huts crammed into narrow alleyways beside one of the wealthiest districts of the city of 20 million.

The couple chose to visit the slum to meet representatives of a charity called SMILE that focuses on giving skills and opportunities to young people and their parents.