Prince William's Ski Races

Britain's Prince William and girlfriend Kate Middleton challenged each other to a race in the French Alps yesterday (19.03.10).

The heir to the British throne is currently holidaying in the ski resort of Courcheval with his long-term girlfriend Kate and her parents Carol and Mike and in some private time together yesterday (18.03.10) the pair enjoyed an off-piste picnic organised by the prince.

Later in the day they enjoyed a meal at a restaurant, where an onlooker heard William jokingly refer to Mike as "dad".

A friend said: "I don't think I have ever seen them so in love."

The prince is believed to have been encouraged by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth to keep a low profile while on holiday as she doesn't want the royal family to be seen enjoying luxury holidays while the UK is suffering financially.

However, he has made sure he hasn't scrimped on price, and he and Kate have an upmarket chalet in the resort.

A source added: "William has booked a chalet which is out of this world. It's not the place they usually stay, but William has decided he wants to do something different."