It's not exactly the sport of kings - and if Kate Middleton's expression was anything to go by it's hardly suitable for a future princess either.

Prince William's girlfriend looked positively squeamish as the couple attended the Boodles Boxing Ball to watch their close friend James 'The Badger' Meade fight in an amateur charity bout.

Miss Middleton was on the edge of her seat at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel as she watched the three-round contest which sadly ended in defeat for her chum.

Dressed in a stunning pink satin dress, daringly slashed to the navel, 26-year-old Miss Middleton faced tough competition in the fashion stakes from the other Princess-in-waiting Chelsy Davy.

Dazzling: A glamourous Kate Middleton grimaced ring side as she attended the Boodles Boxing Ball

A rather more reserved Chelsy Davy arrived in a blue dress to watch the match at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel

In a skin-tight blue ruffled dress, Prince Harry's girlfriend Miss Davy, looked equally as eye-catching and has obviously gone some way in recent months to appear more glamorous.

However Miss Davy was slightly more reserved in her support of Mr Meade, a classmate of William at Eton, in comparison to the more expressive Miss Middleton who grinned, grimaced and one point even put her hands over her face as he took a particularly eye-watering punch.

Squeamish: Kate looked like she could hardly bear to watch as friend James Meade took a punch

Even Army officer William, who is currently on attachment with the Royal Navy and
spent the day with the notoriously tough Royal Marines on Friday, looked to wince.

The couple, who are widely expected to announce their engagement next year, were accompanied by a host of friends including 'court jester' Guy Pelly, Thomas van Straubenzee and budding tycoon Jamie Murray Wells.

Miss Middleton was seen laughing and joking with Jecca Craig, William's Kenyan-born ex whose boyfriend, Hugh Crossley, was also on the society fight programme. He lost, too.

James 'The Badger' Mead, an Eton friend of Prince William, took part in The Boodles Boxing Ball, in aid of Starlight Children's Foundation

Glamorous couple: Kate wore a daring pink dress which was slashed to the navel

William, who allegedly had a teenage romance with the brunette beauty, recently chose to see her brother marry in Africa rather than attend the wedding of his cousin, Peter Phillips.

But by the look of things there is no animosity between the two young women.

At the adjoining table Prince Harry and the Zimbabwean-born Miss Davy swigged champagne with friends including Holly Branson, daughter of tycoon Sir Richard.

The couple, who have been dating for almost four years, have had their ups and downs but appear to have patched up their differences since Harry, 23, returned from fighting in Afghanistan in March.

Miss Davy, who has just finished her first year studying for a postgraduate law degree at Leeds University, affectionately rested her arm on Harry's shoulder as they watched the boxing intently and at one point appeared to be praying.

The charity evening - which raised more than £100,000 for Starlight, which organises treats for seriously and terminally ill children - ended with dancing until 3am to music provided by DJ Rusty Egan.

According to fellow-guests, Miss Middleton and William were particularly enthusiastic, hitting the dancefloor time and again in between knocking back shots of Ivan The Terrible Vodka.

Organiser Charlie Gilkes said: 'It was a great night and a wonderful way to raise money for seriously-ill children. Fortunately there were no knockouts and all the fighters walked away at the end.'

Punched out: Prince Harry and Chelsy watch the action at the charity event

Close couple: Harry and Chelsy appeared relaxed and seemed to enjoy the ceremonies

Enthusiastic: Onlookers said the Royal couple hit the dance floor at the charity event