Le Grand Depart - royal style

The Tour de France has had a royal send off as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry officially started the race.  Le Grand Depart for the 101st Tour was in Yorkshire and the royals met the riders at Harewood House, just outside Leeds, for the big moment.

The Duchess of Cambridge does the honours as the Tour de France gets under way in Yorkshire

William, Kate and Harry watched the riders zoom past before they stopped just in front of Harewood House.  

William, Kate and Harry at Harewood House

After both the French and British national anthems were played, the royals made their way to the start line to greet some of the race's organisers and officials looking after Le Grand Depart.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the start line of the Tour de France

And then it was down to the duchess to get the world's most famous cycling race under way.  As William and Harry held the ribbon steady, Kate wielded the royal scissors and cut the tape that got the Tour de France officially under way.

Chris Froome, winner of the 100th Tour de France, leads the riders out at the start of race number 101

There will be more royal involvement in the Tour through the day but for now after a regal Grand Depart in the heart of Yorkshire.