THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will officially start the Tour de France at Harewood House, host of the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, on Saturday July 5.

Their Royal Highnesses will meet the competitors as they line up at the steps of Harewood House for the Ceremonial Start, and will officially get the race underway. The news comes as Yorkshire gears up to host the first two stages of the most famous bike race in the world in just 9 days time.

David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood said: “I’m delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are coming to Yorkshire for Le Grand Départ. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming them to Harewood for the first time, to attend the Ceremonial Start and to visit our Festival of Cycling. I’m sure the many thousands who will be here will give them a wonderful Yorkshire welcome!”

Taking place throughout the Grand Depart weekend from 4th - 6th July 2014, the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling is set to be the biggest celebration of cycling that Yorkshire has ever seen, with thousands set to attend and to watch the Tour first hand as the peloton rides through Harewood’s grounds.

Guests will enjoy a true Festival atmosphere with camping, hospitality, live entertainment and participation events in the grounds. In addition to the Royal visit, the Festival weekend will welcome The Red Arrows fly-past just as the Tour gets underway and The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight the following day featuring the rare sight of a WWII Spitfire, Hurricane, and Lancaster.

To avoid queuing, Festival tickets are available to purchase online until midday on Thursday 3rd July. Festival day tickets and car parking can also be bought upon arrival for both Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July.

For more information on the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, please visit www.harewood.org or www.festivalofcycling.org.