Prince William and Kate Middleton have been the target of tabloids this week as it was rumored that the Duchess of Cambridge had indulged in a 'flirt fest' with UK's premiere sailors, Sir Ben Ainslie.

What's more nasty is that the flirting took part in front of Prince William while the A-list couple attended the Portsmouth's leg of the America's Cup on 24 July.

"Kate is like a giddy schoolgirl around Ben... She totally adores him. [Middleton] toyed with her hair and batted her eyelashes, while her husband stood by, looking a bit like a third wheel," a source said.

The alleged 'flirt fest' actually sprouted from the Duke and Duchess appearance in the sports event where they cheered for Ainslie's Land Rover BAR team. Later on, reports are generated that Kate's actions went beyond cheering as she is seen 'all aglow and couldn't wipe the smile off her face.'

The source close to the trio also noticed that Prince William "toyed with her hair and batted her eyelashes, while her husband stood.'

It was said that Middleton and Ben of Ainslie's 'sparks' have developed way before this year's America's Cup series and has started since the  2012 summer Olympics in London, a lucky year for Ainslie as he got a gold.

They flirted again in May when the Duchess met him while for a training ride in his new boat.

"[Ainslie] really floats her boat."

This report, however, was immediately debunked as merely 'fabricated' and although, Kate Middleton has been a lover for sailing but 'the Duchess has a greater love for husband Prince William.'

Also, the sailor has been busy in keeping her marriage with his wife,  Georgie Thompson and their first child, Bellatrix.

Meanwhile, the Royal couple will be touring Canada this fall. The trip is said to be their second time since their last visit in 2011.

"The duke and duchess are delighted to be returning to Canada. They hold very happy memories from their visit in 2011-their first overseas tour as a married couple. They are really looking forward to seeing other parts of this beautiful country and having the opportunity to meet many more Canadians along the way," goes an announcement from the Kensington Palace.