The cross-Channel dragon boat race between a team of upmarket women — The Sisterhood — and a group of monkish men — The Brotherhood — was won decisively by the men, despite their veering off course for part of the way.

The Sisterhood begin their challenge

Prince William’s girlfriend, Kate Middleton, was forced to pull out of the race earlier because of security fears.

By chance, it was possibly the best conditions of the summer on the treacherous English Channel, renowned for its tidal rips, deadly shoals and deceptive sandbanks. The calm waters allowed the men to post a scintillating time of 3 hours and 31 minutes, smashing the previous record.

The ladies set off in near mill pond conditions and were heartened to hear the men had lost their way. However, they encountered choppy conditions approaching France and were nearly sunk by water surging over the sides of their flat-bottomed boat. Had the Channel been anywhere near its normal self, it’s doubtful whether either team would have made it to Gallic shores.

But make it they did, although bested by a team of very strong and experienced rowers. A commendable performance by both crews, raising around £100,000 ($200,000) for charity.

But what if Kate had been there at the helm of the ladies’ boat? Royal Anecdotes has no doubts that The Sisterhood would have triumphed.

It sounds like a religious order. It may even be a secret society. But a group of nuns it certainly isn’t. Self-denying ordinances are no part of this deal.

Kate Middleton rowing with The Sisterhood

I refer, of course, to The Sisterhood, a gang of doughty — even hearty — females set to challenge a throng of even heartier males in a cross-channel rowing race on August 25.

Kate Middleton was apparently persuaded to join the crew by Sisterhood member Alicia Fox-Pitt, a friend from their schooldays at Marlborough College.

Although Kate is a qualified sailor, Prince William’s girlfriend still had to earn her place in the team. Crew leader Emma Sayle remarked, “I had recruited friends from school and university. One of those was Alicia who suggested that Kate would be perfect. She was sporty at school. But it wasn’t a question of ‘Oh, she’s Kate Middleton so she makes the team’. She has had to prove herself. We launched the challenge in November, and Kate joined in April. Our coach said she could join only if she was up to it.”

The picture proves that if nothing else.