Hundreds of thousands of spectators already lining the route of stage two of the Tour de France are digesting the news that British favourite Mark Cavendish is out of this year's race following his dramatic crash.
Cavendish's Omega Pharma-QuickStep team confirmed the "Manx Missile" will not be in the saddle today for the Tour's second day in Yorkshire - a 201km ride from York to Sheffield.
Yesterday's opening stage, which was watched by more than a million people, reached a spectacular climax when Cavendish came to grief almost within sight of the finish line in Harrogate - his mother's home town.
Mark Cavendish speaking to the press on day two of the Tour de France, after his dramatic crash yesterday
Thousands of spectators, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prime Minister David Cameron, were willing the sprint specialist on as he entered the final 300m fighting for position for his trademark last minute attack.
But he crashed as his mother, Adele Towns, watched from the stands with his step-father, Chris. The VIPs looked as shocked as the masses of cycling fans crowded around the finish line when they heard the news over the speakers.
Cavendish limped over the finish line after his crash
Cavendish was left prone on the ground clutching his shoulder after colliding with fellow competitor Simon Gerrans, injuring a joint between his right shoulder and collarbone.
He later said he was "gutted" and apologised, saying the crash was his fault.
William, Kate and Harry watched the end of the race together, before presenting the jerseys to the winning riders. Earlier, Kate had started the race at Harewood House, near Leeds, when the royal party chatted to Cavendish and other British riders.
Tour De France: Leeds To Harrogate
Tour De Yorkshire
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(01 of81)
Australia's Simon Gerrans and Britain's Mark Cavendish fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LIONEL BONAVENTURE via Getty Images)
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Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
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Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(04 of81)
Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(05 of81)
Britain's Mark Cavendish, injured, crosses the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LIONEL BONAVENTURE via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(06 of81)
Britain's Mark Cavendish, injured, crosses the finish line after a fall at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014-PODIUM-ROYALS(07 of81)
Germany's Marcel Kittel celebrates his overall leader yellow jersey, received from Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R), Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (2ndR), and Prince Harry (L), on the podium at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / ERIC FEFERBERG (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ERIC FEFERBERG via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(08 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Marcel Kittel of Germany and Team Giant-Shimano is awarded the points leader's green jersey by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) after Kittel won stage one of the 2014 Tour de France from Leeds to Harrogate on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (credit:Doug Pensinger via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(09 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Jens Voigt of Germany and Trek Factory Racing takes the podium and is awarded the king of the mountains polka dot hersey by Prince Harry (R) after stage one of the 2014 Tour de France from Leeds to Harrogate on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (credit:Doug Pensinger via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(10 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Marcel Kittel of Germany and Giant Shimano celebrates winning stage one as Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and William Duke of Cambridge look on during the 2014 Tour de France, a 190km stage between Leeds and Harrogate, on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) (credit:Bryn Lennon via Getty Images)
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge And Prince Harry Attend The Tour De France Grand Depart(11 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge pose with the winner of the overall race leader's yellow jersey Marcel Kittel of Germany and Team Giant-Shimano after he won stage one and claimed the over race lead in the 2014 Tour de France from Leeds to Harrogate on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. Spectators and residents prepare themselves and gather on the streets as they get ready to watch Stage 1 of the Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. The world's greatest cycle race, the Tour de France starts for the first time in its history in Yorkshire this weekend. The event is expected to bring thousands of cycling fans to the region. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(12 of81)
Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014-LINE(13 of81)
Germany's Marcel Kittel celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Slovakia's Peter Sagan (R) at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / ERIC FEFERBERG (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ERIC FEFERBERG via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014-LINE(14 of81)
Germany's Marcel Kittel (L) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Slovakia's Peter Sagan (C-R) at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / ERIC FEFERBERG (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ERIC FEFERBERG via Getty Images)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(15 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge talk to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (2nd right, partially obscured) attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(16 of81)
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(17 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(18 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge attends the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(19 of81)
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(20 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge talk to crowds along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(21 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave to the crowds gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(22 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to members of the public, gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(23 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to children gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(24 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave to the crowds gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(25 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(26 of81)
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(27 of81)
The Duke (partially obscured) and Duchess of Cambridge attends the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(28 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(29 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(30 of81)
Prince Harry talks to the crowd at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(31 of81)
The of Cambridge talks to cyclist Mark Cavendish at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(32 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to World Champion cyclist Rui Costa at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(33 of81)
The of Cambridge talks to cyclist Mark Cavendish at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(34 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to World Champion cyclist Rui Costa at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(35 of81)
The Red Arrows perform a flypast during the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(36 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge rider Geraint Thomas (centre left) as rider Mark Cavendish (front) looks on at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(37 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with Prince Harry pose for a picture in front of the Peleton at Harewood House, Leeds, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Ireland/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(38 of81)
Gary Verity (second right) and Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour during the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014 in Leeds. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(39 of81)
Riders in the Tour de France head past The Headrow in Leeds during the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(40 of81)
Riders in the Tour de France head past The Headrow in Leeds during the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(41 of81)
The ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014 in Leeds. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(42 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(43 of81)
Mark Cavendish (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(44 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(45 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(46 of81)
Crowds wait for the riders to arrive near Reeth as stage one of the Tour de France passes over the Grinton Moor, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Goode/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(47 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(48 of81)
Team SKY riders Geraint Thomas (left) and Bernhard Eisel are surrounded by cycling fans in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(49 of81)
Crowds wait for the riders to arrive near Reeth as stage one of the Tour de France passes over the Grinton Moor, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Goode/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(50 of81)
England Rugby coach Stuart Lancaster (centre), joins cycling fans in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(51 of81)
Arthen (left) and Lilwen Banning draw Cav with chalk on the road leading upto the finish Line, before stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(52 of81)
Arthen (right) and Lilwen Banning draw Cav with chalk on the road leading upto the finish Line, before stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(53 of81)
Crowds wait for the riders to arrive near Reeth as stage one of the Tour de France passes over the Grinton Moor, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Goode/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(54 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(55 of81)
A dog is dressed in a yellow jersey in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Ian Parker/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(56 of81)
Cricketer Timothy Bresnan (centre) holds a yellow balloon as he joins cycling fans in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(57 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Francesca Nelson/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(58 of81)
Spectators arrive by bike and on foot to watch as stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(59 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(60 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(61 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(62 of81)
Cycling enthusiasts dressed as onion sellers ahead of stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(63 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Emma Sword/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(64 of81)
Cycling enthusiasts dressed as onion sellers ahead of stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(65 of81)
Cycling enthusiasts dressed as onion sellers ahead of stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(66 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds as the tour caravan sets off ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Teilo Colley/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(67 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(68 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(69 of81)
Mike King (left) with wife Frances and sons Oliver (centre) and James take their position near the finish line before the finish of stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(70 of81)
Emma Lightbody (left) and Hilary Dugdale take their position near the finish line before the finish of stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(71 of81)
Chris Froome fans arrive in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(72 of81)
A young Tour Maker in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(73 of81)
People arrive in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(74 of81)
People arrive in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France Preview - Day Five(75 of81)
A sign for Paris on the Pennine hilltops near Reeth ahead of Stage 1 of the Tour de France between Leeds and Harrogate. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(76 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Fans cheer the Welcome to Yorkshire caravan on Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(77 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Fans dressed as French men greet each other on Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(78 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The riders climb up Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(79 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The riders climb up Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge And Prince Harry Attend The Tour De France Grand Depart(80 of81)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JULY 5: The peloton arrives at Harewood House before the start of the start of the Tour de France on July 5, 2014 near Leeds, England. (Photo by Asadour Guzelian - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(81 of81)
Riders wait for the start of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images)
They looked shocked when the commentator announced Cavendish's fall and even more so when he limped back across the line, clearly in pain.
Only half an hour before, the royal trio had been chatting to Cavendish's mother who was a guest in the royal area.
Kate Middleton reacts to Cavendish crashing
Grand Depart organisers Tdfhu2014ltd said "well over" a million people lined the streets of Yorkshire yesterday for stage one amid jubilant scenes as crowds flocked from all over the country to get a glimpse of the 198 racers passing through the county's striking scenery.
Initial estimates suggested there were 230,000 spectators in the centre of Leeds and more than 10,000 watched the riders on the steep climb over the Buttertubs pass.
Crowds have already gathered along the whole of the route of today's stage which starts at the racecourse in York before moving through the historic city centre, passing many of the city's famous landmarks.
The riders then head for the hills and some classic British climbs, including Holme Moss and Cragg Vale.
They will also tackle some less than classic ascents - such as Jenkin Road in suburban Sheffield - in a route which has been described as one of the toughest opening stages in the history of the race.
Other highlights include the cobbles of the picture-postcard High Street of Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters.
The finish line is outside Sheffield Arena, leaving the teams with easy access to the M1 and day three - the Cambridge to London stage on Monday.