The Princess of Wales possesses a profound affection for the sport of rugby and is unquestionably poised to tune in for the Rugby World Cup final scheduled for Saturday evening.
Regrettably, England’s journey to the final was thwarted after their exit from the tournament at the hands of South Africa.
In her capacity as the patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League, Kate graced two of England’s matches in France.
This noble matriarch assumed these roles succeeding her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, in the year 2022.
Shortly following her appointment, Kate actively engaged in a rigorous training session alongside the England rugby team at Twickenham Stadium.
Moreover, in June of 2023, the Princess engaged in a game of rugby with England’s celebrated athletes, Courtney Lawes and Danny Care, at the Maidenhead Rugby Club, as part of her Shaping Us campaign.
Peruse our gallery for a glimpse of the Princess in action on the rugby pitch, showcasing her remarkable prowess.
Kate, bedecked in a sable England rugby jersey, ebony sportswear leggings, and trainers, was inquired if she was prepared for her impending session upon her arrival at Twickenham.
The Duchess of Cambridge, at that time, responded with assurance, “Without a doubt. I am fully attired in my sporting attire.”
As she set foot on the pitch, she transitioned into a pair of rugby boots.
Subsequent to her rugby escapade, Mike Tindall, Prince William’s kinsman and former England rugby luminary, rendered his verdict on Kate’s athletic skills during a discussion with co-hosts Alex Payne and James Haskell on their podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.
Mike conveyed, “I dispatched a message to Ellis [Genge] and implored him to reveal any missteps she might have committed, so I could, in some way… communicate through our family WhatsApp group, but he responded, ‘No, she exhibited considerable proficiency, particularly in the realm of kicking.’ This left me somewhat crestfallen.”
Alex concurred, asserting, “Her performance appeared remarkably effortless.”
James interjected, expressing his elation, “When her appointment was announced, I was in sheer awe, given our awareness of her evident rugby inclination. However, the adeptness with which she intercepted the ball, executed line-out maneuvers, and performed intricate outside breaks was truly commendable. She proved to be extraordinarily exceptional, an astonishing representative for both sports.”
Mike appended, alluding to Kate’s display, “Imagine, for anyone who has ever attempted a line-out, it’s a formidable task, particularly for those uninitiated, as you are often perilously close to the prop forward. Ordinarily, there is a risk of inadvertent contact with sensitive anatomical regions. Remarkably, her execution appeared devoid of exertion.”
Kate is a well-known devotee of sports and has graced the stadiums of rugby matches within the United Kingdom, in addition to attending the Six Nations tournament in Paris during the year 2017.
In a piece scribed for Vanity Fair in 2014, Pippa Middleton, the Duchess’s younger sibling, authored a narrative elucidating her family’s profound affection for this sport: “Rugby constituted a substantial component of our family life, with international matches assuming a central role, often scheduled for Saturday afternoons. These events were not merely sporting occasions but also social gatherings. We meticulously choreographed our weekends around these significant fixtures, our repasts during half-time or lunch interludes, typically featuring a hearty, comforting dish such as chicken potpie, resplendently emblematic of traditional English fare. In the unfortunate event of a loss, my father would descend into a state of despondency, as if he himself had borne the weight of the defeat.”
