The Princess of Wales will make her first independent royal appearance of 2026 this Thursday when she welcomes the victorious England Women’s Rugby squad to Windsor Castle.
Kate, 44, is set to host a reception honouring the team’s triumph at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, which took place in September.
The engagement gives the princess bragging rights over her husband Prince William in their ongoing sporting rivalry.
Kate has served as patron of the Rugby Football Union since 2022, having taken on the role following the redistribution of Prince Harry’s former patronages after he and Meghan Markle stepped back as working royals.
The Princess of Wales will make her first independent royal appearance of 2026 this Thursday when she welcomes the victorious England Women’s Rugby squad to Windsor Castle.
|
GETTY
The squad, led by captain Zoe Aldcroft, will receive a tour of the historic royal residence before their audience with the princess.
During the reception, players and coaching staff will have the opportunity to present Kate with the Rugby World Cup trophy.
The visit will conclude with a group photograph featuring the entire team alongside their patron.
England’s women currently sit atop the global rankings, having secured their World Cup victory last autumn.
Kate, 44, is set to host a reception honouring the team’s triumph at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, which took place in September.
|
GETTY
Wales, by contrast, endured a disappointing tournament, failing to progress beyond the pool stage and now occupying 12th position in the world standings.
The competing patronages create a playful tension between the royal couple, with Kate championing England while William backs the Welsh Rugby Union.
Their sporting allegiances saw them attend different matches on the same day during last year’s World Cup, with the princess cheering England against Australia whilst her husband supported Wales in their fixture against Fiji.
With England reigning as world champions and Wales languishing eight places below them in the rankings, Kate currently enjoys the upper hand in this lighthearted domestic competition.
During the reception, players and coaching staff will have the opportunity to present Kate with the Rugby World Cup trophy.
|
GETTY
Kate’s rugby credentials have received approval from the Royal Family’s resident expert, Mike Tindall, who won the 2003 World Cup during his 11-year England career.
When the princess attended a training session at Twickenham Stadium in 2022 to launch her patronage, Tindall’s podcast co-host Alex Payne observed: “She looks a more natural rugby player than both of you put together.”
Tindall confessed he had sought criticism of Kate’s performance for the family WhatsApp group but was told “she was actually pretty good, and she was really good at kicking.”
He added: “She has this competitive nature.”