The Princess of Wales celebrated a triumphant win as England’s rugby team emerged victorious in a tremendous 68-14 win against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff today.
Kate, 43, patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and Prince William, 42, who has been patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) since 2016, were both in attendance at the highly anticipated rugby game – each backing the opposing sides.
While the rivalry on the pitch was long-standing and deep-rooted between the two sporting squads from either side of the Severn Bridge, the competition between Prince William and Princess Catherine was likely more friendly in nature.
In what could be construed as a show of friendship in the sport, the Wales’s were sat between Rob Udwin, president of England’s RFU, and Terry Cobner, president of the WRU, with both royals positioned next to the head of their respective patronage.
And while Kate was spotted beaming as the English side continued grow their record-breaking win, empty seats began to emerged across the venue, which hold 74,500, as soured Welsh fans could no longer take no more.
Echos of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ roared in the Welsh capital as the English side closed out the game with another try, leaving Welsh fans disappointed following a less than fruitful Six Nations performance.
This will be Wales’s second wooden spoon in a row after conceding the biggest score they ever have in Cardiff, losing by more than when they lost by 55 points against New Zealand on their home turf in 2022.
While Kate beamed following the win posing with members of the crowd for selfies, Prince William appeared slightly more sombre as he donned his bright red scarf matching same shade as the strip worn by the Welsh rugby team.
Kate was beaming following England’s triumphant win in Cardiff today against Wales, whilst Prince William donning a red scarf backing the Welsh side appeared more sombre
Princess Catherine posing up with members of the crowd for a selfie after the English squad secures a 68-14 win at today’s Six Nations match
Echos of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ roared in the Welsh capital as the English side closed out the game with another try (Pictured: A smiling Princess Kate alongside Prince William)
Mid-match the couple stood as the tense match ensued between the rivalling sides at the Principality Staidum
Ahead of the match, the Prince and Princess of Wales met injured players who are supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
The royals chatted with injured players inside the Sir Tasker Watkins Suite, a space at the Principality Stadium which is dedicated for use by the players and their families ahead of matches.
The beaming couple looked animated as they spoke to injured players – both in overcoats for the chilly Cardiff weather – which sat at a chilly 7C – before taking their seats for the match.
William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, which was set up to help players who have been severely injured while playing rugby in Wales, and their loved ones, inviting them to every Wales home game and hosting an annual family day.
They officially opened the suite, named after a former Welsh Lord Chief Justice and World War II veteran who was later president of of the Welsh Rugby Union, prior to attending England and Wales’ previous Six Nations clash on February 25.
Kate took over the role with the RFU from her brother-in-law Prince Harry in 2022, who was forced to give up the patronage as part of the Megxit agreement.
The Princess of Wales, who grew up watching rugby with her family, is known as one of the sportiest members of the Royal Family, and has gamely taken on her husband in everything from dragon boating to wind buggy racing at royal engagements.
She has played tennis and hockey from a young age and is already royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and is a frequent visitor to the Wimbledon Championships.
William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union while Kate is patron of the Rugby Football Union representing English clubs – pitting them head-to-head tonight
Kate was glowing as she spoke to injured players in the care of the Welsh Rugby Charity Trust – yet another public engagement as she returns to royal duties after being treated for cancer
William and Kate pictured on Saturday ahead of the Six Nations – during which they will root for opposing sides
William and Kate seen in the crowd at Principality Stadium for the England v Wales Six Nations match – where they are unlikely rivals.
Rob Udwin and Kate are all smiles as England continue their strong lead on Wales, whilst Cobner and William appear dejected
While her love and passion for hockey has been well publicised, less well known is her family’s love of rugby.
Her sister, Pippa, wrote in Vanity Fair magazine in 2014: ‘Rugby was a big thing for our family, we’d plan our weekends around the big matches.’
In the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential podcast, Jo Elvin joked that the Wales family ‘may need a referee in house’ for the game – which forms part of the Six Nations Championship.
It’s unclear whether the royal children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – are also split on which team they support: Wales for William, or England for Kate.
In fact, on Mike Tindall‘s podcast The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, Prince William did joke that the question of which team the children support has become ‘quite the thing’ at home.
He said: ‘It’s become quite the thing in the house. [Catherine] is quite into it. I’m trying to stay out of it.’
Previously in 2023, William remarked it would be a ‘tense journey home’ with his wife after a Six Nations Wales v England match in Cardiff.
It’s thought that George, Charlotte and Louis will watch the game in Windsor today.
The Princess of Wales is grinning from ear to ear as England continue their strong lead against the Welsh side
Prince William and WRU President Mr Cobner appear to be having a serious conversation as Wales fall behind in points today at Cardiff
Prince William and Princess Catherine pose with Leif Thobroe (pictured right) ahead of today’s Six Nations match
The Princess of Wales is glowing ahead of today’s showdown between Wales and England as she met injured players supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust
The Princess of Wales is seen laughing as she speaks with injured rugby players ahead of tonight’s Wales v England Six Nations match
The pair greeted injured players supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust at Principality Stadium ahead of tonight’s match
The charismatic royal couple are all smiles as they chat with the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust
The pair were sat between Rob Udwin, president of the RFU (left) and Terry Cobner, president of the Welsh Rugby Union (right)
The couple appear stoic as the game ensues between the opposing sides, sitting in between former Lion’s player Cobner and Rob Udwin
Prince William adjusts his red scarg as the tense rugby match continues
Kate is gradually returning to public duties after revealing she is in remission from cancer.
She is also set to appear at an engagement with the Irish Guards on St Patrick’s Day in London on Monday.
William’s love of various sport has also been well-documented, famously, a huge fan of Aston Villa after being taken to matches as a youngster.
He told the BBC in 2015 that he didn’t want to follow ‘run of the mill teams’ such as Chelsea and Manchester United like his classmates.
The Prince, who is also patron of the Football Association, told the broadcaster: ‘I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional roller-coaster moments.’
William has also been showcasing his respect and love for Welsh culture in his role as the Prince of Wales whilst delivering his St David’s Day message entirely in the country’s native language on March 1.
Prince William’s sporting pedigree has been proven through a lifelong commitment to Aston Villa (pictured earlier this week at Villa Park)
He is, however, taking his role as Prince of Wales very seriously – committing himself to learning Welsh with help from language app Duolingo
Kate has always been keen to get stuck into her role as patron of the Rugby Football Union (seen here at Twickenham in February 2022)
Kate takes part in rugby drills at Maidenhead Rugby Club in June 2023 – as one of the unarguably sportiest members of the royal family
He revealed last year that he had been using Duolingo to practice whilst on the go since he was named Prince of Wales in 2022 the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
Tonight’s clash comes after Ireland narrowly won 22-17 against Italy earlier today- a week on from their crushing defeat at the hands of France.
As it stands, England remains in contention for the title but need a win tonight and for France to go down against Scotland.
Scotland and France are set to face off at Stade de France in Paris at 8pm today.
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