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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Kate Middleton is thrown into training at Twickenham on her first job as rugby patron

The Duchess of Cambridge was straight into training today on her first outing as patron of the Rugby Football League and Union.

Kate arrived at Twickenham this morning looking sporty in a tracksuit emblazoned with the England rugby badge and trainers, with her hair tied back in a ponytail.

She then swapped into rugby boots and joined England players and officials on the ground's hallowed turf for a training session ahead of their first Six Nations match on Saturday.

Kate could be seen running with the ball before throwing her hands in the air and cheering as she scored a try. The players even lifted her up as she went to grab the ball in a lineout and she also took part in a scrum.

Kate Middleton takes part in a training session at Twickenham this morning (Getty Images)
Kate looked delighted as she was hoisted into the air (Getty Images)

Beforehand she was presented with mini England rugby kits for her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Kate revealed just this morning that she had taken on the two royal rugby roles, which were previously held by Prince Harry.

He had to give them up when he and wife Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals.

Kate seemed keen to show off her skills (Getty Images)
Kate scores a try at Twickenham (PA)

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Kate had been tipped to take on both jobs and confirmed her new duties in a video, which shows her throwing a rugby ball to different players. At one point even spins the ball on her finger.

In a personal message, Kate said: "I am so thrilled to become Patron of the Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union – two fantastic organisations who are committed to harnessing the power that sport can have in bringing communities together and helping individuals flourish.

Kate grabs the other players' shoulders as she tries out a scrum (Getty Images)
Kate was light on her feet as she tried to dodge the other players in training (REUTERS)

"I look forward to working with them across all levels of the games, and to cheering England on in what promises to be an exciting year for both sports! C."

Her new job also means there will be plenty of rivalry during this year’s Six Nations championship with her husband Prince William, who is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Harry, a keen rugby fan who also previously played the sport, was vice-patron of the RFU from 2010 to 2016 before taking over from the Queen as patron.

Kate is known to be a huge sports fan (PA)
Kate looked sporty in a tracksuit and trainers (PA)

The 95-year-old monarch also handed him the patronage of the RFL in 2016 and he carried out the draw for the World Cup in January 2020 at the height of the "Megxit" saga.

According to a source some suspect the Queen didn't want to risk antagonising her grandson by appointing a new patron straight away after it was taken from him.

"People just tread a bit carefully when it comes to them," said a Daily Mail source.

But with the Six Nations Championship imminent, the need for a figurehead was said to be "pressing".

Tennis and hockey player Kate sailed from a young age and has long championed the physical and mental benefits of sports.

She is already patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Croquet Club, the Lawn Tennis Association, SportsAid and the 1851 Trust, which works with young people.

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