The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went head to head with their sporting rivalry today at the England vs Wales match at Twickenham, taking Prince George along with them, who admitted he has “tackled” his mother playing rugby.
Kate, the new patron of the Rugby Football Union, and William, patron of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016, showed their support for the opposing teams, donning England and Wales scarves for the Six Nations clash.
The Queen recently gave Kate the RFU and Rugby Football League patronages, roles formerly held by the Duke of Sussex before he quit royal duties in 2020.
During her first engagement earlier this month with members of the England teams, Kate said of her rivalry with William: “We’re terribly competitive.
The fact we’re now supporting two different teams is going to make things interesting.” She also revealed that Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3, were “all enjoying” playing rugby, with Louis adopting a “kamikaze” style of play with his siblings.
Before the match, William, 39 and Kate, 40 were welcomed to the stadium by Jeff Blackett, president of the RFU and Gerald Davies, president of the Welsh Rugby Union. William wore a navy suit and clutched a red Wales scarf while Kate sported a black and white checked coat over trousers, and held an England scarf with her bag.
George appeared to be maintaining a diplomatic stance, with his red and blue puffa jacket free from any England or Wales symbols.
Before kick-off, the Cambridges met representatives of the RFU’s community and grass roots game, volunteers and RFU council members including Joe Bedford and Commander Kirsty Marlor, who represents the Navy on the RFU Council.
“It’s a big game,” William said, keeping a protective arm on George’s shoulders as he encouraged the young prince to “shake hands”. William said: “We’re excited. It’s just so good to be back, it’s been quite weird watching games, and football, without the fans.”
Asked whether George would be supporting his mother or father’s team today, the young prince shrugged his shoulders and smiled at William, who laughed: “It’s become quite the thing in the house,” pointing at his wife, adding: “She is quite into it, I’m trying to stay out of it.”
Kate then asked George to tell the group about how he has started playing rugby at his school, Thomas’s Battersea: “He has all the kit,” she said. George spoke about how he has just started learning how to tackle, before turning to his mother: “But I haven’t tackled you yet!” Kate replied, laughing: “Yes you have!”
Earlier this month, at her first engagement as the RFU patron, Kate was presented with mini England kits and referee whistles for her children and told the group that Louis was particularly thrilled with the gifts: “Louis loves the kit and he took the whistle into his PE lesson.”
Speaking after meeting the Cambridges, Commander Marlor said of George: “I get the impression he’s yet to choose a team. I asked him which position he plays but I don’t think he’s got one yet.
“It is such an honour to have them all here today supporting the teams and a fantastic surprise to see George. The duchess was talking about how interested she is in the community game, which is so great to hear.
Kate is an avid rugby fan and grew up watching England games with her family, long before her 2011 marriage to William, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union. She has continued enjoying international games and in 2015, attended the rugby World Cup hosted by England. Two years later, she was visibly gripped by the tense France vs Wales Six Nations match, during an official visit to Paris, where Wales were narrowly beaten.
It came as the Cambridges issued a rare personal joint message of support to the President and people of Ukraine on Twitter : “In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future. Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future. W&C.”
