FROM THE WEBSITE: The Rugby Football Union is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby in England. Its purpose is to encourage rugby, and its values, to flourish across England.
INFORMATION:
— Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge became Patron on February 02, 2022.
— Prince Harry was Patron before stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
QUOTES:
“It is a great honour to welcome The Duchess of Cambridge as our Patron. Our aim is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union, develop the sport for future generations and create a successful thriving game across the country. As rugby clubs have re-opened across the country, players, officials and volunteers are celebrating being back in the game together, and we know the support of The Duchess will be greatly valued from our grassroots clubs and fast-growing women and girls’ game, right up to our elite men’s and women’s England teams.” – RFU CEO Bill Sweeney
EFFORTS:
September 18, 2015 – England v Fiji – Group A: Rugby World – Prince Harry, as Honorary President of England Rugby, delivered a stirring address at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup. He underscored the core values of the sport and revisited one of its defining moments – when Nelson Mandela presented the Webb Ellis Cup to South Africa’s captain, Francois Pienaar, in 1995. The tournament opener between England and Fiji took place at Twickenham Stadium, with the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Additionally, the Duke of Cambridge holds the role of Vice-Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union. Following a grueling 80-minute match, England emerged victorious.
September 26, 2015 – England v Wales – Rugby World Cup – Prince William and Prince Harry supported opposing teams during the Rugby World Cup. William and Catherine enthusiastically backed Wales, with William sporting the team’s iconic red coat and Kate accessorizing with a red scarf. The couple proudly sang the Welsh national anthem at the beginning of the match. In contrast, Prince Harry fervently supported England. William and Kate’s allegiance to Wales can be attributed to the couple’s early years of marriage spent in Anglesey, a picturesque Welsh island in the U.K. Wales achieved a 28-25 victory over England at the Twickenham Stadium in London, making it the most-watched sports event of the year in Britain.
October 10, 2015 – Australia v Wales – Rugby World Cup – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have consistently demonstrated their support for Wales in the Rugby World Cup and appeared visibly affected by their team’s loss. The royal couple displayed genuine enthusiasm while observing their team’s performance at the Australia-Wales match, held at Twickenham Stadium in London. As the vice patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, William and the couple’s enduring support for Wales reflects their deep-rooted connection to the country. Additionally, the couple resided in Anglesey, a north-west Welsh island, during the early years of their marriage, further cementing their ties to Wales.
March 18, 2017 – Paris Tour – Day 2 – Set 1 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the “Les Voisins in Action” event at the Trocadero, providing a platform to emphasize the connections between the youth in France and the UK. During the event, the royal couple engaged with students participating in the British Council’s Somme project, designed to raise awareness about the importance of UK-France relations and the historical significance of World War One. This initiative involves 600 students from England, Ireland, and France. Additionally, the Duke and Duchess interacted with young rugby enthusiasts. They partook in a rugby activity with children and met students from the British School of Paris ahead of the Wales v. France match at the Stade de France.
March 18, 2017 – Paris Tour – Day 2 – Set 2 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the France vs. Wales Six Nations Rugby Match at the Stade de France in Paris, marking the conclusion of a successful two-day visit to the city. During the match, they were seated alongside the President of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Dennis Gethin. It is noteworthy that William holds the position of Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, having transitioned from the role of vice-patron following an appointment by The Queen in December 2016. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge observed the intense competition as Wales faced defeat against France in the closing moments of an unprecedented Six Nations encounter in Paris.
September 29, 2021 – Northern Ireland – City Of Derry Rugby Club – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the City of Derry Rugby Club to engage with players, coaches, and volunteers participating in the ‘Sport Uniting Communities’ program. This initiative, a joint effort between Ulster Rugby, the Irish Football Association, and the Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association, is designed to foster peace and reconciliation. The program leverages the influence of each sport to facilitate meaningful, purposeful, and enduring interaction among individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly across religious lines, culminating in altered perceptions and enhanced relationships. During their time at the City of Derry Rugby Club, Their Royal Highnesses observed young individuals participating in various activities offered through Sport Uniting Communities. Additionally, they listened to insights from young volunteers, staff, and local clubs regarding how the initiative has contributed to integrating communities and individuals from varying backgrounds.
February 02, 2022 – Joining England Rugby Training Session – The Duchess of Cambridge made her inaugural appearance as the new royal patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League by participating in a training session at Twickenham Stadium. During the event, she engaged with male and female players, coaches, and referees as they readied themselves for the Six Nations Championships. Additionally, she actively participated in a field training session under the guidance of head England coach Eddie Jones, notably demonstrating her prowess by engaging in a line-out play, catching the ball with skill, and passing it to a player below. Her impressive performance was met with cheers and applause.
Former professional rugby player Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Tindall, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, publicly praised the Duchess’s abilities on his podcast. He expressed his astonishment at her adeptness, especially in kicking, and noted her competitive nature. “I text Ellis [Genge] and said, ‘Mate, please tell me anything she messed up on,’ so I could sort of… family WhatsApp group, get to her,” Mike quipped. “And he said, ‘No, she was actually pretty good, and she was really good at kicking,’ and I was like [sigh]. But she has this competitive nature.”
Furthermore, the Duchess’s newfound role appears to set the stage for a potentially captivating sporting rivalry within the Cambridge household, as Prince William serves as the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.
February 26, 2022 – England v Wales Six Nations Rugby Match – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the England vs. Wales Six Nations game at Twickenham Stadium, where they supported opposing teams. Prince William has held the patronage of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016, while Catherine recently assumed patronage of the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union. Previously, this role was held by Prince Harry before he stepped down from a senior working royal position, along with his wife Meghan Markle. In addition to the royal couple, Prince George was present, and The Duchess was heard mentioning George’s “rugby tackling” and Louis taking his rugby whistle to the nursery. Prince William discussed the burgeoning team rivalry within their household, expressing his attempt to remain neutral. Mike Tindall, a former professional rugby player married to Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Tindall, later commended Kate’s skills on his podcast and also remarked on the noteworthy team rivalry, describing it as “the battle of the Cambridges” when England plays against Wales.
November 05, 2022 – The England Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final – The Princess of Wales attended the England vs Papua New Guinea Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final in Wigan, Manchester. Ahead of the game, Catherine spoke with representatives from groups who have played an integral part in delivering the RLWC2021 Social Impact Programme. Launched in June 2018, the program has aimed to provide a tangible positive impact to local communities, primarily focusing on the tournament’s host towns and cities to increase opportunities for people to access rugby and promote positive mental health.
Catherine then proceeded to the pitch to meet the England and Papua New Guinea teams. She also joined a minute of non-silence held to mark the tournament’s Movember Mental Fitness Match Day—the moment aimed to combat the damaging impact that silence can have on men’s mental health.
The Princess also met members of the England Women’s Rugby League team during halftime following their match against Canada.
The Rugby League World Cup 2022 marks a breakthrough moment in the tournament’s history, with the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair World Cup competitions being staged alongside one another for the first time.
January 19, 2023 – Reception For England Wheelchair Rugby League Team – The Princess of Wales held a reception at Hampton Court Palace in celebration of the England Wheelchair Rugby League team’s victory at the Rugby League World Cup Final in November 2022. Their 28-24 win over France secured their status as world champions, marking England’s first World Cup victory since the inaugural Wheelchair tournament in 2008. Simon Johnson, Chair of the Rugby Football League, welcomed the Princess, and she spoke with team members and coaches, extending her congratulations for their success and gaining insight into their future aspirations. The final match drew a record attendance of 4,500 at Manchester Central and a substantial broadcast viewership.
February 25, 2023 – Wales vs England Six Nations Match – The presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Wales vs. England Six Nations rugby match at Principality Stadium in Cardiff has marked a significant occasion. Their participation in the official opening of the newly established hospitality lounge, the ‘Sir Tasker Watkins Lounge,’ at Principality Stadium exemplifies their support for the charitable Trust and its network of injured players and their families. This philanthropic gesture, which coincides with the Trust’s 50th anniversary, illustrates a noteworthy commitment to the well-being of those affected by sports-related injuries. Additionally, this is the first time Prince William and Princess Catherine have attended a match in their new roles as Prince and Princess of Wales, which signifies the continuation of their public duties.
June 07, 2023 – The Princess Of Wales Visits Maidenhead Rugby Club – The Patron of the Rugby Football Union, The Princess of Wales, engaged in discussions with local and national male players at Maidenhead Rugby Club regarding the Shaping Us campaign. The purpose of the discourse was to gain insight into the players’ childhood experiences and explore the potential role of community settings in providing support to children and parents. Recent data indicates a notable disparity in awareness between men and women regarding the impact of a child’s first five years.
During her visit, Her Royal Highness actively participated in rugby drills alongside both local and professional players on the pitch. Subsequently, she convened inside the clubhouse for a conversation focusing on early childhood experiences, fatherhood, and the potential impact of community settings, such as local sports clubs, in establishing a support network for those involved in raising children. The discussions notably involved Ugo Monye, a former England rugby professional and a father of two, who served as a Shaping Us champion. Additionally, professional rugby players and representatives from Maidenhead RFC joined the conversation, alongside Si Trower, the founder of the mental health charity, Brave Mind. Notably, Brave Mind collaborates with rugby clubs, universities, and schools to provide a national platform for enhancing mental health support within their communities.
September 09, 2023 – Rugby World Cup – England v Argentina – Catherine journeyed to France to attend the Rugby World Cup and witness the match between England and Argentina. The appearance of The Princess of Wales elicited an enthusiastic response from the spectators and quickly became a social media sensation, achieving viral status on multiple platforms. When the stadium screens displayed footage of The Princess, it prompted genuine cheers from the crowd, which resulted in her reciprocating with a smile and a wave. The widespread dissemination of this moment on various social media accounts, including official channels of England rugby and the World Cup, garnered over a million views. Notably, a clip titled “Listen to the crowd’s reaction to seeing the Princess of Wales,” shared on TikTok by the England Rugby account, amassed over half a million views within 24 hours, along with more than 52,000 likes and 400 comments. Following the game’s conclusion, The Princess graciously visited the locker room to congratulate the players.
October 05, 2023 – The Princess Of Wales Visits Hull For Rugby League Inclusivity Day – The Princess of Wales, who serves as the Rugby Football League’s patron, visited the University of Hull this afternoon, marking the first time a member of the Royal Family has graced the club with their presence. During the visit, the Princess engaged with participants from various segments of Hull FC’s Rugby League teams, including those in the Wheelchair, Learning Disability, Physical Disability, and Sports College categories. The purpose of this visit was to highlight the Center of Excellence’s inclusivity and emphasize the sports’ role in addressing societal inequalities and providing unwavering support to players, irrespective of their backgrounds.
During this hour-long visit, jointly hosted by Hull FC, the RFL, and the University of Hull, the Princess took part in a Wheelchair Rugby League session alongside the Hull FC Wheelchair squad, under the guidance of members of the triumphant England Wheelchair Rugby League team. She not only observed but also interacted with the players, including Hull FC Wheelchair player-coach Mike Swainger, to understand their experiences and challenges. This personal touch added a deeper level of empathy to her visit.
Furthermore, the Princess gained insight into Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL), a full-contact adaptation of the game tailored for players with physical disabilities seeking access to a more dynamic version of the sport, and Learning Disability Rugby League (LDRL), a non-competitive variant of the sport specifically designed for individuals with learning disabilities. She actively participated in a skills session with players from Hull FC’s PDRL and LDRL teams.
Additionally, the Princess engaged in discussions with young individuals affiliated with Hull FC’s Centre of Excellence. Notably, the Centre encompasses a Sports College that caters to post-16 learners aspiring to carve a niche in the sports industry, be it as athletes, coaches, or physiotherapists.
October 15, 2023 – Rugby World Cup – England v Fiji – The Princess of Wales attended the England vs Fiji match at the Stade de Marseille. England beat Fiji 30-24 at Stade de Marseille to secure their spot in a Rugby World Cup semi-final, where they will play the winner of France v South Africa. Prior to and during the match Catherine could be seen laughing with Rob Bryers, President of the RFU and Sir Bill Beaumont CBE, Chairperson of World Rugby. Catherine asked Sir Bill if he was “still surviving” after all the games so far to which he replied “Absolutely” adding that it had been “brilliant” and he had seen 18 matches. After the winning game, The Princess of Wales congratulated the England team on their victory in the changing room.
