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The Princess of Wales displayed her lively side as she participated in a Mexican wave from the stands while watching England’s Red Roses face Australia in the Rugby World Cup yesterday.
Kate, 43, the Patron of the Rugby Football Union, joined the fans at the Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium for the group stage match, fully embracing the crowd’s spirit.
At one moment, the Princess enthusiastically joined in a Mexican wave, raising her hands and standing up in sync with the rest of the crowd’s movement.
Throughout the match, she was seen beaming and looking delighted as she cheered the England team to their 47-7 victory.
It seemed Kate couldn’t hold back her laughter as she chatted with those around her, apparently enjoying her return to work and official engagements after the summer break.
It’s perhaps not surprising that the royal mother-of-three was clearly so invested in the game, as she’s known to be a huge fan of women’s rugby, and women’s sport in general.
In footage shared on the Wallaroos Rugby Instagram page, the future Queen was seen making a surprise visit to the Australian locker room, shaking hands and offering encouraging words.
Afterwards, the team looked as though they could not believe their luck after getting the opportunity to speak to the princess face-to-face.
The Princess of Wales was seen showing her fun side as she took part in a Mexican wave from the stands at Brighton and Hove Albion stadium yesterday
In the clip, the mother-of-three could be heard speaking to one of the players, telling the team she is a ‘massive supporter’ of women’s sport.
‘How has it been playing away from home? Is it ok?’ she asked kindly, before adding: ‘You played really well, you gave us a run for our money at the beginning, it was nerve-racking!’
She added: ‘For women’s sport across the world, it’s so fantastic to see crowds like this and stadiums like this.
‘I am a massive supporter of women’s sport, so well done – and good luck for the rest of the tournament.’
Both Kate and William have shared personal messages to their respective Women’s Rugby teams on social media in recent weeks.
Posting in Welsh, then in English, William wrote: ‘Good luck to Wales Women as they kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Scotland today! Pob lwc, Cymru – ewch amdani! W.’
While Kate’s message read: ‘Wishing the Red Roses the very best as they kick off their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign tonight.
‘I look forward to cheering you on and seeing the team rise to the challenge on home soil! C.’
It seemed Kate couldn’t hold back her laughter as she chatted with those around her, apparently enjoying her return to work and official engagements after the summer break
At one point, the Princess even took part in a Mexican wave, as she expertly put her hands in the air and raised out of her seat
Kate was all smiles at the kick-off, with England currently sitting at the top of the leaderboard, and Australia in second place
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.
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.
The Australian team, visibly touched by the unexpected royal visit broke into an impromptu three cheers for Kate
In a sweet moment the Princess of Wales was met with cheers and admiration from the Australian women’s rugby team after a gripping World Cup clash against England at the Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, yesterday
Royal wave: The Princess of Wales takes her seat in the stands before the second half
The game marks the final of the group stage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup
Kate took over the role with the RFU from her brother-in-law Prince Harry in 2022
The Princess of Wales grew up watching rugby with her family and is known as one of the sportiest members of the Royal Family
Smiling from the stands and clapping, the Princess appeared to be enjoying the gripping match
The royal mother-of-three looked effortlessly stunning in a dark casual ensemble for the event
Kate was in high spirits, laughing and clapping as the nail-biting match began in Brighton
Kate’s excitement for the match was evident in her wide smiles and laughter from the stands
The Princess, who is a known sports fan, appeared in her element at the Rugby Union match
Kate had travelled to Brighton as her husband Prince William watched Wales narrowly lose to Fiji at Sandy Park in Exeter more than 200 miles away earlier this afternoon
He said: ‘It’s become quite the thing in the house. [Catherine] is quite into it. I’m trying to stay out of it.’
Kate appeared in a black outfit, coupled with a white blouse, in line with a period of royal mourning following the death of the Duchess of Kent
Kate was all smiles and relishing her time watching England against Australia on Saturday
Kate’s newly-dyed blonde tresses were stylishly tied back showing off her glowing features
The royal smiled and applauded as the epic rugby match got underway at the American Express Stadium in Brighton on Saturday
All eyes were on the Princess, who appeared glowing and in high spirits at the much-anticipated rugby match
The royal is known as one of the sportiest members of the Royal Family and a keen rugby fan
The royal mother-of-three looked effortlessly stunning in a casual ensemble and once again showed off her newly-dyed blonde tresses
Earlier in the day, Kate had sent a good luck message to the team stating that she would be cheering them on ‘and seeing the team rise to the challenge on home soil!’
Kate took over the role with RFU after Prince Harry stepped down as part of the 2022 Megxit
Kate, 43, is attending the women’s team’s match against Australia in her role as Patron of the Rugby Football Union
Prince William was spotted in the stands chatting with Alan Gilpin (right), CEO of World Rugby, before the teams were led out at the Sandy Park stadium in Exeter
Prince William meanwhile, attended the Wales against Fiji game in Exeter, seeing his team narrowly miss out on victory.
The couple’s decision to attend their respective games comes amid a tricky time for the royal family after the sad announcement that the Duchess of Kent died this week at the age of 92.
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a loving tribute to the Duchess of Kent, after the news was announced around Friday lunchtime.
William and Kate said the Duchess – who became the oldest living member of the Royal Family when Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022 – would be ‘much missed’.
The future king and queen described how she had ‘worked tirelessly’ in her life to help others.
The Duchess died at Kensington Palace on Thursday night, surrounded by members of her family. She is survived by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and their three children.
The couple have both shared personal messages to their respective teams on social media in recent weeks
England’s full back Ellie Kildunne is tackled by Australia’s hooker Adiana Talakai during the Women’s Rugby World Cup
The Prince and Princess of Wales have divided loyalties this weekend, with William set to support Wales and Kate England (pictured at the Natural History Museum earlier this week)
The Princess of Wales was in attendance at England vs Australia game (Pictured: England’s women’s team in training on Friday)
In a statement signed ‘W & C’, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.
‘The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family’.
A spokesman for Prince Harry said he had sent his condolences privately to the Kent family.
Earlier this week, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Natural History Museum in London as they returned to duties after their summer break.
Kate, who studied art history at university and has been patron of the attraction since 2013, was seen with her newly blonde locks on display after spending a summer in the sun.
The Prince of Wales also showed a hint of tan during their day out in the capital following their traditional break, which was this year said to include a trip on their superyacht to Kefalonia, sailing around the Greek islands.
Kate, who has apparently dyed her brunette locks a few shades lighter, looked stylish in a fitted tweed ‘Hacket’ blazer from Ralph Lauren, paired with a white Boyfriend Shirt from sustainable British brand With Nothing Underneath, smart dark green tailored trousers and £199 tassel loafers from Pretty Ballerinas.
In mourning: King Charles III appeared in black alongside Queen Camilla during the Braemar Gathering highland games close to Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, as a mark of mourning following the death of the Duchess of Kent
Alongside gentle waves in her hair, the princess opted for a natural sweep of make-up and added her £495 alphabet necklace from Daniella Draper – which features the initials of her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis – as well as Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring and £850 Kiki McDonough pear drop earrings.
They dodged downpours as they kicked off their own ‘autumn term’ and visited the site’s newly transformed gardens, meeting children and young people taking part in learning programmes.
As they arrived at the venue, the supportive Prince was seen placing a hand on his wife’s back, making for a sweet display of affection.
The princess appeared firmly in her element as she laughed with school pupils as it began to pour with rain during their time in the gardens – even sweetly helping one child to shelter under her umbrella.
