British royals
Duchess Kate takes over rugby patronage
Duchess Kate during rugby training at London’s Twickenham Stadium. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Rugby is a very popular sport in Great Britain. Duchess Kate has now taken over the patronage of the English associations.
Duchess Kate becomes the new patron of the English rugby associations. Queen Elizabeth II (95) transferred the offices to the wife of her grandson Prince William, Kensington Palace said on Wednesday in London.
The 40-year-old follows her brother-in-law Prince Harry (37), who had to give up the honor because of his retirement from royal duties a year ago. Kate attended a training session at Rugby Stadium in the Twickenham area of London on Wednesday. The Duchess wore a black national jersey and blue sports shorts and sneakers.
The sport of rugby is extremely popular in Great Britain. Kate’s husband William (39) is patron of the Welsh Association. The patronage would be a very good fit for the Duchess of Cambridge, sources at the palace said. Kate has a longstanding passion for the sport and the lifelong benefits it offers both individually and collectively. The associations were honored.
Harry took over the patronage of the Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union from the Queen in 2016. When he finally retired as a working member of the Royal Family in 2021, he also had to give up his honorary posts.