The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has become a patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) just days before the start of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations.
The Duchess, who has also been named as a patron of the Rugby Football League, has been given the new patronages by Her Majesty The Queen.
She is known to be a rugby fan dating all the way back to her childhood and attended a match during the 2017 Championship in Paris, as well as the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
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Her husband, the Duke of Cambridge Prince William, is already a patron of the Welsh Rugby Union – with England meeting Wales at Twickenham in Round 3 of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations on February 26.
“I am so thrilled to become Patron of the @TheRFL and @EnglandRugby,” tweeted the Duchess from her official Twitter account.
“Two fantastic organisations who are committed to harnessing the power that sport can have in bringing communities together and helping individuals flourish.
“I look forward to working with them across all levels of the games, and to cheering England on in what promises to be an exciting year for both sports!”
Kate is already a patron of a number of other sporting organisations, including the All England Lawn and Tennis Croquet Club, the Lawn Tennis Association, SportsAid and the 1851 Trust.
Patronage of the RFU and the RFL was formerly a role held by Prince Harry and Kensington Palace stated that the role “closely aligns with Her Royal Highness’ longstanding passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide, both within our communities and on an individual level.”
After the appointment, Kate met players from England’s men’s and women’s squad at Twickenham – also joining in with a skills session run by head coach Eddie Jones.
“It is a great honour to welcome the Duchess of Cambridge as our patron,” said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.
“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.”
