The Princess of Wales praised the Red Roses rugby team for
ushering in a new generation of girls to the sport at a Windsor
Castle reception, and revealed her own rugby tip: don’t get tackled
by Prince George!
Catherine, who serves as patron of the Rugby Football Union and
the Rugby Football League, hosted a reception for the newly-minted
Women’s Rugby World Cup champions, praised the Red Roses for
helping to usher in a new generation of girls in the sport who
“perhaps might not even have thought rugby was for
them.”
She added: “I think it really showed how accessible rugby is
to so many types of girls in different parts of the
country.”
The mother of three also spoke of how the Wales family enjoys
playing rugby at school and at home.
The Princess of Wales at the
Red Roses reception at Windsor Castle Prince and Princess of Wales
/ Instagram / Fair Use
“Rugby is so accessible,” she said. “[Prince] Louis
is playing touch rugby, and it’s such a great game.”
Catherine said that her sons, Prince George and Prince Louis,
are both playing at school while Princess Charlotte is only playing
at home right now because there’s no girls league through
school.
Catherine said that separate teams for boys and girls shouldn’t
necessarily matter for younger children, but when they age and get
physically stronger, it should matter more. “George now, if we
play at home, I do not want to get tackled by George! But, up to a
certain age I think it’s great.”
The members of
the Red Roses showed the Princess of Wales a scrapbook of memories
of the Women’s Rugby World Cup and brought her a signed jersey and
a medal as a gift. Before departing, they all posed for a team photo, with Catherine, in
a scarlet pant suit, sitting front and centre next to the
trophy.
Afterwards, Kensington Palace shared the team photo with
Catherine on social media, writing: “A great day hosting
Women’s Rugby World Cup winners the Red Roses today at Windsor!
Congratulations to you all – what an achievement!”
The Red Roses won the Women’s Rugby World Cup against Canada in
September 2025, their third win after championships in 1994 and
2014.