{"id":120143,"date":"2025-09-07T05:21:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T05:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/120143\/"},"modified":"2025-09-07T05:21:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T05:21:13","slug":"kate-and-william-show-divided-loyalties-as-prince-of-wales-shows-support-for-welsh-women-in-rugby-world-cup-while-princess-heads-to-england-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/120143\/","title":{"rendered":"Kate and William show divided loyalties as Prince of Wales shows support for Welsh women in rugby world cup while princess heads to England match"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER<\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 10:31 EDT, 6 September 2025 | Updated: 10:34 EDT, 6 September 2025 <\/p>\n

The Prince and Princess of Wales<\/a> are showing divided loyalties at this weekend’s Women’s Rugby World Cup<\/a> matches as William watches Wales with Kate due to head to the England game later.<\/p>\n

Prince William<\/a> was spotted in the stands chatting with Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby, before the teams were led out at the Sandy Park stadium in Exeter.<\/p>\n

Wales are lining up against Fiji<\/a> this afternoon in the final round of the group stages of the tournament, which is being hosted by England.<\/p>\n

Prince William is the patron of the WRU, or Welsh Rugby Union, while wife Catherine is patron of the English equivalent, the RFU.<\/p>\n

Wales are hoping for a final chance to snatch victory after suffering emphatic defeats against Scotland (38-8) and Canada<\/a> (42-0).<\/p>\n

Regardless of today’s result in Exeter, Wales’ women will not be progressing to the quarter finals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This didn’t appear to dampen William’s spirits however, with him seen smiling and laughing with other attendees in the stands before the national anthems.<\/p>\n

And perhaps encouraged by the monarch’s show of support, Wales shot off the mark to become first scorers as they quickly earned a try.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Prince <\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Prince took the decision to attend the game despite the sad news on Friday that the Duchess of Kent had died<\/p>\n

\"Wales <\/p>\n

Wales players celebrate an early try by Carys Cox during this afternoon’s game against Fiji<\/p>\n

Later today, England’s Red Roses will take to the grass against rivals Australia at the American Express Stadium in Brighton to round out their group stage games.<\/p>\n

England, who are ranked the number one side in the world, shocked the US with a 69-7 win in the first round before another strong performance to win 92-3 against Samoa last weekend.<\/p>\n

They are one of the favourites to win the entire tournament, alongside current world cup holders New Zealand, and Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

William posted in support of the Welsh team when they kicked off their campaign on August 23.<\/p>\n

Posting in Welsh, and then in English, he said: ‘Good luck to Wales Women as they kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Scotland today! Pob lwc, Cymru \u2013 ewch amdani! W.’<\/p>\n

The final of the tournament will take place on September 27 at Twickenham Stadium in London.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Prince and Princess of Wales yesterday shared a loving tribute to the Duchess of Kent, after the news was announced around Friday lunchtime.<\/p>\n

\"Prince <\/p>\n

Prince William is pictured at Sandy Park in Exeter ahead of the start of the Wales vs Fiji game<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Prince and Princess of Wales have divided loyalties this weekend, with William set to support Wales and Kate England<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Princess of Wales will attend today’s England vs Australia game (Pictured: England’s women’s team in training on Friday)<\/p>\n

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’.<\/p>\n

The future king and queen described how she had ‘worked tirelessly’ in her life to help others.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

‘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’.<\/p>\n

A spokesman for Prince Harry said he had sent his condolences privately to the Kent family.<\/p>\n

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\n Kate and William show divided loyalties as Prince of Wales shows support for Welsh women in rugby world cup while princess heads to England match<\/p>\n