The Princess of Wales, Catherine, the patron of the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union, hosted a reception for England’s wheelchair rugby league team at Hampton Court Palace. Catherine became the patron of both organizations in February 2022. It was Catherine’s second solo engagement of the year, yesterday she visited Foxcubs nursery in Luton.
The Princess of Wales was marking the success of the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. In November 2022, the English squad won the competition after beating France 28-24 in the final. The tournament was held with a delay of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the people we support, volunteering at these major events is about giving back, finding confidence, and living the best life possible!
Please give it up for our incredible #Inclusive Volunteers!@RLWC2021 @WEURO @WGC2022 @Sport_England @TheRFL 🏉⚽🤸♀️ pic.twitter.com/LOm42gEG9r
— Community Integrated Care (@ComIntCare) January 19, 2023
About the event, Palace said, “The win marked England’s first World Cup triumph since the inaugural Wheelchair tournament which was held in Australia in 2008. Her Royal Highness heard about the impact that the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair competitions being played concurrently during the World Cup, a breakthrough moment in the tournament’s history, has had on the sport. The Wheelchair Final attracted a capacity crowd of 4,500, a new record for Wheelchair Rugby League, and was watched by a seven-figure broadcast audience.”
In December 2022, The Princess of Wales send a letter of congratulations to the team. As per the Daily Mirror’s report,
At the reception, she told how she, her husband Prince William and their three children had watched the final on television, in which England narrowly defeated France 28-24. She laughed as she told the England team: “You’ve set the bar high, haven’t you? Which is good.”
Asked whether her children were interested in rugby, she said: “We’re always slightly competitive with each other. They all love sports and Louis is mad about rugby. They are at an age where they just love running around.” The princess then divulged her own fitness schedule and added: “I do it all: whenever I can squeeze in exercise I do, even jumping on the trampoline with the children before school. “I’d love to come and play,” she said. “There’s no excuse now. We’re going to have to have a family training session.”
moving towards, The Princess of Wales style – Catherine was looking elegant in a familiar look. The Princess of Wales was wearing her burgundy Roland Mouret suit that she first wore during her Boston visit in December 2022.
She paired the outfit with her Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Gianvito 105’ Burgundy pumps.
The Princess of Wales was wearing Daniella Draper mini cupid hoops
The new element of the look was Daniella Draper Gold Citrine Baby Treasure Necklace.
Earlier in the morning, The Princess of Wales held an early years meeting.
The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this morning held an Early Years Meeting.
2/3 pic.twitter.com/57eFUmt3yU— Isa (@isaguor) January 20, 2023
In other news, Holocaust survivor, Zigi Shipper, who met The Prince and Princess of Wales in 2017 during Poland’s visit and then during a zoom call in 2020, passed away earlier this week. Sharing her grief The Prince and Princess of Wales said, “In 2017, we had the honour to meet Holocaust survivor, Zigi Shipper on our visit to Stutthof. We were sad to learn earlier today of his passing. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. W&C“.
In 2017, we had the honour to meet Holocaust survivor, Zigi Shipper on our visit to Stutthof. We were sad to learn earlier today of his passing. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. W&C pic.twitter.com/bsIJ2MVq4e
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 18, 2023