The Princess of Wales brought back a Catherine Walker design for today’s rugby match in Cardiff, Wales.
A quick video shows the duo arriving.
Today @KensingtonRoyal visited @principalitysta for the @SixNationsRugby match between @WelshRugbyUnion and @EnglandRugby pic.twitter.com/3CZxoO8uAO
— Claire Hayhurst (@clairehayhurst) February 25, 2023
The Prince and Princess were in Wales for the Six Nations match between Wales and England, a fierce rivalry. Some readers may recall that the Prince is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, and the Princess is patron of England’s Rugby Football Union.
Before the match, the pair met injured players receiving assistance from the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
Prince William is the charity’s royal patron.
We learn more about the Trust via the organization’s website.
In the years since it was created, hundreds of male and female players – from grassroots rugby to the elite game – have been supported by the Trust. Some receive help on a short-term basis where fortunately they have gone on to make good recoveries. But sadly, many have suffered life-changing injuries which have had a devastating impact not only on their lives but on their families.
When an injured player returns home, help provided can include funding significant house adaptations like wet-rooms and ramps, hoists, wheelchairs and specially adapted cars to restore mobility and independence. The Trust has also offered financial support towards rehabilitation, counselling, career advice, educational opportunities, and retraining.
The royals officially opened the Sir Tasker Watkins Suite at the stadium.
The new suite will be used exclusively by injured players and their families ahead of matches.
From The Mirror’s coverage.
Prince William joked about the rivalry. “It’s going to be a very tense journey home. If we win today my wife won’t speak to me. It will be a tense evening.”
Kate laughed as she was asked about her support for England during the match.
We return to The Mirror’s coverage.
Kate said George is now learning to tackle rather than playing the non-contact game tag rugby . She said: “They are trying to teach him the rules. They move them around for their confidence. Because he is tall, he has the physique.”
She also said Louis and Charlotte also love playing the sport.
Rhian Roberts, 37, is one of 33 people supported by the trust and spoke about what it was like to meet the royal guests.
She said: “It was an honour to see them today. You see them on TV and you pinch yourself that they are sat next to you.”
Both royals seemed to enjoy their time at today’s reception.
Another quick video shows the Prince and Princess unveiling a plaque marking today’s visit and the opening of the new suite.
They also met injured players supported by Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and officially opened the Sir Tasker Watkins Suite pic.twitter.com/mEjF7Cy0RW
— Claire Hayhurst (@clairehayhurst) February 25, 2023
Then it was time for the match as the couple joined 75,000 fans inside the stadium.
The Prince and Princess as they took their seats.
Before the national anthem was sung, there was a moment of silence marking the one-year anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the ongoing war in that country.
Ultimately, England was victorious, defeating Wales 20 – 10, England’s first win in Cardiff in six years.
Now for our look at what Kate wore for today’s match.
The Princess was in a Catherine Walker coat first worn in 2018 during a visit to Sweden when she was expecting Prince Louis, shown below.
The altered piece features a double-breasted silhouette, collar, and three rows of oversized buttons. Below, a closer look at the fabric and buttons.
The Princess repeated her Mulberry handbag, the brand’s Amberley Crossbody style. It measures about 5″ x 7″ x 2.5″ and has a detachable chain strap and detachable top handle.
She also brought back a pair of her Aquatalia boots, the brand’s Ruby Dry design, a platform ankle boot in black suede. An updated version of the boot is carried at Russell and Bromley.
I do not know the maker of the gloves carried today.
The Princess wore her Mappin and Webb Empress earrings. (The identical design is no longer available; an updated version is available at Mappin and Webb.) I added a couple of possible repliKates on the RepliKate Earrings page.
England’s team emblem is a rose and the Princess wore the UFO silver rose brooch seen in a video supporting the women’s rugby team ahead of the Rugby World Cup in October.
I will see you Tuesday when the Prince and Princess return to Wales for a series of engagements.
UPDATE FEB 27: After looking at more photos, I think Kate McGowan and Bonnie, who left comments about the pink, are correct in saying it looks like the Rugby Rose Silver Collection pin offered several years ago. Pieces in the Rugby Rose collection were crafted of sterling silver by the London Silver Company, but the collection is no longer available.
Limited jewelry items are available at the England Rugby site, but not this pin. Thank you again to Kate, Bonnie, and others commenting and emailing about the pin. Your input prompted me to look at it with a different perspective, and understand it was not a openworked design as I thought.
In researching this, it turns out I had a photo of the pin from a post done last February, but forgot all about it. That was when the Duke, Duchess, and Prince George attended the Six Nations match at Twickenham. The following is from that post: “The Duchess also wore a small pin, the England Rose Rugby Pin. Hers is goldtone, not silver like the example I show below left. (I was unable to find an image of the piece in goldtone metal.)”
Also, a few more photos from after the match were released by Kensington Palace and England Rugby yesterday.The images were shot after the match.
England Rugby posted the photos on social media, saying, “Great to see our patron The Princess of Wales yesterday.”
Another image.
In this photo, you see Prince William with a player and youngster from the Welsh team.
VIDEOS:
The Royal Family Channel has almost three minutes of coverage in this video.
The national anthem before the match.
LORI
Monday 15th of May 2023
WHAT ABOUT HER GLOVES????
Vanessa in WA
Tuesday 28th of February 2023
This is a fun look. The coat with the white handbag is giving me Mad Men vibes.
Zell
Wednesday 1st of March 2023
@Vanessa in WA, oooh, great comparison!
Bobby
Tuesday 28th of February 2023
Uumm.... I don't know if this is OK to say here, but some of those Rugby players are pretty cute, especially the one she's sitting next to in the second pic. LOVE the coat. Prefer the Chanel bag but what can you do?
Kimberley
Tuesday 28th of February 2023
A fun look. My only comment would be on the handbag: I would prefer a black handbag here. Regardless, a fun look for a game.
Zell
Wednesday 1st of March 2023
@Bertie, definitely agree, as I also think it would get lost.
Bertie
Tuesday 28th of February 2023
@Kimberley, I think having the bag white is part of the fun, it's what brings the coat to life for me. I think that could be lost with all black accessories.
Julie
Tuesday 28th of February 2023
Love this outfit. It was perfectly informal and fun for a sporting event.