The Princess of Wales was in her element as she hosted a special reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Red Roses’ triumph at the women’s Rugby World Cup. Princess Catherine, dressed in a striking red suit, hailed the “amazing achievement,” telling the world champions: “You’ve really inspired all the new generation (that) 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 future Queen said that her children play rugby at home and had the Red Roses in stitches after revealing that she would not want to be tackled by Prince George.
Asked if her daughter played the sport, the princess replied: “Charlotte is playing rugby but at home with the family, so she isn’t yet at school, and I was asking how many schools are actually incorporating (rugby).
“Rugby is so accessible, Louis is playing touch rugby and it’s such a great game.
“Actually, they shouldn’t necessarily need to push boys and girls in particular sports too early.
“Obviously as they get physically stronger – 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 Red Roses beat Canada 33-13 in the final in front of a record 81,885 spectators at a sold-out Twickenham, a third World Cup victory for England following wins in 2014 and 1994.
The royal followed the Red Roses’ World Cup campaign and attended a match watching from the stands as they beat Australia in Brighton in a pool match, and then joined the players when they held a celebratory sing-song in the changing rooms.
Sports Personality of the Year nominee Ellie Kildunne joked with Catherine about the cowboy hat she wore when she came into the dressing room and later said the princess had joined a few of the players in a cowboy lasso dance.
Among the guests were captain Zoe Stratford, double Rugby World Cup winner Marlie Packer and head coach John Mitchell, who were all made OBEs in the New Year Honours, and they were joined by vice captain Megan Jones and standout back row Sadia Kabeya, who were both made MBEs.