The Princess of Wales is set for a thrilling weekend as she heads to Cardiff to support England in the highly anticipated Six Nations final.
However, her royal duties mean she’ll likely miss an important family milestone—her niece’s fourth birthday.
A Royal Couple Divided by Rugby
Kate, 43, and Prince William, 42, will find themselves on opposite sides of the pitch this Saturday as Wales takes on England at the Principality Stadium.
As the patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Kate is backing England, while William, patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), will be cheering for Wales.
The couple’s competitive spirit is well known, and in past tournaments, they’ve joked about the playful rivalry causing “tense journeys home.”
Missing a Special Family Moment
While Kate enjoys the excitement of the match, she will likely be absent from a more intimate family event—her niece Grace Matthews’ fourth birthday.
Grace is the daughter of Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, 38, and her husband, former racing driver James Matthews, 46.
The family is expected to celebrate the occasion in Berkshire with Grace’s siblings, six-year-old Arthur and one-year-old Rose.
Kate’s Return to Public Duties
This rugby outing is part of Kate’s gradual return to royal engagements following her announcement that she is in remission from cancer.
She’s also scheduled to attend a St. Patrick’s Day event in London with the Irish Guards on Monday.
Her presence at these public events marks a significant step in resuming her role after stepping back for health reasons.
Supporting Injured Players Before Kickoff
Ahead of the big game, Kate and William will meet with rugby players who have been supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
This organization assists players who have sustained serious injuries on the field.
As the trust’s patron, William has been actively involved in helping these athletes and their families, ensuring they feel supported and included within the rugby community.
A Lifelong Love for Sports
Kate has long been recognized as one of the most athletic members of the Royal Family.
From dragon boating to wind buggy racing, she has never shied away from a sporting challenge against her husband.
Having played tennis and hockey since childhood, she is also the royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, frequently attending Wimbledon.
What many people may not know is that rugby has always been a part of Kate’s life.
Her sister Pippa once revealed in a 2014 Vanity Fair article that their family would often plan weekends around major rugby matches.
This deep-rooted passion explains why Kate takes her RFU patronage so seriously.
A Weekend of Rugby and Family Loyalties
As Kate and William head to Cardiff, their friendly rivalry will once again take center stage.
Though she’ll be missing Grace’s birthday celebration, her presence at the Six Nations final reinforces her dedication to her role.
Whether England or Wales emerges victorious, one thing is certain—this royal couple’s love for the sport is as strong as ever.