Princess Kate welcomes England’s Red Roses to Windsor Castle to have fun their Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph
The Princess of Wales has welcomed England’s Red Roses to Windsor Castle to celebrate their Rugby World Cup triumph last autumn.
Kate hosted the women’s rugby squad, who won the tournament for the third time on home soil, with the World Cup trophy taking centre stage at the reception.
The royal followed the team’s campaign in her role as patron of the Rugby Football Union, watching from the stands when they defeated Australia in Brighton in a pool match.
She later joined the players when they held a celebratory sing-song in the changing rooms.
In the final, the Red Roses beat Canada 33-13 in front of a record 81,885 spectators who filled a sold-out Twickenham, a third World Cup victory following wins in 2014 and 1994.
It marked a new milestone for the sport, after the first women’s competition was held in 1991, with the tournament gaining official backing from the International Rugby Board at the third event in 1998.
Among the guests were captain Zoe Stratford, double Rugby World Cup winner Marlie Packer and head coach John Mitchell – who were all named as OBE recipients in the New Year Honours.
They were joined by vice-captain Megan Jones, standout back row Sadia Kabeya and the rest of the squad.
The Princess of Wales has welcomed England’s Red Roses to Windsor Castle to celebrate their Rugby World Cup triumph last autumn
The Princess of Wales looks at a signed rugby shirt and other memorabilia with Zoe Stratford, Captain of the England Rugby team during a reception on Thursday
The Princess of Wales smiles as she meets with members of the world cup winning Red Roses squad
The team wore matching Red Roses branded suits and brought their gold medals to the meeting with Kate
Sports Personality of the Year nominee Ellie Kildunne (left) and teammate Emily Scarratt (right) were some of the players to attend the reception with the princess
Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, poses with members of the England Women’s rugby team, at Windsor Castle today
Also in attendance was Sports Personality of the Year nominee Ellie Kildunne, 26, who, along with Jones and Kabeya, were recognised with MBE awards.
Kildunne became the first female rugby player to be shortlisted for the BBC gong and the first English rugby ace since Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson in 2007.
The full back said at the time: ‘To be the first female rugby player ever to be nominated is a huge honour.
‘We’ve been told no-one’s going to watch women’s rugby and no-one’s bothered, so to be able to say I’ve been nominated for something as big as Sports Personality is something I’m hugely proud of.
‘It’s something I’ve got to pinch myself about given the number of fantastic sports stars that could have been nominated.’
Golfer Rory McIlroy ultimately won the award, with Kildunne coming in second.
The Red Roses were also nominated under the team of the year award, alongside the Lionesses, who took home glory in the Euros earlier this year.
The Princess of Wales, who was wearing a suitably red suit for the occasion, smiled and laughed as she chatted to members of the team and coaching staff.
Kate hosted the winning women’s rugby squad and senior leadership of the RFU, with the World Cup trophy taking centre stage at the reception
Vice-captain of the squad Marlie Packer (right) arrives with teammates at Windsor Castle on Thursday
The Red Roses were supposed to be given a tour of Windsor Castle as part of the visit, but this was cancelled after their coach broke down on the way
Players Maud Muir (left) and Hannah Botterman (right) take shelter from the rain as they arrive at Windsor Castle today
Players Hannah Botterman (left) and Emily Scarratt (right) smile as the team was greeted by the Princess of Wales
Head coach John Mitchell arrives at Windsor Castle to celebrate the success of the Red Roses with the Princess of Wales
She was pictured looking at a rugby shirt signed by the entire squad with captain Zoe Stratford, as the team gathered around the trophy.
The Princess also posed for an official photo with the entire team and coaching staff.
The victory in the World Cup final took the team to a 33-strong consecutive winning streak, and was watched by the largest crowd ever for a women’s rugby match.
The almost 82,000 fans also put the game in the record books as the second-best attended game for any men’s or women’s rugby team.
The players arrived late after their coach broke down and their private tour of Windsor Castle, ahead of their reception with Kate, had to be cancelled.
The team wore matching Red Roses suits and brought their gold medals to the Castle, where they were also greeted by the 2025 President of the RFU, Deborah Griffin.
Ms Griffin was the first female President to be appointed to the role, which is voluntary and changes on an annual basis.
The team’s win was just the latest addition to a glittering summer of women’s sport, with the England women’s football team retaining their Euros crown back in July.
