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The Prince and Princess of Wales are exhibiting split loyalties during this weekend’s Women’s Rugby World Cup games as Prince William attends the Wales match, while Kate plans to attend the England encounter later.
In the stands, Prince William was seen conversing with Alan Gilpin, the CEO of World Rugby, prior to the team’s emergence at Exeter’s Sandy Park stadium.
Wales are lining up against Fiji this afternoon in the final round of the group stages of the tournament, which is being hosted by England.
Prince William is the patron of the WRU, or Welsh Rugby Union, while wife Catherine is patron of the English equivalent, the RFU.
Wales are hoping for a final chance to snatch victory after suffering emphatic defeats against Scotland (38-8) and Canada (42-0).
Regardless of today’s result in Exeter, Wales’ women will not be progressing to the quarter finals.
This didn’t seem to affect William’s cheerful demeanor, as he was observed smiling and interacting with other attendees in the stands preceding the national anthems.
And perhaps encouraged by the monarch’s show of support, Wales shot off the mark to become first scorers as they quickly earned a try.
Prince William was spotted in the stands chatting with Alan Gilpin (right), CEO of World Rugby, before the teams were led out at the Sandy Park stadium in Exeter
The Prince took the decision to attend the game despite the sad news on Friday that the Duchess of Kent had died
Wales players celebrate an early try by Carys Cox during this afternoon’s game against Fiji
Today, England’s Red Roses are set to face Australia at the American Express Stadium in Brighton, finishing their group stage matches.
Ranked as the top team globally, England astonished the US with a 69-7 victory in their initial match, followed by an impressive 92-3 win over Samoa last weekend.
They are one of the favourites to win the entire tournament, alongside current world cup holders New Zealand, and Canada.
William posted in support of the Welsh team when they kicked off their campaign on August 23.
Posting in Welsh, and then in English, he said: ‘Good luck to Wales Women as they kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Scotland today! Pob lwc, Cymru – ewch amdani! W.’
The final of the tournament will take place on September 27 at Twickenham Stadium in London.
The couple’s decision to attend their respective games comes amid a tricky time for the royal family after the sad announcement that the Duchess of Kent died this week at the age of 92.
The Prince and Princess of Wales yesterday shared a loving tribute to the Duchess of Kent, after the news was announced around Friday lunchtime.
Prince William is pictured at Sandy Park in Exeter ahead of the start of the Wales vs Fiji game
The Prince and Princess of Wales have divided loyalties this weekend, with William set to support Wales and Kate England
The Princess of Wales will attend today’s England vs Australia game (Pictured: England’s women’s team in training on Friday)
William and Kate said the Duchess – who became the oldest living member of the Royal Family when Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022 – would be ‘much missed’.
The future king and queen described how she had ‘worked tirelessly’ in her life to help others.
The Duchess died at Kensington Palace on Thursday night, surrounded by members of her family. She is survived by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and their three children.
In a statement signed ‘W & C’, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.
‘The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family’.
A spokesman for Prince Harry said he had sent his condolences privately to the Kent family.
