The Prince and Princess of Wales have offered a rare glimpse into a friendly sporting divide at the heart of the royal household, issuing a joint message of support to England and Wales ahead of their Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
In a post shared across their official social media accounts, the couple wished both teams well as they prepared to face each other in the championship’s opening weekend, signing off with the playful refrain: “May the best team win.”
The good-natured neutrality masks a genuine split in loyalties. Prince William has been Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016, a role he inherited from Queen Elizabeth II, while Catherine was appointed patron of the Rugby Football Union in 2022, taking over the England men’s and women’s teams previously supported by Prince Harry.
The fixture – one of the most fiercely contested in the tournament – is expected to test that balance of diplomacy, even if the match’s London location makes it an easy journey from the family’s Windsor home.
Rugby has become more than a ceremonial interest for the Princess of Wales. Since assuming her patronage, she has thrown herself into the sport’s grassroots and elite levels alike, even taking part in training sessions at Twickenham. Her unexpected aptitude has been warmly noted by former England internationals, including her cousin-in-law Mike Tindall, who has joked that she displayed a natural athleticism that would not look out of place in a professional squad.
Friends of the game have described Catherine as fiercely competitive, with a strong kicking game and an ease in contact drills – qualities that have made her a credible and enthusiastic ambassador for English rugby.
For William, meanwhile, his long-standing support for Wales has seen him regularly attend matches at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, often speaking about the sport’s cultural importance across the nation.
The couple’s public show of unity reflects a broader effort to present a modern, relatable royal image — one that embraces everyday passions such as sport while acknowledging the playful tensions of family life.
As England and Wales begin their campaigns, the result may settle bragging rights at home, but publicly at least, the Prince and Princess of Wales appear determined to keep the contest firmly in the spirit of friendly rivalry rather than royal division.
