The Princess chose sporty styles for a rugby engagement today.
“Rugby League Inclusivity Day” was held at Allam Sport Centre at the University of Hull, about four hours north of London.
More from this Evening Standard article.
Dressed for a day celebrating diversity in Rugby League, Kate arrived at a sports hall in Hull wearing a polo-style shirt, tracksuit bottoms and trainers and declared: “I’ve come in sportswear to get stuck in.” After revealing a few weeks ago she had hurt two fingers on her right hand in a trampoline accident, she again wore strapping on the digits as a precaution during the busy training session.
The Rugby League, the Hull Football Club, and the University of Hull hosted today’s activities.
More from this Hello! piece by Danielle Stacey.
The Princess joined a training session with members of the World-Cup winning England Wheelchair Rugby League squad.
The team were crowned World Champions in November 2022, and in January, Kate hosted a reception for the team at Hampton Court Palace, where she spoke about her children’s love of rugby.
Below, a photo from last November’s reception.
Today the Princess spoke with players and coaches.
Then she took part in a training session. In the photo below, you see the Princess speaking to Tom Halliwell, a member of the England Wheelchair championship team. Just yesterday, Prince William presented Mr. Halliwell with his OBE.
The Daily Mirror reports Mr. Halliwell said, “I got my OBE from William at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and now I’m meeting Kate. It’s been a crazy 48 hours. It was amazing to meet William – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s been quite a humbling experience.”
A Kensington Palace news release notes, “Wheelchair Rugby League is currently the most inclusive format across Rugby League, providing the opportunity for all to play together regardless of gender or disability.”
More from The Evening Standard’s story.
The future Queen, patron of the Rugby Football League, smiled, joked and introduced herself to many of her teammates during the practice period with Hull FC players and some members of the World Cup winning squad after being given a quick course in handling a wheelchair.
Kate raised her arms in celebration and laughed after she punted the rugby ball over the bar – a tricky feat for a novice – said Tom Coyd, coach of England’s World Cup-winning wheelchair rugby team.
A video via The Sun’s Matt Wilkinson.
The Princess of Wheels? Watch the Princess, Patron of the Rugby Football League, put through her paces with members of England’s World Cup winning Rugby League Wheelchair team at the Rugby League Inclusivity Day in Hull pic.twitter.com/hg6yrqCcD8
— Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) October 5, 2023
Another view of the Princess.
More from The Daily Mail’s coverage.
England’s victorious coach Tom Coyd, 28, said: ‘She took to manoeuvring the chair really quickly. ‘I’m not just saying this because it’s her, but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone score a conversion at their first attempt.
‘I think she’s been having secret practice sessions before coming here because she was a natural.
‘She even finished off a passing move with a try in the corner. She blew me away to be honest.’
After the training session wrapped up, the Princess was given personalized England Wheelchair Rugby League shirts for Charlotte, Louis, and George.
Today the Princess learned more about the Physical Disability Rugby League, “a full contact version of the game adapted for participants with a physical disability who want to access a running version of Rugby League.” She also heard about the Learning Disability Rugby League, a non-contact and non-competitive variant of the game “developed to ensure people with a learning disability can access and enjoy playing the game of Rugby League. This accessible offer is open to any individuals who have a learning disability or an associated condition.” She took part in training and skill sessions with the Physical and Learning Disability League players.
Also taking part in the training: students from the University of Hull FC Centre of Excellence, the club’s development and education arm for 16 to 18-year-olds.
It appeared the Princess enjoyed today’s training sessions.
Another view.
Kensington Palace posted a video about today’s engagement.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 5, 2023
We turn now to our look at what Kate wore for today’s engagement.
She appeared to be in the Oxen Core Tech Polo (£32, about $39 at today’s exchange rates), made in a 100% polyester performance fabric.
Her trousers look like the Oxen Core Tech Trackster (£35), also 100% polyester, with an elastic waist, side pockets, and side zippers at the hem. It looks identical to a style worn by Rugby Football League staff. I believe credit for these IIDs goes to Kate Middleton Styled on Instagram.
There is a photo of the Princess arriving that I cannot license in which she appears to wear the Oxen Core Tech 1/4-Zip Top.
The Princess brought back her Chargefeel Low Women’s Workout Shoe ($138, no longer available in the white colorway) by Lululemon. The style was first noted this June at a rugby event.
She also wore her Medium Twist Hoop Earrings (£60) by Spells of Love, seen below as worn in late September.
VIDEO:
ITN‘s Royal Family Channel has almost three minutes of coverage in this video.