In addition to photography and beekeeping, Kate Middleton has made a surprise addition to her list of interests: rugby.
That’s right—the Duchess of Cambridge is slated to become the royal patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Rugby Football League (RFL), which was a position formerly filled by her brother-in-law, Prince Harry.
The news was first reported last summer by The Sunday Times, where they said, “The patronages, formerly held by the Duke of Sussex, are expected to be announced in the coming months, before the rugby league World Cup in October and November.”
However, while that prediction didn’t come true, the news has resurfaced thanks to a new report from The Daily Mail, where sources revealed the duchess will be unveiled as patron of the Rugby Football Union “imminently.” There is no word as to when this announcement will be made, and there was no update on whether the duchess will become a patron of the Rugby Football League at the same time.
This will be one of the first of Prince Harry’s patronages to be passed onto another royal since he and Meghan Markle stepped away from their official roles as royals in 2020.
Prince Harry had previously been a patron of the RFU for five years, taking over in 2016 after serving as vice-patron.
Middleton is no stranger to rugby, though. Last September, she and Prince William took a sporty tour of the City of Derry Rugby Football Club, where she was captured kicking a ball, as seen in the photo above.
The duchess has shown a love of sports in general, attending much tennis and soccer matches with her husband throughout the years, while also playing tennis and participating in yacht racing. She is also currently the royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Also important to note: Prince William currently serves as the royal patron for the Welsh Rugby Union, which we believe will be cause for some friendly competition between the couple.
Good luck, Kate!