It was an afternoon of friendly competition and sporting action as the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Cardiff's Principality Stadium for the Six Nations rugby showdown between their respective patronages -- Wales and England.
The Princess arriving.
During last year's Six Nations, Kate made her first appearance as England Rugby's patron during a family outing with William and George. With several engagements on the horizon in South Wales on Tuesday, I posited the idea William and Kate might opt to spend the weekend in Wales, either privately at their Welsh residence or possibly undertaking engagements. It would certainly be the ideal setting to unveil another Community Impact Day, and such days are understood to be a staple of the 2023 Wales calendar.
Before kick off, William and Kate spent time meeting injured players who are supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
Kensington Palace said: "The Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, of which the Prince of Wales is patron, was set up in 1972 as an organisation with a range of education, social and sporting objectives. The principle aim of the charity however has always been to support those players and their families who have been severely injured whilst playing rugby football in Wales. All injured players are invited to every Wales home game and each year the WRU host a 'Family Day' where the group can enjoy time together with their families."
The Prince and Princess then officially opened the Sir Tasker Watkins Suite.
More from the Welsh Rugby Union:
'The former Welsh Rugby Union President, judge and war hero passed away in September 2007 aged 88. The service was attended by a raft of leading figures from Welsh public life and sport.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who was among those at the service, has described him as “one of the outstanding Welshmen of the 20th Century”.
Sir Tasker was WRU President for 11 years, and the national team wore black armbands in tribute to him for their opening game in the Rugby World Cup.
After the war ended he took up law as a career and rose through the legal system to become deputy lord chief justice.
He acted as deputy to the attorney-general in the tribunal into the 1966 Aberfan disaster when a coal tip slid onto the South Wales valleys village, killing 144 people, 116 of them children.'
It seems only fitting Sir Watkins Suite is unveiled by a future king. Below, Major Tasker Watkins receiving the Victoria Cross (highest gallantry award) from King George VI in 1945. Watkins single-handedly disarmed a German machine gun-post in 1944. William first met Sir Watkins as a young boy when he sat beside him with Princess Diana at a Rugby match (photo in this BBC article).
Sir Tasker Watkins was a monumental figure in Wales.
On #DDay75, listen to our players recount the incredible story of Sir Tasker Watkins, the former Welsh Rugby Union president whose brave actions in Normandy earned him the Victoria Cross. pic.twitter.com/rMG9mWGzQb
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) June 6, 2019
Watkins' statue takes pride of place outside Gate 3 of the Stadium. It was unveiled by his daughter Lady Mair Griffith-Williams in 2009. The Welsh Government and Cardiff Council contributed £50,000 each to ensure its completion.
The new space at the stadium which is dedicated to use by the injured players and their families ahead of matches.
The couple take their seats.
Singing the national anthem.
It was a win for the Princess with England winning 20-10.
The Princess brought back a familiar coat today.
The gorgeous houndstooth Catherine Walker coat was debuted in Sweden in 2018 when she was expecting Prince Louis.
Kate wore a black turtleneck dress underneath with her black Aquatalia ankle boots.
Accessorising with her Mappin & Webb Empress earrings.
Another view.
The Princess carried her Mulberry Amberley bag.
A reminder: William and Kate have several engagements in South Wales on Tuesday.
A word of thanks for the very kind feedback on my new project The Royal Decade. Please click here if you would like to visit.
I was pleased to see that Kate has had one of my favourite maternity coats reworked. I like the re-wear and the fact that it's been altered (we get to take a fresh, slightly different look at it). Both of them looked to be on good form today.
ReplyDeleteI love this coat! It was attractive when she was expecting, but it's stunning now. Perfect late-winter look.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the Royal couple spend time meeting injured players who are supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust. Fabulous organization and great visit for the injured players. The Princess looked great. Wonderful to see a rewear of this beautiful coat, love it. The different accessories work in well. Her hair and makeup looked divine.
ReplyDeleteLove the coat rewear, including the shorter-than-lately length.
ReplyDeleteAgree.I think this length is extremly flattering and the whole cut creates a good balance.
DeleteShe looks great! So fun to see both William and Catherine supporting their teams.
ReplyDeleteAli
Thanks for the background information, as I’m not very familiar with rugby. Always fun to see a rewear, remembering the first outing in Sweden when she was pregnant! I don’t love the top as much with a turtleneck, but I understand needing to stay warm. I bet they wish they could wear puffy coats like they used to before becoming royal patrons. :) looking forward to next week’s events. Sue in IL
ReplyDeleteReally love it with the black accents, really cements it as a winter coat :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see this gorgeous coat again. I love the styling, perfect for the event & the very cold Welsh day. It’s so lovely to see them back in Wales, and I’m sure we’ll see many more of these days across 2023 & beyond.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for your ever punctual and precise reporting. I don't love Kate's look to be honest. The coat is pretty but extremely hard to accessorize and sadly in my opinion Kate hasn't really succeeded at it in either of its outings. Also I feel that Kate' s make up isn't particularly flattering, I can't put my finger on it exactly but it seems somehow puffy and heavy. I can't wait for the Tuesday engagements.
ReplyDeleteElla
Is Kate wearing a brooch?
ReplyDeleteI am wondering the same thing... a very small pin on her collar.
DeleteI saw that as well. It looks like a rose. (Zoom in on photo under caption - another view)
Deletelove the coat, it would have worked better with a black, maroon or red handbag. The white is too splashy ! I think.
ReplyDeleteLoving the Aquatalia ankle boots! What a blast from the past.
ReplyDeleteIt’s always wonderful to see Kate and she always looks beautiful but I’m not a fan of this coat on its own or in this color combo
ReplyDeleteLike the Queen before her, The Princess of Wales often wears bright & bold colors/prints so that she can be seen in the crowd; as the Queen used to say, when the royals are in attendance, the people want to be able to see them! Perhaps it would not be a stylistic choice for the masses, but for The Princesss of Wales, it is a spot-on choice!
DeleteLooks like they both had a great day out. I don't remember this coat but definitely think it looks better the first time she wore it. She looked beautiful as always and stood out in the crowd. Job done. S.😊.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I prefer the look when Kate wore this coat in Sweden, I think Kate looks amazing! The Sweden look was better, in my opinion, because her hair was shorter & bouncier which was more flattering than the longer, straighter hair that she has currently. The coat is fabulous. Love the length. Love that it is a bright cheerful look for a winter day. It's 100% Kate's kind of coat with the peter pan collar and the double row of buttons. Black tights with the booties are a great winter style. However, like many have commented here, I also preferred it without the black tights & turtleneck, which were probably needed for warmth in Wales. The combination of black with the orange in this particular coat makes me think of Halloween. Perhaps this coat should be worn in weather that doesn't require tights and a turtleneck? Or a white scarf for warmth in lieu of the black turtleneck? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteA very nice re wear of this coat and she stood out in the crowd, which was lovely I thought. I think white bags are firmly a summer accessory colour for me I think a red bag would have looked better. I'm still not liking the length of her hair at the moment and when I see her hair from the Sweden visit photo, I really think that length looks so much better on her although her hair colour was not so good then. I don't normally notice much William's clothing, but I do notice others commenting on William's lack of personality in his wardrobe, but then I saw pictures of CP Frederik of Denmark on a current trip to India and he is looking very sharp and is older than William so I think yes Will could up his styling! ; ) Sue in WA
ReplyDeleteI like the coat but it's probably a difficult coat to style, unless you go for a cream roll neck and cream wool trousers.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a messy miss - and the boots in combination with the bag ... who thought that was a good and fresh idea? Sack the stylist, if s/he isn't sacked already (...irony)
Heidi
I loved this coat the first time and love it again today. I thnk the red and white really pop against the black. I also adore the bag. Her smile is always her best accessory.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for this lovely post! W&K look wonderful & this is one of my favorite coats, both last time we saw it & this. They look so great in those pics of them sitting together, with her red/white coat & his red scarf. They are so in sync, on so many levels & after living through the sad drama (which was Diana & Charles as P&P of Wales) it's so refreshing to see them breathe new life into the role!
ReplyDeleteThey continue to remind me of George VI & Queen Elizabeth (in terms of truly being a team) but with their own twist & confidence! They are a treasure! :) xoxo
Charlotte Congrats on your new endeavor & launching the new site. I can't wait to get over there & be a devoted reader/member!
Thank you Becca, looking forward to seeing you over there :)
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