Kate Middleton tells the England Rugby Team they should be ‘proud’ in sweet message after World Cup heartbreak following semi-final loss to South Africa
- Princess of Wales cheered on England against Fiji at the Rugby World Cup
- READ MORE: Prince William brings George to Paris to support Wales
- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
Kate Middleton has commiserated the England rugby team after they crashed out of the World Cup during a semi-final clash against South Africa.
The Princess of Wales, 41, was not present at the Stade de France in Paris where the Springboks clinched a last-minute win over the Red Roses, but shared personalised messages to the team on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
Taking to both social media platforms Kate, who is patron of the Rugby Football Union, told the team they should be ‘proud’ of what they had achieved, following South Africa’s last minute win to seal their place in the final by just a point.
With the final score at 16-15 to the Springboks, Kate wrote: ‘You can be so proud of yourselves @EnglandRugby. Though it may have been defeat today, you can walk away from this tournament with your heads held high. C’
Her heartfelt message to the squad follows earlier words of good luck she had sent earlier in the day, also signed off with her initial, C – meaning it was written by the Princess herself.
Princess Kate, 41, has sent a personal message to the England Rugby Team following their loss to South Africa at the Rugby World Cup
Kate took to X to write ‘Wishing you the very best of luck for your semi-final match later today England Rugby. Good luck! C.’ She added a red rose emoji to the tweet.
She has cheered England on twice already this tournament, making solo trips to stadiums to watch the Red Roses first take on Argentina in the group stage, and then their quarter-final clash with Fiji last week – however she did not travel to Paris forthe semi-final.
It is thought the mother-of-three is instead spending time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are all on half-term from school.
Last week, as the Red Roses took on Fiji in the quarter final, the Princess looked jubilant at their win.
Kate, who was seen singing the national anthem at Stade de Marseille, may have been the Red Roses lucky charm after she oversaw their incredible opening round victory over Argentina in the same stadium.
Taking to both Twitter and Instagram, Kate told the squad they should be ‘proud’ of their performance after a narrow loss
The Princess of Wales (pictured at England’s group game against Argentina) has travelled to France twice so far to watch the Red Roses
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Kate left the red roses a personal message of good luck that she signed off with ‘C’
The Princess of Wales, attends the England-Fiji quarter-final at the Rugby World Cup
England fared better than Wales – who lost to to Argentina yesterday while Prince William and George cheered them on
One rugby fan told Kate to divorce William and marry him
Princess of Wales meets a young fan in the stands at half-time
England fared better than Wales – who lost to to Argentina yesterday while Prince William and George cheered them on.
George – who appears to have shown his loyalty to Wales – didn’t make the trip out today. Kate was instead joined by Bill Beaumont, the chairperson of World Rugby and Rob Bryers, President of the RFU.
The Princess was joined by tens of thousands of England fans who took over the sun-kissed city last weekend.
Supporters invaded the bars lining the streets to the Stade de Velodrome dressed as knights as they willed Steve Borthwick’s men to do the business.
They were seen belting out hits including Sweet Caroline as the idyllic French city turned English for one day only.
The Red Roses upped their game to defeat the Flying Fijians – who beat them at Twickenham earlier this year.
But among those backing them to do the job was Blair Sales, 60, and his son Seb, 20, who came dressed as knights for the epic fight.
Before the match, Mr Sales, who has worn the same outfit to the last three world cups, said: ‘I think we’ll do it today – we’ve got to against Fiji.’ Seb, who travelled with his father from Bath, added: ‘If we get the scrum right we should win.’
Debbie Harris and Mike Taylor came dressed as Knuckles McGinty from Paddington 2 and are hoping England will put the Fijians on lockdown.
Mr Taylor said: ‘I’m expecting England to turn it on today, I think they’ll do it.’
Bradley Webster, 38, and friends James Chappell, 43, and Nigel Wilson, 58, came dressed as Fijians in Hawaii outfits but believe the Red Roses will win.
Continuing her new style of smart dressing, the royal opted for an all white ensemble
‘I think it will be tight, but we will do it,’ said Mr Chappell.
England are the only home nation left in the competition after Wales and Ireland crashed out last night.
But Fijians were looking for an upset with Isireli Vulaidausiga, 42, and Waisea Boginisoki, 40, travelling all the way from the pacific island for the match.
The team was stunned by Portugal last week after a good run of form.
Mr Vulaidausiga said: ‘This is different, this is a quarter final. It’s do or die. I think we will do it – but may the best team win.’
It comes after Prince George put on an animated display as he watched Wales take on Argentina in the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup.
The royal, 10, travelled to France with Prince William to cheer on Wales at the Stade de Marseille on Saturday, adorably matching with his father.
Rob Bryers, President of the RFU, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Patron of the England Rugby Football Union (RFU), and Sir Bill Beaumont CBE, Chairperson of World Rugby
Kate looked delighted to watch on
The outing is the first time the youngster has watched an international sporting fixture in person overseas, and he certainly made the most of it
While his mother the Princess of Wales supported the England rugby side as the patron of the Rugby Football Union, George, by attending the Wales game, appeared to have made his loyalties clear.
George – a future Prince of Wales – arrived with his father, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.
He was a mini-me of William, with both wearing matching navy suits and red ties – the latter seemingly a patriotic nod to the Welsh side.
The pair were greeted by World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, France 2023 deputy chief executive Martine Nemecek and Welsh Rugby Union president Gerald Davies.
George was the first to be welcomed by Sir Bill, stepping forward to shake the former England rugby player’s hand and say hello.
William laughed and chatted with the former England captain, telling him: ‘Nice to see you. I thought I’d bring George along tonight.’
Prince George put on an animated display as he watch Wales take on Argentina in the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup today
Introducing his son to Davies, William remarked: ‘Gerald wore the jersey for Wales and was one of the best players ever. Bill played for England.’
Pointing to Davies and then to Sir Bill, William joked: ‘He was very fast and he was quite sluggish.’
George and William were sat in the Presidential Box to watch the game.
In February last year, George stood between his parents as they watched England versus Wales in the Six Nations, but he was undecided on who to support.
Quizzed at Twickenham on who he would pick, the young prince shrugged his shoulders and smiled at William, who laughed and said: ‘It’s become quite the thing in the house,’ pointing at Kate, adding: ‘She is quite into it. I’m trying to stay out of it.’
The prince, who is gearing up for school entrance exams this autumn, plays rugby at school.
Last year, Kate asked George to tell the group that he was learning to play the game himself. ‘He has all the kit,’ she said. George described how he had begun learning how to tackle, turning to his mother to say: ‘But I haven’t tackled you yet!’
A laughing Kate replied: ‘Yes you have.’
Kate revealed that George and his siblings Charlotte, six, and Louis, three, were ‘all enjoying’ rugby, with Louis adopting a ‘kamikaze’ style of play.
William, who is also patron of the Football Association, was criticised in May for deciding not to attend the historic Women’s World Cup final when England battled Spain in Sydney.
Wales finished on the top of their pool, going undefeated throughout the group stages, including a dominant 40-6 win over Australia.
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