Kate Middleton offered a rare glimpse into Princess Charlotte’s school life — and her sporting interests — during a visit to Wakefield Trinity Rugby Club in northern England on January 27.
The Princess of Wales, 44, stepped onto the pitch to meet young girls taking part in the club’s Champion Schools program, marking her second stop on her first solo trip of the year. As patron of the Rugby Football League, Kate chatted openly with the budding athletes, touching on everything from rugby to raising active children.
When one girl asked whether 10-year-old Princess Charlotte plays sports, Kate revealed that while her daughter is very athletic, there’s one game missing from her school schedule. “She does loads of sports, but not much rugby yet,” Kate explained, noting that rugby can be difficult to access in schools.
Reflecting on her own childhood, Kate shared that she played plenty of netball growing up but never took part in rugby or football. She joked that the sport requires a completely different skill set, before asking the girls how they felt about rugby’s physical nature. When they replied that they enjoyed it, Kate remarked that there aren’t many sports where contact is actually encouraged.
Kate and Prince William are parents to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, 7. Over the years, they’ve spoken about Charlotte’s love of track, ballet, tap dancing, soccer, and gymnastics. Charlotte and George have also joined their parents at Wimbledon, and the family even has a tennis court at their country home, Anmer Hall.
Although Charlotte doesn’t yet play rugby at school, Kate recently shared that her daughter enjoys the sport at home with the family. Speaking earlier this month at a reception for England’s Women’s Rugby team, Kate revealed that Charlotte plays informally, while Louis is enrolled in a child-friendly rugby program.
Kate also joked that as George grows stronger, she’s learned to stay out of his way during family rugby games — proof that sporty competition runs deep in the Wales household.
