Kate takes over as royal rugby patron from Harry

The Duchess of Cambridge has taken over as patron of English rugby, replacing Prince Harry. She becomes the face of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League. According to her Kensington Palace aides, the positions represent her “longstanding love for athletics and the lifetime advantages it can give.”

When Prince Harry stood down as a working member of the Royal Family, he returned the honorary responsibilities.

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These patronages are bestowed by the Queen, who was formerly the patron of the Rugby Football Union before Prince Harry took over for a five-year term ending in 2021.

The Duchess of Cambridge will now be one of the public faces of the Rugby Football Union, which has 1,900 member clubs and serves as the regulatory body for grassroots and elite rugby unions in England.

“As rugby clubs re-open throughout the nation, players, officials, and volunteers are enjoying being back in the game together, and we know the duchess’s support will be highly appreciated,” said chief executive Bill Sweeney.

The duchess will also serve as patron of the Rugby Football League, which includes professional and grassroots clubs, as well as wheelchair rugby.

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“We are happy to welcome her as we prepare to host the men’s, women’s, wheelchair, and physical handicap rugby league World Cups in England this autumn,” said Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of rugby league.

“Our sport’s history has been based on a dedication to addressing injustices, and we honour that by focusing on having a good social impact that extends well beyond the playing field.”

The news comes ahead of the start of this year’s Six Nations rugby union championship, which begins this weekend.

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The duchess, as patron of the England squad, will compete against her husband, Prince William, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, in this competition. Princess Anne, his aunt, is a patron of the Scottish Rugby Union.