Princess of Wales cheers Red Roses as England clinches Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
Kate Middleton posts a pre-final shout-out on Instagram and later congratulates England after the victory, underscoring the royal family’s ongoing support for women’s rugby and public-health advocacy.
LONDON — The Princess of Wales publicly backed England's Red Roses as they claimed the Women’s Rugby World Cup title, posting a pre-final photo on Instagram and attending the championship match at Twickenham. In the image, the 43-year-old duchess wore a red hat and posed with three England players ahead of the final, which pitted England against Canada. The post carried the message, “Good luck England! 🌹🤠 Wishing the very best of luck to the @redrosesrugby in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham today. We’re so proud of you! C.” England, nicknamed the Red Roses, went on to win the final, delivering a milestone moment for women’s rugby in England.
The victory capped a tournament in which England’s squad navigated a long season and high expectations, and it underscored the growing profile of women’s rugby in Britain. The final, staged at a premier venue in the country’s capital region, drew crowds and global attention to a team that has repeatedly demonstrated depth, speed and tenacity throughout the World Cup.
Earlier in the tournament, Middleton showed her support in Brighton on Sept. 6, when she attended a World Cup event honoring the Red Roses ahead of their Pool A clash with Australia. After England’s resounding 47-7 victory over Australia, the princess shared congratulations in the locker room, telling the players in a video posted to X, “What an amazing game, well done everybody. It was a big nerve wracking, I’m not going to lie, to start off. But no, incredible. I would have loved to have been here during the half time chat, whatever the half time chat was about. You did brilliantly, so fantastic. Amazing to have the crowds that you’ve had. You must really feel the energy from everybody, so hope you’ve felt the support.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has served as patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) since 2022, a role that has positioned her as one of the sport’s most prominent royal supporters. The public appearances align with a broader pattern of Middleton’s involvement in sport and charitable work, complementing her role as a high-profile advocate for health and resilience. Her public facing duties have continued through a difficult period in the royal family following personal health challenges reported in 2024.
In September 2024, Middleton announced that she was cancer-free after a battle with the disease, a moment she described in a post as a relief after months of chemotherapy. “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she wrote, adding that the last nine months had been “incredibly tough” for her family. The year that followed has included candid reflections on life after cancer, with Middleton reiterating in January 2025 that being in remission is a relief and that there is much to look forward to in the year ahead. “There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support,” she said.
Her public arc has unfolded alongside other royal disclosures about health and resilience. William, the Prince of Wales, has also spoken openly about personal and family challenges in recent months, underscoring the couple’s ongoing public presence as they navigate public life amid serious health concerns within the family. The royals’ visibility at rugby events comes as England’s women’s team strengthens its place on the world stage, with the World Cup title fueling conversations about investment in women’s sport and pathways for future generations of players.
The World Cup win marks a notable moment for English rugby and for women’s sports in the country. The Red Roses’ success adds to a narrative of rising prominence for women’s rugby, which has benefited from increased media coverage, sponsorship, and youth participation in recent years. Middleton’s involvement—through patronage and public appearances—has been cited by observers as a signal of sustained royal support that can help broaden the sport’s reach beyond traditional rugby circles.
As England closes out the World Cup cycle, organizers, players and fans will look to a future in which the team’s momentum translates into continued investment and participation across the sport. The Princess of Wales’ posts and public remarks during the tournament have reinforced a message of pride and encouragement for the athletes who carried England’s hopes on and off the field. For now, the Red Roses’ victory stands as a landmark achievement in a season rich with narrative, punctuated by the royal family’s ongoing engagement with English sport and public life.