Prince William attended a Six Nations Championship rugby match at Principality Stadium on March 14, joining supporters as the Wales national rugby union team faced the Italy national rugby union team in the annual international tournament.
The 43-year-old royal appeared at the match in his role as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union. During the pre-match ceremony, William sang along in Welsh as the national anthem echoed throughout the stadium.
His appearance came at a time when the British royal family continues to face scrutiny related to his uncle, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, following his arrest and renewed attention surrounding his long-examined association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite the broader controversy surrounding the monarchy, the Prince of Wales kept his focus on the sporting occasion, watching from the stands and backing the Welsh side during the championship clash.
Prince William singing the Welsh national anthem at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff 🏴🏉
— The British Prince (@freedom_007__) March 14, 2026
pic.twitter.com/Xlc7TUH5ri
The Six Nations Championship remains one of rugby’s most prominent international competitions, featuring the men’s national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales each year. Separate editions of the tournament are also held for women’s teams and under-20 squads.
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Wales entered the match at the bottom of the Six Nations standings with one point, while Italy held fourth place with nine points. Defending champions France were tied at the top of the table with Scotland on 16 points each.
Prince William And Kate Middleton’s Friendly Rugby Rivalry
Prince William’s connection to Welsh rugby has occasionally created a friendly rivalry with his wife, Kate Middleton. While he serves as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, she holds the same role with the Rugby Football Union, which oversees the English national team.
William has held his patronage since 2016, while Middleton assumed her position in February 2022 after the role previously held by Prince Harry was reassigned when he and Meghan Markle stepped back from duties as working members of the royal family.
The couple’s household has also embraced the sport. Their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have developed an interest in rugby as well. In an interview reported by The Sunday Times, William joked that the family’s team loyalties have sparked playful competition at home.
He said the rivalry has become “quite the thing in the house,” adding that he is “trying to stay out of it.” William has also participated directly in the sport during royal visits. While in South Africa in November 2024 for his Earthshot Prize initiative, he joined former rugby player Joel Stransky on the field while coaching local children.
Stransky later described the interaction, saying, “He was amazing. He was one of the boys, humble and upright human being. I ran into him in the drill, and he was really cool about it. He’s a good ball player. You could see he’s a natural.”
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Historically, Wales holds the second-most titles in Six Nations history with 28 championships, trailing only England by one. Italy has yet to win the competition since joining the tournament.
