Kate Middleton beamed as she congratulated England’s rugby players in their changing room after they saw off Fiji in a thrilling Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
The Princess of Wales, 41, was photographed applauding the team after they resisted a late-game pushback by the South Pacific nation to win the match 30-24.
She shook hands with Samoan-born centre Manu Tuilagi, placing a hand on his shoulder as she beamed and congratulated him and the team on their progress into the semi-finals.
The game was staged at the Stade de Marseille, and prior to the match she sparkled as she met with delegates including Benoit Payan, the mayor of the French city, as well as England Rugby Football Union president Rob Bryers and Sir Bill Beaumont, chairperson of World Rugby.
The Princess of Wales continued her new style of smart dressing for the victorious day, opting for a £30 white blazer from Zara – which she has previously worn.
Kate Middleton beams as she applauds England’s rugby team after it saw off Fiji to progress to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup
The Princess of Wales, 41, places a congratulatory hand on the shoulder of Samoan-born centre Manu Tuilagi as she shakes his hand in the dressing room
Kate, who wore a £30 Zara jacket for the occasion, earlier shook hands with officials and local delegates, including the mayor of Marseille Benoit Payan (pictured)
Kate, who is the patron of the England Rugby Football Union, shares a laugh with Rob Bryers, president of the RFU, and Sir Bill Beaumont, chairperson of World Rugby, ahead of the match
The Princess of Wales, attends the England-Fiji quarter-final at the Rugby World Cup
Kate cheered on as England took on Fiji in the Rugy World Cup quarter final in France
The Princess looked tense as she watched the England sqaud
Kate Middleton opted for another smart look as she arrived to cheer on England in their Rugby World Cup quarter final clash against Fiji in Marseille today
The Princess of Wales, 41, continued her new style of smart dressing for the victorious day, opting for a £30 white blazer from Zara – which she has previously worn
Kate chatted to Bill Beaumont, the chairperson of World Rugby and former Question Of Sport star
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
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.
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 today.
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
Catherine, Princess of Wales and Patron applauds prior to the Rugby World Cup France
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
‘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.
Princess of Wales and Patron of the England Rugby Football Union (RFU), and Sir Bill Beaumont CBE, Chairperson of World Rugby
Kate paired her white jacket with black trousers
All laughs: The princess giggled with staff at the game
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 has travelled to France with Prince William to cheer on Wales in their quarter-final clash against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup
Ten-year-old George joined William at the Stade de Marseille on Saturday – the first time the youngster has watched an international sporting fixture in person overseas
Prince George put on an animated display as he watch Wales take on Argentina in the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup today
World Rugby chairman and former England captain Sir Bill Beaumont welcomed Prince George
The pair were also greeted by Welsh Rugby Union president Gerald Davies before the match
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.’
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. George is pictured today
Prince William the Prince of Wales and his son Prince George at the Rugby World Cup
George looked delighted to watch Wales
George – a future Prince of Wales – arrived with his father, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union
George – a future Prince of Wales – arrived with his father, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union
William looked delighted as her chatted to others
William and George adorably matched in red ties
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
Prince George has travelled to France with Prince William to cheer on Wales in their quarter-final clash against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup
Ten-year-old George joined William at the Stade de Marseille on Saturday – the first time the youngster has watched an international sporting fixture in person overseas
Prince George put on an animated display as he watch Wales take on Argentina in the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup today
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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