Prince William and Princess Kate had a packed day of separate engagements as they carried out their respective royal duties, marking their first solo appearances of 2026 in support of causes close to their hearts.
On Thursday, January 15, the Prince and Princess of Wales undertook engagements in different parts of the country. Princess Kate, who recently celebrated her 44th birthday, hosted a special reception at Windsor Castle, while Prince William, 43, headed to the countryside to highlight mental health support in rural communities.
As patron of the Rugby Football Union, the Princess of Wales welcomed England’s women’s rugby team, the Red Roses, to Windsor Castle to celebrate their Women’s Rugby World Cup victory last year. The royal family’s official social media account shared the moment, writing: “A great day hosting Women’s Rugby World Cup winners @redroserugby today at Windsor! Congratulations to you all – what an achievement!”
Photos from the reception showed Princess Kate looking elegant in a red pantsuit as she greeted players and accepted a signed team jersey, underscoring her ongoing commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity in sports.
Meanwhile, Prince William fulfilled his role as patron of We Are Farming Minds with a visit to Bridge End Farm in Herefordshire. During the visit, he spoke with farmers about the growing importance of mental health support in rural areas.
Kensington Palace also released a short video from the outing, showing the Prince of Wales feeding sheep and getting hands-on around the farm, highlighting his down-to-earth approach and dedication to raising awareness of mental health challenges faced by farming communities.
Together, the separate engagements reflected the Prince and Princess of Wales’ continued commitment to championing both sporting excellence and mental wellbeing as they begin a new year of royal duties.