Kate throws rugby ball in video marking her new patronages

A new video shows the Duchess of Cambridge passing a rugby ball to players to mark her new patronages of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Rugby Football League (RFL).

Kate has taken over the Duke of Sussex’s former roles as patron of the RFU and RFL.

In the clip, posted to Kensington Palace’s social media channels, the duchess is seen wearing workout gear and throwing a rugby ball off-screen.

In the next frame, the ball lands in the hands of Thea Northcott, a Rugby Union community game player, who passes it on to Harry Newman from the England Rugby League men’s team.

Kate was given the royal patronages by the Queen, and Kensington Palace said the high-profile sporting appointments “closely align with Her Royal Highness’ long-standing passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide”.

It makes the duchess the first member of the royal family to officially receive one of the Sussexes’ past patronages, and the confirmation comes ahead of the start of the Guinness Six Nations tournament this weekend.

The video’s caption on Twitter reads: “I am so thrilled to become Patron of the @TheRFL and @EnglandRugby.

“Two fantastic organisations who are committed to harnessing the power that sport can have in bringing communities together and helping individuals flourish.”

“I look forward to working with them across all levels of the games, and to cheering England on in what promises to be an exciting year for both sports! C”

The video also features Jodie Cunningham from the England Rugby League women’s team, Maro Itoje from the England Rugby Union men’s team, James Simpson from the England Rugby League wheelchair men’s team, and Poppy Cleall from the England Rugby Union women’s team.

Kate’s new affiliation with England