The Princess of Wales swapped her trademark Alexander McQueen business suits for an England tracksuit today as she threw herself into a game of wheelchair rugby.
Kate, who was dubbed a natural after scoring a tricky conversion in front of England’s World Cup winners, raised her arms in celebration and laughed after punting the ball over the bar.
Despite revealing that she was “worried” about her injured finger before joining the session, the princess soon forgot all about her previous trampoline accident throwing herself into the game – and nearly toppling over for her efforts.
Her wheelchair skills impressed headcoach Tom Coyd who said her try was a tricky feat for a novice.
Mr Coyd, added: “I think she’s been having secret practice sessions before coming here, because she’s a natural. She even finished a passing move with a try in the corner – she blew me away to be honest.”
Kate, The Princess of Wales tries her hand at wheelchair rugby as she joins a training session facilitated by members of the world-cup winning England Wheelchair Rugby League squad, at Allam Sport Centre in Hull— (AP)
Dressed for a day celebrating diversity in Rugby League, Kate arrived at a sports hall in Hull wearing a polo-style shirt, tracksuit bottoms and trainers and declared: “I’ve come in sportswear to get stuck in.”
After revealing a few weeks ago she had hurt two fingers on her right hand in a trampoline accident, she again wore strapping on the digits as a precaution during the busy training session.
The future Queen, patron of the Rugby Football League, smiled, joked and introduced herself to many of her teammates during the practice period with Hull FC players and some members of the World Cup winning squad after being given a quick course in handling a wheelchair.
The Princess of Wales invited the squad to Hampton Court Palace for a reception (Owen Humphreys/PA)— (PA Wire)
But the pressure moment came when she had to hit the ball over the bar after watching England player Tom Halliwell expertly punt it between the posts.
Kate wheeled herself towards the ball, balanced on a short post, and punched it over to a round of applause and cheers from the watching internationals and club players.
The profile of wheelchair rugby is on the rise after England’s historic win last November, watched by Kate, William and their three children, and the princess invited the squad to Hampton Court Palace in January to celebrate the achievement.
Mr Coyd, 28, said after the visit: “It’s an amazing spectator sport, it covers all bases really, you’ve got the inclusivity, it’s the only sport in the world where at the top level you can have disabled and non-disabled players playing together.
“And Kate herself said the collisions that came through the TV, when they were watching it, was what hooked the kids in.”
Kate also took time to talk to the players during her visit— (PA)
Despite the dramatic crashes, which can send players flying from their chairs, the England coach said the wheelchairs protect the competitors “even today Kate got crashed into and came out with no bumps and bruises”.
The day was hosted by Rugby Football League, Hull FC and the University of Hull and staged at the university’s Allam Sport Centre.
The Rugby League inclusivity day saw Hull FC’s wheelchair, physical disability and learning disability teams take part in skills sessions and friendly matches, as did some university students.
Kate chatted to the players and even joined some passing drills with members of the learning disability squad and spent time chatting to the competitors.
Before leaving she was presented with England wheelchair Rugby League jerseys for her three children and posed for a picture with some of the national squad.
