Kate, William Honor Late Duchess of Kent at Women’s Rugby World Cup

Prince William and Princess Kate paid heartfelt tributes to the late Duchess of Kent, who died at 92, during separate Women’s Rugby World Cup matches. Kate honored the Duchess by wearing black while cheering for England at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, and William, patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, wore black as he supported Wales in Exeter, where he comforted the players after their narrow defeat. Their public appearances marked their return from a summer break, with William also scheduled for further royal engagements later in the week. The couple issued a joint statement praising the Duchess’s tireless work and expressing sympathy for the Duke of Kent and their family. William’s empathetic support of the Welsh team has been seen as a touching continuation of the Duchess’s legacy of warmth and compassion in sport. Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duchess’s funeral will take place at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, following a private chapel resting at Kensington Palace.