Kate Middleton Wows in a Red Outfit With a Hidden Meaning for Her First Solo Appearance of 2026

The Princess of Wales hosted a reception for England’s women’s rugby team at Windsor Castle on January 15.

The Gist

• Kate Middleton attended her first solo engagement of 2026 on January 15, hosting a reception at Windsor Castle for members of England’s women’s rugby team, who won the World Cup last year.

• The Princess of Wales has served as patron of the Rugby Football Union since 2022.

• Her appearance Thursday follows a joint engagement alongside Prince William on January 8—the first time either had been seen publicly since Christmas Day at Sandringham.

Kate Middleton is taking part in her first solo engagement of 2026 today, exactly one week after her first joint engagement of the year alongside husband Prince William.

On January 15, the Princess of Wales—who is patron of the Rugby Football Union—hosted a reception at Windsor Castle for England’s women’s rugby team following their World Cup win last year. In addition to meeting the future queen, the team showed off the World Cup itself to the Princess of Wales. The Red Roses, as they are called, beat Canada with a score of 33-13 back in September to earn the title of champions.

The Princess of Wales’s head-to-toe Alexander McQueen wide-legged red pantsuit is no doubt a nod to the team’s nickname of the Red Roses. She accessorized the pantsuit, complete with an asymmetric jacket, with a necklace, wearing her long brunette hair down and in waves.

Although Kate wasn’t at the match itself, she shared a photo on social media, writing alongside it, “Good luck England! Wishing the very best of luck to the @redrosesrugby in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham today. We’re so proud of you!” She signed off with a “C” for Catherine, indicating the message had come directly from her.

She also shared a photo of herself alongside players Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, and Jess Breach, where the Princess of Wales can be seen wearing a red cowboy hat with a tiara-like design.

Kate took over the role of patron of the Rugby Football Union in 2022, after Prince Harry was forced to give up the role following his step back from working royal duties in 2020. In what often amounts to a lighthearted rivalry, William is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

The engagement Thursday follows the Prince and Princess of Wales’s joint appearance at Charing Cross hospital on January 8, the first time the couple had been seen in public since Christmas Day at Sandringham.

“Last year was survival then recovery mode, picking her moments and pacing herself,” royal biographer Robert Jobson told Hello! of the Princess of Wales. “This year, I expect Catherine to carry out more engagements but be selective. Her diary is already filling up, I am told. But she won’t go back to the old pace—she’s learned that lesson. It will be meaningful, with gaps in between for her family.”