The Princess of Wales chose a deeply personal piece of modern jewellery to complement a classic scarlet suit as she hosted England's champion women's rugby team at Windsor Castle. Kate, 44, welcomed the Red Roses this afternoon to celebrate their historic Rugby World Cup triumph last autumn.
A Modern Tribute Amid Royal Tradition
In her role as patron of the Rugby Football Union, the Princess looked effortlessly elegant in a bold Alexander McQueen suit. However, it was her choice of accessories that carried a special significance. She wore her Auree 'Bali' January birthstone necklace, a £595 piece made from 9ct yellow gold and garnet. The necklace, which features a polished and brushed gold disc alongside the gemstone, served as a sweet nod to her birthday on January 9th.
This wasn't the necklace's first royal outing; Kate first debuted it in June 2022 while baking with her children for a Jubilee celebration. For the Windsor Castle reception, she paired it with a shimmering set of Katherine James pearl earrings. The £995 earrings, crafted from 18ct yellow gold, feature five pearls surrounded by delicate golden wiring.
Celebrating Sporting Excellence
The princess was on hand to congratulate the full squad, including notable figures who were recognised in the New Year Honours. Guests included captain Zoe Stratford, double World Cup winner Marlie Packer, and head coach John Mitchell, all appointed OBEs. They were joined by vice-captain Megan Jones, standout back row Sadia Kabeya, and Sports Personality of the Year nominee Ellie Kildunne, who all received MBEs.
Kildunne made history as the first female rugby player shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, a feat not achieved by an English rugby star since 2007. Speaking about the nomination, she expressed immense pride, stating it was an honour to challenge the notion that "no-one's bothered" about women's rugby.
The team's arrival was slightly delayed after their coach broke down, leading to the cancellation of a private castle tour. Despite the hiccup, the celebration proceeded, honouring a monumental victory. The Red Roses defeated Canada 33-13 in the final at a sold-out Twickenham, setting a new spectator record of 81,885 and securing their third World Cup title.
A Glittering Summer for Women's Sport
This World Cup win capped a spectacular period for English women's sport, following the Lionesses' retention of the Euros crown in July. The Red Roses' victory places them second only to New Zealand in all-time Women's Rugby World Cup wins.
Kate followed the team's campaign closely in her official role, watching a pool match against Australia in Brighton and even joining in celebratory sing-songs in the changing rooms. Her choice of jewellery for the Windsor event, while chic and modern, is currently inaccessible to admirers; both the Auree necklace and Katherine James earrings are sold out online.
