Princess of Wales' Yorkshire visit shows her passion for "gold dust" rugby

Kate visited Bradford, Wakefield and the Peak District over the course of the day to “shine a light on the healing power of creativity, community and nature.”

While Storm Chandra brought rain and wind, Catherine was all smiles as she met with rugby players, supporters and youngsters at Wakefield Trinity RLFC’s stadium.

The Princess, who is the Patron of the Rugby Football League, spoke passionately about her admiration for the sport as she sat down with a group of elderly people all connected with the club.

The In Touch group, which includes former players of the club, meets weekly to help isolated elderly people connect through conversations, outings and walks.

Kate joined the group as they took part in a quiz at the stadium.

Speaking to members, the Princess reflected on rugby’s unique position in the Yorkshire community. She said: “It’s lovely to bring everyone together, being able to reminisce and to do fun things.

“It just shows how valuable a club like this is. I think about communities who don’t have places like this.

“I love league games. They are just so embedded in community life, they’re like gold dust. I’m so proud to support the league.”

Former Wakefield Trinity player Geoff Oakes was among the group. Speaking after their meeting, he said: “It’s been incredible. She was so natural and beautiful. Everyone was in this room was so impressed.

“It’s been once in a lifetime – nearly. There’s a picture of me playing in front of the [late] Duke of Edinburgh. Without a doubt, a career highlight was playing in front of the Queen, and Prince Philip presented me with the trophy.

“This group is brilliant. You can meet people like you who have watched the game and played the game, it’s a pleasure.

“We can’t believe the Princess came. She’s just lovely.”

Denise Teal, lead trustee at Wakefield Community Foundation, said: “Today means everything. When we found out she was coming, and this group was put forward, I couldn’t wait to see their faces, and for her to see how much it means to them.”

Kate then journeyed onto the pitch, where she met with youngsters from Wakefield’s Inspiring Futures programme, which supports those who are at risk of anti-social behaviour and youth crime through goal setting, stress management, and teamwork.

Ashleigh Seddon, RFL impact manager said: “The core of rugby league is to deliver social impact.

“We run a programme to support inequalities. Wakefield works with 12 schools in the area with a programme to reduce anti-social behaviour.

“Today’s been a fantastic showcase for the sport.

They included 13-year-old Zach Gundill, a pupil at King’s School in Pontefract. He said: “Today has been a great opportunity.

“This programme has helped me so much. Before, I was getting into a lot of trouble, but now I can control my anger a lot more in the classroom and outside of school as well.

“The Princess asked what I enjoyed about the programme.”

Kate also met with girls from two Wakefield schools playing in the Champion Schools competition. The RFL has been running this programme for over 20 years as a secondary school knock-out competition played at the start of the academic year.

The Princess, known to be very sporty and competitive herself, held a rugby ball as she watched the girls be put through their paces.

Crofton Academy pupil Lydia, 12, said: “It’s been so thrilling and exciting to meet the Princess.

“I asked her about what sports she’s done in the past, and what her kids do.

“I asked if Charlotte is interested in rugby, and Kate said she was, and that Louis has done some before too.

“Rugby means a lot to me. My brother is the captain of Sharlston Rovers and that’s how I know how to play.”

PE teacher Alex Miller said: “Girls’ rugby has taken off massively. It’s just going from strength to strength.

“The girls want to be the next superstar, there’s so many interested in rugby.

“How many times do you get to say you’ve met the Princess of Wales? The girls will remember it forever.”

Earlier in the day, Catherine visited Family Action’s Children’s Trauma Therapy Service in Bradford she met a little girl and her therapist and helped the unnamed five-year-old use a shell to listen to the sea.

The Princess told her: “That’s what I like doing with shells. If you close your eyes you can sometimes imagine you’re by the beach.”

The girl replied “yes” when Catherine asked if she could hear the waves and also showed her a “potion” she had made that would keep “the bad dreams” away.

The centre is run by national charity Family Action, Catherine supports as patron, which helps children aged four to 18 and their families recover from trauma that can include abuse and bereavement.