Kate is put through her paces in rugby drills with England stars for key cause

07 June 2023 , 12:29

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The Princess of Wales was put through her paces as she showed off her sporting skills in an unusual rugby drill.

Kate visited Maidenhead Rugby Club today, where she took part in walking rugby as she raised awareness of the lifelong impact of early childhood and the importance of community settings in early years.

Kate, patron of the Rugby Football Union, wore casual Lululemon trainers, Sweaty Betty tracksuit bottoms and a pale blue England rugby training top as she met both local and national men's rugby players.

She joined in with their training and could be seen throwing and catching the ball with ex-international Danny Care and exchanging a joke with former star player Ugo Monye.

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Kate took part in rugby drills (Getty Images)

Kate tries to catch the ball during walking rugby (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Afterwards, she headed into the clubhouse where she heard about childhood experiences, fatherhood and the impact that settings such as sports clubs can have on creating a network of support when raising children.

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Her Shaping Us campaign, which was launched by the princess and the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in January 2023, aims to highlight the importance of supporting young children and those caring for them.

Others attending the event included representatives from Maidenhead RFC and Si Trower, the founder of mental health charity Brave Mind.

Kate wore trainers and tracksuit bottoms for the outing (PA)

The princess has been a long-term advocate for raising awareness around the importance of early childhood before starting the campaign earlier this year.

Last month, Kate was joined by rapper Professor Green, a supporter of the princess’s early years Shaping Us campaign, when she sat down with a group of young people who have been through the care system.

And just yesterday, she spoke to parents at a drop-in health visitors clinic and a baby massage session at the Windsor Family Hub.

Kate chats with England star Ugo Monye (PA)

Kate with England star Danny Care (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

She also joined a stress management course with mothers from the Punjabi community, and upon learning about the course said: "I'll come here and pick up some tips!"

The hub, run by not-for-profit organisation Achieving for Children, has provided children’s services across Windsor, Maidenhead and the surrounding areas since 2021.

Kate first met mothers and babies who had gathered for their weekly health clinic and joked with organisers about getting everyone together via WhatsApp.

Kate wore a pale blue England rugby training top (Getty Images)

The princess then sat in on a baby massage session in the hub’s sports hall, and discussed how the exercise can help parents to "bond with your babies”.

Suppressed mental health concerns and cultural change were the key topics as Kate then talked to mothers on the stress management course, with the princess emphasising the need to "normalise our emotional world in a safe environment".