Prince William stepped into a loud rugby stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, March 14, and did something that caught many fans by surprise. As the Welsh national anthem played before the Six Nations match between Wales national rugby union team and Italy national rugby union team, the Prince of Wales stood with supporters and sang in Welsh. The moment happened at Principality Stadium during the annual Six Nations Championship. William attended the game as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union. His appearance came at a sensitive time for the royal family. Public attention has again turned to William’s uncle, Prince Andrew, because of ongoing scrutiny around his past links to Epstein.
Still, inside the stadium, William kept his focus on rugby. Cameras showed him smiling, watching the match closely and singing with thousands of Welsh fans. For many supporters, the small gesture stood out. It showed the prince trying to connect with the crowd during one of rugby’s biggest tournaments.
Prince William sings Welsh anthem while supporting Wales against Italy in Six Nations match at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium
Rugby has long been close to Prince William’s public work. Since 2016, he has served as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union. Meanwhile his wife, Catherine Middleton, holds a similar role with the Rugby Football Union in England. Because of those roles, the couple often ends up on opposite sides when England and Wales play. Their friendly rivalry even reaches their home with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
In a past interview reported by The Sunday Times, William joked that rugby competition in the family had become “quite the thing in the house,” though he said he tries not to get too involved. Prince William’s role with Welsh rugby was not always his. The position was reassigned after Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties in 2020.
The prince also enjoys playing the sport himself when possible. During a visit to South Africa in November 2024 linked to his environmental program, the Earthshot Prize, William joined children on a rugby field and trained with former World Cup winner Joel Stransky.
Stransky later told People, “He was amazing. He was one of the boys, humble and upright human being.” Looking at the tournament itself, Wales entered the match struggling in the standings. Before kickoff, the team sat at the bottom of the Six Nations table with only one point. Italy, meanwhile, was in fourth place with nine points.
Defending champions France national rugby union team and Scotland national rugby union team were tied at the top with 16 points each. Historically, Wales has been one of the strongest teams in the tournament, winning the championship 28 times. Only the England national rugby union team has lifted the trophy more often. Italy, on the other hand, is still chasing its first Six Nations title.
Even with the pressure on Wales this year, the crowd in Cardiff remained loud and hopeful. And when Prince William joined the anthem before kickoff, it added another memorable moment to the day.
Celebrating India's sporting legends at the Times of India Sports Awards - Book Passes Now!.Sehjal Gupta is a sports journalist covering US and international...
Read MoreSehjal Gupta is a sports journalist covering US and international sports, with a specialization in the NFL. She has been writing about sports since 2025, reporting on leagues, tournaments, and athletes who shape the game. A Master’s in Management adds depth to her analysis, while her love for Hollywood movies and pop culture sparks her storytelling voice, a flair that also shapes her entertainment writing, giving it the same energy and creativity she brings to sports.
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