Princess Kate is in her element at Windsor Castle reception following travel disaster – best photos

The Princess of Wales told the team how she plays rugby at home with her children, adding: “I wouldn’t want to be tackled by George”.

Kate told members of the World Cup winning Red Roses England ladies’ rugby team that both Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, seven, play the sport at school, while Charlotte, ten, joins in when the family plays together at home.

Many of those that were at the event had been honoured with OBEs and MBEs during the New Years Honours. These included Zoe Stratford, Marlie Packer, John Mitchell, Megan Jones, Sadia Kabeya and Ellie Kildunne.

During a discussion about how schools often don’t segregate boys and girls for sport when they are younger, she said: “Charlotte is playing rugby but at home with the family, so she isn’t yet at school. Rugby is so accessible; Louis is playing touch rugby and it’s such a great game. Actually, they shouldn’t necessarily need to pigeonhole boys and girls in particular sports too early. 

"Obviously as they get physically stronger – George now, if we play at home, I do not want to get tackled by George! But, up to a certain age I think it’s great."

Chatting to captain Zoe Stratford (formerly Aldcroft), vice captains Marlie Packer and Megan Jones and head coach John Mitchell, Kate told how Louis joins Rugbytots sessions.

“He’s sort of seven, eight now and he’s enjoying it,” she said. “At this time of year the pitch is either totally swamped or they’re hard.”

A tour of Windsor Castle had been scheduled for the day, but after the team's coach broke down en route, it had to be cancelled. Hopefully another time!

The team, who were all wearing their winners’ medals, had been celebrating the night before with a ball to Grosvenor Hotel in London.

“Was everyone there last night? Any sore heads this morning?” Kate asked, to laughs. “Honestly, really well done. I hope you were able to celebrate last night and to really reminisce on what an incredible achievement. What does it feel like looking back on that time now?”

She added: “You’ve really inspired all the new generation [that] perhaps might not even have thought rugby was for them. I think it really showed how accessible rugby is to so many types of girls in different parts of the country.”

The royal looked so glamorous as she stood with the trophy and was handed a jersey. Kate was also shown a scrap book compiled by prop Maud Muir, containing memorabilia from her World Cup journey, and captain Zoe handed the Princess a bag of gifts – a signed England rugby shirt and a medal.