Kate Middleton takes Harry's role as the patron of English rugby

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Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge was given the royal patronages by the Queen and Kensington Palace said the high-profile sporting appointments “closely align with Her Royal Highness’ long-standing passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide”. It makes the duchess the first member of the Royal Family to officially receive one of the Sussexes’ past patronages and the confirmation comes ahead of the start of the Guinness Six Nations tournament this weekend. Royal expert Robert Jobson has claimed Prince Harry is “envious”.

Speaking to the Australian morning show Sunrise, Mr Jobson said: “When he was representing England he was in great form.

“He was a real keen rugby nut and I’m sure he will be looking on rather enviously really at another thing he’s lost.

“But this is the way it’s going to be from now on, there’s no coming back.

“They’ve made the decision and they won’t be coming back.”

He added that Royal Family members are set to take on more of Harry and Meghan’s patronages.

Mr Jobson noted: “Patronages make a lot of money for those organisations if you’ve got a royal attached.”

It comes as a new video released by Kensington Palace to mark her new patronages, Kate can be seen passing a rugby ball to players.

The duchess said she was “thrilled” to take on the roles in a personal message accompanying the clip on social media.

Kate Middleton giggles with rugby player before being lifted up

The video shows her in workout gear and throwing a rugby ball off-screen.

In the next frame, the ball lands in the hands of Thea Northcott, a rugby union community game player, who passes it on to Harry Newman from the England rugby league men’s team.

The caption on Twitter reads: “I am so thrilled to become patron of the TheRFL and EnglandRugby.

“Two fantastic organisations who are committed to harnessing the power that sport can have in bringing communities together and helping individuals flourish.”

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“I look forward to working with them across all levels of the games, and to cheering England on in what promises to be an exciting year for both sports! C”

The video also features Jodie Cunningham from the England rugby league women’s team, Maro Itoje from the England rugby union men’s team, James Simpson from the England rugby league wheelchair men’s team, and Poppy Cleall from the England rugby union women’s team.

England’s first Six Nations game at Twickenham is against Wales on February 26, following away games against Scotland and Italy.

Kate’s new affiliation with England Rugby puts her in direct competition with husband the Duke of Cambridge, who is the Welsh Rugby Union’s patron.

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