English Rugby star claims she will 'have to tattoo' Princess Kate after World Cup win

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 17/01/2026

- 11:46

She sent fans into a frenzy with a change in her outfit during the reception

A member of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup-winning England side has claimed she will “have to tattoo” the Princess of Wales, after she held a reception for the team at Windsor Castle.

The Red Roses beat Canada 33-13 in September as they won the World Cup for the third time in front of 81,885 spectators at Twickenham.


Kate is a patron of the Rugby Football Union and met with officials and staff from the organisation as well as the 32-player squad.

Ellie Kildunee, who tattooed “2025” on head coach John Mitchell after they won the tournament, has claimed she will have to tattoo Kate after the celebration.

Kate Middleton

Ellie Kildunee has claimed she needs to tattoo the Princess of Wales

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Ms Kildunne, who became synonymous with cowboy hats throughout the tournament, even placing one on the head of the princess after a win, spoke on meeting the Princess of Wales, telling BBC Sport: “It was the first thing she said when she came over to our group, 'Have you forgotten your cowboy hat this time?' I said 'it looks like you're the one that has forgotten your cowboy hat'.

“When she came to watch the game - I didn't really know the royal rules and whether you're not allowed to put a hat on - she put it on and did a bit of a cowboy dance and it's a special moment that she is now officially a cowboy.

“So I'll have to tattoo her soon."

The celebration was not without incident, as the Red Roses were an hour late to Windsor Castle after their bus broke down and the bus driver took a wrong turn.

The delay meant they missed out on a tour of Windsor Castle.

Princess Kate sparked fan frenzy at the meeting by swapping her sapphire engagement ring and showcasing her signature ring stack.

Kate Middleton, Ellie Kildunne

Ellie Kildunne became synonymous with cowboy hat's during the World Cup

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The Princess of Wales has been seen on multiple occasions wearing a series of bands on her ring finger, which she switches around depending on the engagement.

One eternity ring, which entered Kate's collection last year and is set with diamonds and sapphires, is believed to be the Étincelle de Cartier wedding band.

A second ring with slightly smaller diamonds is a nice compliment to the rest of the set.

Kate's third eternity ring is produced by Annoushka, one of the princess's favourite jewellers.

It features a diamond-encrusted style and is believed to be a present from Prince William following the birth of their first child, Prince George.

Kate Middleton

The Princess of Wales sent royal fans into a frenzy by swapping her sapphire engagement ring and showcasing her signature ring stack

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The fourth and final thin band is the Princess of Wales wedding ring, made from the same Welsh gold nugget used for Queen Elizabeth II's wedding band.

The princess's rotation has sent fans into a frenzy, all curious about what Kate will wear next.