Kate Middleton grins as rugby team lifts her in the air at training

Kate Middleton joined the English rugby team’s practice session as she made her debut as their new patron – in Prince Harry’s former role.

A grinning Kate Middleton has been hoisted in the air by the England rugby team as she made her debut as their new patron.

The Duchess of Cambridge was put through her paces during their training session – marking her new role as patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), reports The Sun.

The Duchess, who is known for her love of sport and her competitive nature, took to the pitch with players for a special skills session run by head England coach Eddie Jones.

Wearing a black England rugby top, black tracksuit bottoms and trainers, Kate was asked whether she was ready for her session as she was greeted at Twickenham.

The Duchess replied: “Absolutely. I’ve got my kit on.”

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Kate got right into the practice session. Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images

Kate then switched into a pair of rugby boots as she headed onto the pitch, laughing and chatting with fellow players.

Moments later, she was seen flying through the air, taking on a number of drills and showing off her lineout skills.

She was happy to show off her skills. Picture: Jeremy Selwyn – by WPA Pool/Getty Images

She was seen cheering enthusiastically during the session. Picture: Jeremy Selwyn – by WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kate has taken over the Duke of Sussex’s former roles as patron of both the RFU and the Rugby Football League (RFL) after being given them by the Queen.

She is the first member of the royal family to officially receive one of the Sussexes’ past royal patronages after Megxit.

The Duchess of Cambridge was meeting members of the men’s and women’s squads ahead of the Six Nations Championships and the Women’s World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand in the autumn. Picture: Jeremy Selwyn/Pool/AFP

Sharing her joy at the appointments in a personal message on Twitter, she wrote: “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.

“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!”

At one point, players lifted the laughing royal up into the air. Picture: Jeremy Selwyn – by WPA Pool/Getty Images

Her message was accompanied by a new video of the Duchess, dressed in workout gear, showing off her skills, as she throws, catches and smiles as she spins a rugby ball on her finger, and virtually passes to a host of players.

Confirming Kate’s appointment today, Kensington Palace said the role closely aligns with her “longstanding passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide”.

Rugby Football League CEO Ralph Rimmer said the organisation is “honoured” and “delighted” to welcome Kate.

Mr Rimmer said in a statement: “We are truly honoured by the appointment of the Duchess of Cambridge as the Rugby Football League’s royal patron.

“We are delighted to welcome her as we prepare to host Men’s, Women’s, Wheelchair and Physical Disability Rugby League World Cups in England this autumn.

“Our sport’s history has been built on a commitment to tackling inequalities and we honour that through our focus on having a positive social impact well beyond the pitch.

“We look forward to working with the Duchess in the years to come, and I know all levels of our sport will welcome her to the rugby league family.”

New role for Kate

Rugby Football Union CEO Bill Sweeney added: “It is a great honour to welcome the Duchess of Cambridge as our patron.

“Our aim is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union, develop the sport for future generations and create a successful thriving game across the country.

“As rugby clubs have reopened across the country, players, officials and volunteers are celebrating being back in the game together, and we know the support of the Duchess will be greatly valued from our grassroots clubs and fast-growing women and girls’ game, right up to our elite Men’s and Women’s England teams.”

Harry was forced to step down from his job as patron of the RFU last year after he and Meghan Markle quit royal life and moved to California.

Prince Harry receives a hug from a young girl as he meets pupils during his visit to The Rugby Football Union All Schools Program in 2019. Picture: Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The rugby-mad royal – who famously celebrated England’s 2003 World Cup win with the squad in Australia – had been patron at Twickenham since 2016.

He had taken over the role from the Queen, 95, having been her vice president since 2010.

But in February last year, Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming Her Majesty’s decision to relinquish Harry and Meghan of their honorary patronages – including Harry’s links to British sport.

The palace confirmed the “honorary military appointments and royal patronages held by the Duke and Duchess” would be “returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of the royal family”.

Until now, no member of the royal family has been handed one of the Sussexes’ patronages.

The Queen may now start to redistribute more of Meghan and Harry’s dormant roles.

For Harry, these include his ex-military affiliations as well as the presidency of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and the London Marathon Charitable Trust.

Meghan also had to hand back patronages with the Royal National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, as well as her vice presidency of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

Sporty Kate is already royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and has previously cheered on England’s stars at Twickenham.

The team is due to play Wales at Twickenham on February 26, with both William and Kate supporting their respective sides.

The Rugby Football League – established in 1895 – is the national governing body for Rugby League in the UK.

It covers all forms of grassroots and the professional game, including women’s and wheelchair rugby.

Meanwhile, the Rugby Football Union is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby union in England.

With 1900 member clubs, it is one of the largest sports organisations in the country.

Founded in 1871, it promotes and runs the sport, educates and trains players and officials, and runs the England men’s and women’s elite performance teams.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission