England's Red Roses Celebrated at Windsor After World Cup Win

England's World Cup-winning women's rugby team brought their trophy to Windsor Castle for a royal celebration of their incredible achievement.

The Princess of Wales hosted the Red Roses at Windsor this week, honoring the squad that captured the nation's third Rugby World Cup title last autumn. Catherine, who serves as patron of the Rugby Football Union, had followed their journey closely throughout the tournament.

The final match at Twickenham made history in more ways than one. England dominated Canada with a decisive 33-13 victory while 81,885 spectators filled every seat, setting a new attendance record. The energy in the stadium reflected how far women's rugby has come since England's first World Cup win in 1994.

Catherine wasn't just watching from the sidelines during the tournament. She attended England's pool match against Australia in Brighton and even joined the team in their changing rooms afterward for a celebratory sing-along. That kind of support from the royal family helps shine a spotlight on women's sports.

The guest list at Windsor included some truly deserving champions. Captain Zoe Stratford, double World Cup winner Marlie Packer, and head coach John Mitchell all received OBE honors in the New Year Honours list. Vice-captain Megan Jones, standout player Sadia Kabeya, and Sports Personality of the Year nominee Ellie Kildunne earned MBE awards for their contributions.

The team faced one final challenge before their celebration. Their coach broke down on the way to Windsor, forcing them to cancel a private castle tour. But after conquering the world's best rugby teams, a little travel hiccup wasn't going to dim their spirits.

The Ripple Effect

This World Cup victory represents more than just another trophy. The record-breaking attendance at Twickenham shows how women's rugby is capturing hearts and filling stadiums. Young girls across England now have champions to look up to, and the sport's growing visibility is inspiring the next generation of athletes to pick up a rugby ball.

England's Red Roses proved that excellence and dedication create moments that unite a nation in celebration.