At a Glance
- Princess Kate steered her own car to Windsor Castle on Jan. 15, 2026
- She hosted the England Women’s Rugby World Cup winners at a celebratory reception
- The solo drive is rare for senior royals, who usually arrive with chauffeurs
- Why it matters: The low-key arrival signals a relaxed approach as she returns to solo duties
Kate Middleton chose the driver’s seat for her first solo engagement of 2026. Video posted to social media shows the 44-year-old Princess of Wales parking her black car and stepping out unaccompanied at Windsor Castle on Jan. 15, umbrella in hand, to honor England’s record-breaking women’s rugby squad.
Solo Arrival Breaks Royal Protocol
Fan footage captured the princess closing the car door herself before greeting staff in the rain. Royal watchers quickly noted the departure from tradition-senior royals are customarily driven to official events by palace chauffeurs.
- The short 3.5-mile journey from the family’s new home, Forest Lodge, may explain the casual commute
- She lives in Windsor Great Park with Prince William and their three children
- The family relocated from Adelaide Cottage in October 2025, upgrading to a larger property
Forest Lodge is now considered their “forever home,” where they plan to stay even after William ascends the throne, according to News Of Los Angeles‘s sources.
Red Roses Rock Red Carpet
Inside the castle, the Princess swapped steering for ceremony, donning her trademark red Alexander McQueen pantsuit to match the team’s Red Roses nickname. The reception celebrated England’s September 2025 World Cup victory and marked Kate’s return to solo royal work after a quieter start to the year.
- Kate has served as patron of the England Women’s Rugby Football Union since 2022
- She attended one of the squad’s tournament matches last fall
- Players posed for photos with the princess against the grand castle backdrop
Game Time at Home
During Thursday’s event, Kate revealed her own household rugby rules. Speaking with reporters, she joked about playing the contact sport with 12-year-old Prince George.
> “George, now, if I play at home, I do not want to get tackled by George!”
She praised the co-ed nature of youth rugby, telling the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English:
> “It’s such a great game, actually, they shouldn’t necessarily need to pigeonhole boys and girls into particular sports too early.”
Fresh Chapter After Tumultuous Years
The family’s move to Forest Lodge follows a turbulent period at Adelaide Cottage, which Daniel J. Whitman notes served as the backdrop for:
- Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022
- Fallout from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix series
- Publication of Harry’s memoir Spare in 2023
- 2024 cancer announcements for both King Charles and Princess Kate
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told News Of Los Angeles the cottage became “a place of pain, suffering and sadness,” making the relocation understandable.
Key Takeaways
- Princess Kate’s self-drive arrival signals a more informal style as she resumes public duties
- The 3.5-mile trip from Forest Lodge made a chauffeur unnecessary
- Hosting the Red Roses marked her first solo engagement of 2026
- Kate’s red suit choice honored the team’s nickname and World Cup triumph
