The Princess of Wales will cheer on England when she attends their Rugby League World Cup quarter-final match against Papua New Guinea.

Kate will attend the crunch game on Saturday in Wigan, her first match since succeeding the Duke of Sussex as patron of the Rugby Football League (RFL).

Harry launched the draw for the World Cup in January 2020, just over a week after announcing he wanted to step down with wife Meghan as a working royal for personal and financial freedom.

There was an expectation he would attend the tournament hosted by England, but it was postponed for a year after Australia and New Zealand refused to take part, citing safety fears on the back of the pandemic.

Simon Johnson, chair of the RFL, said: “We will be delighted and honoured to welcome the Princess of Wales for the first time as the RFL’s Royal Patron.

“With both our England Women and Men’s teams playing important World Cup matches on Saturday, her presence will enhance a special occasion for our sport, for the World Cup and for the famous rugby league town of Wigan.”

The tournament has showcased the sport of rugby league with the women’s and wheelchair World Cups taking place alongside the men’s championship for the first time.

Before the start of the quarter-final, the princess will meet the England and Papua New Guinea teams on the pitch and also observe a minute of non-silence, held to mark the tournament’s Movember Mental Fitness Match Day, a gesture to combat the damaging impact that silence can have upon men’s mental wellbeing.

Ahead of the game, Kate will speak with representatives from groups who have played an integral part in the delivery of the RLWC2021 Social Impact Programme.

Launched in June 2018, the initiative aims to provide a positive impact to local communities, primarily focusing on the tournament’s host towns and cities.

Over the past four years, more than £25 million of investment has been delivered through the programme to tackle inequalities, increase opportunities for people from all backgrounds to access rugby league and promote positive mental health.

During the half-time break, the princess will also meet the England women’s team who earlier that day will have played Canada in a group match.