In a rare move, the Princess of Wales drove herself to Windsor Castle for her latest royal outing

Kate Middleton made a rare arrival behind the wheel at her latest royal engagement.

On Jan. 15, the Princess of Wales — who is patron of England’s women’s rugby team — hosted a reception at Windsor Castle celebrating the squad’s World Cup victory in September 2025 and drove herself to the event.

Fan footage shared on X showed Kate, 44, stepping out of a black car from the driver’s side — which is on the right in the U.K. She closed the door behind her, accepted an umbrella from a waiting aide and walked into the castle with them on the rainy afternoon.

Kate’s solo arrival stood out, as senior royals are typically taken to official engagements by drivers. There may have been a simple explanation, however: she lives nearby.

Catherine, Princess of Wales smiles as she meets members of the England Women's rugby team at Windsor Castle on January 15, 2026 in Windsor, United Kingdom

Kin Cheung – WPA Pool/Getty

The Princess of Wales and her family reside about 3.5 miles from Windsor Castle at Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. Kate, Prince William and their children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — moved there in October 2025 from Adelaide Cottage, upgrading to a larger home.

Catherine, Princess of Wales meets members of the England Women's rugby team at Windsor Castle on January 15, 2026 in Windsor, United Kingdom.

Kate Middleton meets members of England’s Women’s Rugby team at Windsor Castle on Jan. 15, 2026.Kin Cheung – WPA Pool/Getty

Adelaide Cottage had been the backdrop to several difficult years for the family, including the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, the turbulence surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix docuseries and Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, and the 2024 announcements that King Charles and Kate had both been diagnosed with cancer. (The King continues treatment, while the Princess of Wales is in remission.)

“Adelaide Cottage was a place of pain, suffering and sadness. After such rough times it’s perfectly understandable they would want a new place,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith recently told PEOPLE.

PEOPLE understands that Forest Lodge is the family’s forever home and where they intend to remain even after William becomes king one day.

Forest Lodge, formerly known as Holly Grove, Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, 2018. Artist Historic England Staff Photographer

Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park.English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty

Princess Kate’s reception for the England Women’s Rugby team on Thursday marked her first solo royal duty of 2026.

The team known as the Red Roses and patron Kate wore her red Alexander McQueen pantsuit to the festive event, interpreted as a tribute to the nickname.

Catherine, Princess of Wales poses with members of the England Women's rugby team at Windsor Castle on January 15, 2026 in Windsor, United Kingdom.

Kate Middleton (center) poses with members of England’s Women’s Rugby team at Windsor Castle on Jan. 15, 2026.Kin Cheung – WPA Pool/Getty

The Princess of Wales attended one of the Red Roses’ September matches during their World Cup quest and told the team about how didn’t want to get tackled by her son George when they play rugby at home!

“It’s such a great game, actually, they shouldn’t necessarily need to pigeonhole boys and girls into particular sports too early,” Princess Kate said about how the contact sport can be co-ed for children, Rebecca English of the Daily Mail reported.

“Obviously, as they get physically stronger… George, now, if I play at home, I do not want to get tackled by George! But no, up to a certain age it’s great,” she said.