The Duchess of Cambridge is to become a regular visitor to the area as the new patron of England's Rugby Football Union.

Kate headed to Twickenham Stadium today - Wednesday - to meet players from the men's and women's squads as they prepare for the Six Nations championships.

The Duchess will also be in the stands at Twickenham for England's home games after taking over as Royal patron from Prince Harry.

She becomes the figurehead for both the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League.

Writing on social media, the duchess said: "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!"

The RFU has issued a video on social media featuring Kate throwing a rugby pass to a series of players, including many famous names.

In the video passing chain, Kate throws the ball which lands in the hands of Thea Northcott, a rugby union community game player, who passes it on to Harry Newman from the England rugby league men's team.

The footage also features Jodie Cunningham from the England rugby league women's team, Maro Itoje from the England rugby union men's team, James Simpson from the England rugby league wheelchair men's team, and Poppy Cleall from the England rugby union women's team.

The Duchess of Cambridge will now be one of the public faces of the Rugby Football Union, which acts as the governing body for grassroots and elite rugby union in England, with 1,900 member clubs.

RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, said: "As rugby clubs have re-opened 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."

A video to mark the occasion can be found here