Photo: The Royal Household
The Prince and Princess welcome Sinfield on the rugby pitch
Prince William and Princess Catherine visited Headingley Stadium in Leeds and met families affected by motor neurone disease. They then followed Sir Kevin Sinfield to Wakefield, where the third day of his ultramarathon run ended.
Prince William and Princess Catherine visited Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Tuesday, the home ground of the rugby league club Leeds Rhinos. There they heard about the work Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield have done to draw attention to motor neurone disease.
The Prince and Princess on the pitch at Headingley Stadium in Leeds. Photo: The Royal Household
Motor neurone disease, MND, is an umbrella term for conditions that break down the nerve cells controlling the muscles. ALS is the most common form.
• Meeting families living with the disease
Before coming out onto the pitch, the Prince and Princess met families who live with the disease close at hand.
The Princess in conversation with one of the families affected by the disease. Photo: The Royal Household
Princess Catherine with one of the youngest guests. Photo: The Royal Household
• Welcoming Sinfield
Sir Kevin Sinfield is in the middle of his seventh and final fundraising run, called 7 in 7: The Grand Finale. Over seven days he runs an ultramarathon every day, taking in all twelve English Super League grounds.
The Prince and Princess met Sir Kevin Sinfield as he finished for the day. Photo: The Royal Household
The couple followed him on to Wakefield, where the third day's stage ended at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, home of Wakefield Trinity. Among those waiting to greet him were Rob Burrow's three children, Macy, Maya and Jackson.
The Prince and Princess applauded Sinfield in at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield. Photo: The Royal Household
The Prince and Princess with three of the young guests. Photo: The Royal Household
• Given his honour by William in 2024
Rob Burrow was diagnosed in 2019, two years after retiring as a player for Leeds Rhinos. He spent the years that followed campaigning for more money for treatment and research, and died in June 2024 at the age of 41.
Prince William met him at Headingley in 2024, when the Prince surprised him with his CBE for that work.
The day before the visit to Leeds, Princess Anne met Sinfield at the University of York athletics track, on the second day of the same run.