Kate Middleton Earns the Sweetest Nickname For Playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with Young Fans
Prince William and Kate Middleton have been out and about, and this time, it was a rain-soaked welcome in Wales that awaited them. Middleton braved the heavy downpour, living up to her reputation as the 'Children’s Princess,' a nickname earned for her easy, natural warmth around young people.
During a February 26 visit to Powys, with William, 44, Middleton paused mid-walkabout when two young boys challenged her to a quick round of rock, paper, scissors. The rain didn’t interrupt the exchange; if anything, it seemed to add to the charm of the moment. Middleton was seen jumping right in, laughing as she played along. “Let’s do it again. Rock, paper, scissors, shoot. Aw!” she said, as the first boy’s 'paper' beat the 'rock' she had made with her hand. She took the loss in stride, smiling as the children reacted. She then turned to the second boy, agreeing to three quick rounds. In the end, his 'rock' triumphed over her 'scissors.' Middleton appeared to congratulate him, clearly enjoying the exchange before moving further along the crowd. Spotting a little girl proudly holding a drawing of the Welsh flag, she waved warmly and said, “Nice to meet you.”
It is this easy camaraderie that the Princess is often praised for. At home, she and William are raising three children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — and that familiarity with young energy frequently carries over into her public appearances.
They stopped to greet those gathered outside in the pouring rain on the way to their next engagement.
— Emily Ferguson (@emilyinpalace) February 26, 2026
Catherine plays rock, paper, scissors with some of the schoolchildren, and both she and William appear unfazed by the downpour. ☔️ pic.twitter.com/RctG0r73qF
The rainy game was only one part of a day filled with lighthearted interactions. In another clip from the outing, Middleton greeted a group of young girls waving Welsh flags, offering three big hugs and several handshakes as some of them bounced excitedly. Later, at the Oriel Davies art gallery in Newtown, she accepted a handmade necklace from a young girl and graciously allowed the child to help fasten it around her neck.
The visit to Powys came ahead of St. David’s Day on March 1. Known for having the highest number of volunteers per capita in the UK, the county was chosen to highlight community spirit. In a nod to the upcoming national holiday, both William and Middleton wore daffodil pins — the daffodil being Wales’ national flower, traditionally worn alongside leeks as a symbol of pride.
Wales holds personal significance for the couple. They lived there as newlyweds and in the early months after Prince George’s birth. After Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, King Charles formally named them the Prince and Princess of Wales, granting William the historic title traditionally reserved for the heir to the throne.