KEVIN SINFIELD LEFT EMOTIONAL AS PRINCE WILLIAM AND CATHERINE MAKE SURPRISE APPEARANCE — ‘TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY IS INCREDIBLE’
Sir Kevin Sinfield was left visibly emotional when Prince William and Princess Catherine unexpectedly turned up to support him during the final 7-in-7 challenge in memory of his late friend Rob Burrow.
Having just completed another gruelling 27.9-mile (45km) ultramarathon in Wakefield, the rugby league legend had no idea the Prince and Princess of Wales were waiting nearby.
Then, after finishing his final laps at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, Sinfield walked over — and was met by two familiar faces who had followed his extraordinary fundraising journey for years.
“Well done you,” Catherine told him.
“What you are doing is so inspiring.”
William added: “It’s been very special to watch.”
For Sinfield, the surprise carried particular weight.
‘TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY IS INCREDIBLE’
Sinfield had already described Tuesday as the hardest day of the challenge.
Hobbling slightly after completing another 45km, he admitted he had spent much of the day dreaming about an ice bath.
William offered a simple warning: “Make sure you hold yourself together for another few days.”
But the moment quickly became emotional.
During an impromptu three-minute speech, Sinfield fought back tears as he thanked the crowds, his team and everyone who had supported his campaign.
He then turned to William and Catherine.
“Prince William and Princess Catherine have been such big supporters of what we have tried to do, such big supporters of Rob,” he said.
“To have you here today is incredible and brings real credibility and awareness to the MND community.”
A SURPRISE SINFIELD NEVER SAW COMING
The royal appearance had been deliberately kept secret.
William and Catherine had travelled to Leeds to pay tribute to Rob Burrow at his former rugby club, AMT Headingley, before making their way to support Sinfield.
Earlier in the day, William had even revealed the surprise to pupils during a visit, telling them:
“You know Kevin’s doing his big run today as well? We’re going to surprise him in a bit.”
Catherine added that Sinfield was “super fit” for taking on seven ultramarathons in seven days.
William, however, had a rather more painful prediction.
“If he can walk by the end of it, it’s going to be amazing. His poor knees.”
‘DON’T HANG AROUND FOR US’
After the emotional reunion, William and Catherine spent time speaking with Sinfield’s team and supporters, including Rob Burrow’s three children, Macy, Maya and Jackson, and his mother Irene.
William later patted Sinfield on the shoulder and urged him to stop worrying about the royal visit.
“Don’t hang around for us, go and relax, go and sit down, go and have a shower… well done, honestly, you’re amazing.”
When Sinfield appeared to ask William to join him, the Prince responded with a joke:
“I can’t hear you Kev, there’s something in my ear.”
William then hinted that the pair could meet again soon, telling Sinfield he “might see you next week” when the runner is due to receive his investiture at Windsor Castle.
A TRIBUTE TO ROB BURROW
The surprise appearance came during the seventh and final charity challenge Sinfield has undertaken since launching his first annual fundraising run in 2020.
His efforts have raised more than £11 million for the motor neurone disease community, inspired by his friendship with Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND and died in 2024.
Burrow wore the number seven shirt throughout his rugby career — a detail reflected in Sinfield’s decision to complete seven ultramarathons in seven days for his final challenge.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have long supported the pair’s work.
William previously visited AMT Headingley in January 2024, when he surprised Burrow and Sinfield with their CBEs for their fundraising efforts.
A year later, he returned to officially open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.
During Tuesday’s visit, William and Catherine also met former players from Burrow’s celebrated generation, heard memories of the former scrum-half and campaigner, and learned about the foundation’s work across mental health, physical health, school PE programmes and disability rugby.
They also watched a women’s Under-19 training session and met players preparing for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
‘IT’S BEEN VERY SPECIAL TO WATCH’
The royal couple’s visit came one day after Princess Anne had also gone to support Sinfield during his challenge in York.
For seven days, Sinfield has been pushing his body through 27.9 miles of running each day, carrying the memory of his friend with him every step of the way.
But as he reached another finish line on Tuesday, it was the unexpected appearance of William and Catherine — and the words they had quietly brought with them — that left him reflecting on just how much Burrow’s legacy continues to mean.
For Sinfield, their presence was more than a royal visit.
It was another reminder that Rob Burrow’s story, and the fight against MND, continues to reach far beyond the rugby league world.