IT'S a day spent with the Duke of Sussex that Jodie Cunningham will never forget.
The women's rugby league star from Warrington laughed and joked with 'Prince Harry' on the Buckingham Palace lawns before he led the way in making today's 2021 Rugby League World Cup draws.
Pictures: Yui Mok/PA Wire
For the Duke of Sussex, who is patron of the Rugby Football League, it was a first public engagement since he and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announced they are to 'step back' from senior roles in the royal family.
READ: The draws for Rugby League World Cup 2021
Jodie, an England international who started out in the sport while studying at Cardinal Newman High School, has been a full-time RLWC2021 ambassador for 12 months and worked with children from a London school to show the Duke their rugby league skills before the formal proceedings of the draw got underway.
Prince Harry makes first public appearance since revealing plan to step back from royal life. https://t.co/QhjUrH7oxn pic.twitter.com/HLgNL9Vdq5
— ABC News (@ABC) January 16, 2020
"Not quite sure I can put today into words. Literally pinching myself," she said on Twitter.
Not quite sure I can put today into words. Literally pinching myself! #RLWC2021Draw https://t.co/vlmbQkqUZb
— Jodie Cunningham (@Jodie_cunny) January 16, 2020
Jodie, a utility back, has been a mainstay of the women's national team since 2013.
She has represented her country in two world cups and will be hoping to make it a hat-trick when what is expected to be the biggest and most inclusive world cup yet takes place at major venues across England next year.
🏉 Children from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School and #RLWC2021 Ambassadors enjoy a game of tag rugby league in the garden of Buckingham Palace.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 16, 2020
The school competed in the London Youth Games which was supported by @RLWC2021 capital grants programme. pic.twitter.com/hita1cNFhh
Jodie has been a vice-captain of her country and was co-captain of St Helens in the Women's Super League last year.
Jodie Cunningham celebrates a win with St Helens during 2019. Picture: SWpix.com
The children from St Vincent de Paul Primary school we’re absolutely incredible today, polite, patient, well behaved and a very talented bunch of little Rugby League players! Hopefully future stars of the game in the making! #RLWC2021Draw https://t.co/fsPVZsynuv
— Jodie Cunningham (@Jodie_cunny) January 16, 2020
IN PICTURES: Jodie's RLWC2021 ambassador work over past 12 months
Pictures by SWpix.com
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