Not Ours This Time, Granny: The Queen Hosts Rugby Reception

Queen Elizabeth II hosted a reception for participants of the Rugby World Cup today at Buckingham Palace, and she and Prince Harry got to have an up-close look at the Webb Ellis trophy that will be presented to the team which wins the tournament.

Unfortunately for the royals, that won’t be England after they failed to progress from the pool stage.

Captains and coaches from the 20 teams competing in the tournament were invited to the Palace for the reception, which was also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne (who was in Belgium earlier in the day), Princess Alexandra of Kent and the Duke of Gloucester.

Prince Harry, the Honorary President of England Rugby 2015, delivered a speech during the reception, praising the efforts of the organising committee and the teams competing. “Each nation has played with a level of commitment that has made this such an exciting and unpredictable tournament, engaging new fans like never before. It has also grown into the largest tournament to date. We have seen capacity crowds and new Rugby World Cup attendance records,” the Prince said.

Though England is not in the quarter-finals, Scotland and Wales – which have the Princess Royal and the Duke of Cambridge as their rugby patrons, respectively – are still in the hunt to take home the trophy.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Patronage, Prince Harry of Wales, Princess Alexandra Lady Ogilvy, Sport, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Gloucester, The Princess Royal.