To mark 2015’s Rugby World Cup, Queen Elizabeth, dressed in a delightful plum gown, hosted a gaggle of rugby players in the reception hall at Buckingham Palace.
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And the Wales coach and captain even had the chance to talk tactics with England fan Prince Harry, maybe persuading him to switch his allegiance to Wales – the team supported by his brother William.
At a welcoming party for the 20 competing nations at the start of the tournament, Harry gave a speech saying: “As a passionate rugby fan, I will share in the rollercoaster of emotions with millions of other fans around the world between now and October 31”.
Before the event, Owens, who is originally of Mynyddcerrig and now of Pontyberem, posted a picture on Twitter of him arriving.
According to Harry, this year’s tournament had been one of the most competitive and entertaining Rugby World Cups ever, “although only halfway through we witnessed a few truly memorable moments and one or two upsets”.
“This evening, we would like to thank you for making England 2015 a successful and enjoyable tournament for everybody”, the prince said.
The Webb Ellis trophy sat pride of place in the ballroom. A showcase for rugby, which – I truly believe – will help grow the game through its excitement and increasing fan base’.
The Queen was presented with a specially commissioned participation medal by Bernard Lapasset, chairman of world rugby, and William “Bill” Beaumont, former England captain.
Prince Harry with Welsh players Gethin Jenkins, centre, and Alun-Wyn Jones.
Ms Catto said: “She said “I hope they will be able to come down soon” – she thought they might be a bit bored and asked a man to see if they could come down off the stage so they wouldn’t miss out”.
The player, whose face was covered in cuts and bruises from his country’s most recent clash at the weekend, said: ‘It’s a real honour to be here tonight’.
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It appears Richie McCaw is in royal favour – now that England are no longer around for the All Blacks to knock out of the Rugby World Cup. We have seen capacity crowds and new Rugby World Cup attendance records. “We’ve got a very good spirit amongst the lads although we’re all bitterly disappointed”, he said. “Just because they are not in it – it’s times like these we need more support”.
