Prince William took the helm at an Investiture at Windsor Castle on Thursday and was given the chance to bestow a knighthood on Welsh rugby legend, Sir Gareth Edwards.
Embed from Getty ImagesSir Gareth was named in the 2015 Queens Birthday Honours list. It seemed The Duke of Cambridge was more concerned about the upcoming Rugby World Cup, asking Gareth Edwards for “words of encouragement” about the state of the Wales rugby team, ahead of their upcoming campaign.
The former Wales captain, who in 2003 was named rugby-unions greatest ever player, spoke of his time with Prince William at Windsor Castle. “Prince William wanted to have a little chat about rugby and obviously, being patron of the Welsh team, he was concerned about our injuries. I told him we did have some good players to take the place of those injured- Liam Williams is just about to come back this weekend for example, I think he was after some words of encouragement for Wales, to be honest.”
Gareth Edwards, a former scrum-half, enjoyed a career at Wales that spanned 11 years as well as playing for the British and Irish Lions and invitational side, the Barbarians. Sir Gareth is also remembered for scoring what is arguably the greatest try of all time when he touched down for the Barbarians against the All Backs in Cardiff in 1973.
Mr Edwards continued, “The Duke told me my knighthood was ‘very well deserved’ although, of course, he has more than a passing interest in rugby. All I could think about was all the people who have made it possible because my involvement would have been the very least part of it really.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as Prince Harry will attend the opening match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup on Friday at Twickenham where host nation England will take on Fiji.
Gareth Edwards concluded, “Unfortunately my mother passed away 18 months ago, and I cant help but think she and my father would be so proud that a boy from a mining village would be here today receiving this. They sacrificed a great deal at a time when I had a chance.”
The 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday 18th September and runs until the 31st October.
Photo Credit: “Príncipe Guilherme, Duque de Cambridge” by Tom Soper Photography – https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsoperphotography/7984282801/. Licenced under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
