News regarding the Royal Families involvement with The Rugby World Cup was announced today.
Prince Harry pictured here in 2012 taking in some rugby in Rio.
It seems almost everyone will be involved in some capacity as #RugbyWorldCup kicks off in seven days. The event runs from 18 September through 31 October.
Prince Harry, who has returned from his time in Africa, will play a vital role in promoting the tournament
Harry is Honorary President of England 2015 and Vice-Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
Next week, Harry will ‘get the ball rolling’ when he attends the Rugby World Cup Official Welcome Party on 17 September. The party is hosted by the RFU at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The next day, 18 September will see The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join Harry at the opening ceremony and match at Twickenham. Harry will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony. The goal is to promote the participatory legacy for rugby at the grassroots level, particularly the chances of children and young people to experience the game.
Prince William will be on hand on 21 September for the Wales Team Welcome Ceremony at the Guildhall in London. William and Catherine will also attend a few matches. In 2007, William became Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union at the start of the 2007 RBS Six Nations Championship. Her Majesty is Patron.
Patron of the Scottish Rugby Union, The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence will also attend a few matches.
Other members of the Royal Family, including The Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Eugenie, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will attend some matches involving countries from the Commonwealth.
Prince Harry and England Rugby has issued a video message on Friday to highlight England Rugby’s All Schools programme. In the video, he stated: “I love top flight rugby, but I’m also a passionate supporter of how powerful the grassroots game is in helping to improve people’s lives.”
Next month, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will host a reception for participating nations at Buckingham Palace in October. Her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Harry and The Princess Royal, will greet representatives from each of the 20 competing teams and those involved in the organisation of the World Cup.
Harry will visit an event in Exeter next month in support of the All School’s Programme. The Programme is the RFU’s primary legacy programme for the tournament urging more state secondary schools to engage in rugby.
Photo Credit: UK in Brazil via Flickr
