The nail biting finish to this year’s Six Nations was played out with a royal audience cheering all the way – but the happy ending went to Paris.
The final day of rugby’s biggest annual tournament saw Ireland, France and England all playing to claim the title with Scotland lined up for a crucial deciding role. But despite a future king and queen and a very famous princess cheering from the sidelines, no home team secured the success they sought.
The Prince and Princess of Wales headed to Cardiff where Wales were hosting England in a crucial game.
Prince William is the President of the Welsh RFU and had the easiest day as his team had no hope of winning the Six Nations and had already guaranteed themselves the wooden spoon after a poor tournament. Instead, he was there to chat and console after a run that had never really got going.
The Princess of Wales is patron of England Rugby and had a far more exciting day in prospect as her team were in with a strong shout of claiming in the SIx Nations, especially after Ireland scraped a slim win over Italy in the first of the crucial matches to be played out as the Six Nations ended.
Catherine cheered throughout the match as England showed no mercy and thrashed Wales 68-14 to put themselves in prime position for the title.
However, France had other ideas. They had to beat Scotland in the final match of the tournament – far from a done deal. And the Scots had their patron, Princess Anne, in the seats at the Stade de France for the big game.
Long known for her devotion to rugby and Scotland, the Princess Royal wore her colours literally on her heart as she knotted a blue and green tartan scarf across her chest for the game. It wasn’t a lucky talisman – Scotland lost 35-16, ensuring that the Six Nations was won by France.
The Royal Family has a long and strong affiliation with rugby and it looks set to continue. As they met players and coaching staff at the Wales/ England match, the Prince and Princess of Wales revealed their three children love the game and Prince Louis, 6, is now taking on touch rugby. Royal rivalries around this sport are guaranteed into the future.
