Rugby World Cup 2015: Rugby royalty meet the Queen

Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Harry view the Webb Ellis Trophy at a Rugby World Cup reception at Buckingham Palace on October 12, 2015.

‘When we were at Twickenham I was sitting in the crowd for a few on the games I the camera panned over to (William and Harry) and I think the look that Harry gave William when he was cheering for Wales says it all.

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.

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.

Prince Harry – an ardent England rugby supporter, and vice patron of the RFU and honorary president of England 2015 – made a speech to the invited guests at Buckingham Palace saying it was great rugby could bring everyone together.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and her grandson Prince Harry welcomed the stars of the Rugby World Cup to a reception at Buckingham Palace on Monday.

At the event Prince Harry gave a speech welcoming around 400 players, coaches, referees and volunteers, stating it was a privilege to see the tournament being enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people.

She chatted animatedly with the 20 team captains and their head coaches and famous faces, including former England and Lions captain Bill Beaumont.

“I believe that this World Cup – more than any before – has the potential to grow the game, both at home and overseas, by inspiring children of all backgrounds, and encouraging men and women of all ages and abilities, to embrace rugby”.

Sue said: “The reception was held in the investiture room and I was at the back of the room so I didn’t see the Queen because she is little and so am I”.

“She said it was lovely that people from all around the country were being represented here tonight”.

“We have two or three weeks to deliver the best World Cup ever”. “We’ve got a very good spirit amongst the lads although we’re all bitterly disappointed”, he said.

“They were absolutely blown away but I think these days we take it a bit more in our stride”.