Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, spent her Saturday in Edinburgh cheering for Scotland during an exhilarating rugby match.
This time, the Princess wasn’t accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, a fellow rugby enthusiast. Instead, seated beside her was Colin Rigby, President of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Colin, a former rugby union player from Edinburgh, has held the prestigious role since 2022. He is frequently seen alongside Princess Anne at matches, reflecting their shared enthusiasm for the sport.
The Princess Royal looked elegant in a navy blue coat paired with a blue and green tartan scarf. Adding a touch of sentiment to her outfit, she wore a silver brooch adorned with four amethysts—a piece she often reserves for Scotland’s rugby games.
The day ended on a high note as Scotland triumphed with a 59–21 victory over Portugal.
Princess Anne has been the patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the sport. She rarely misses a game, a commitment she detailed during a 2023 appearance on her son-in-law Mike Tindall’s podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.
She recounted how her patronage began unexpectedly: “It was an accident. They asked me to open the East Stand at Murrayfield Stadium when it was built. I had about two weeks’ notice because someone else had let them down—I can’t recall who. At the time, my horse was lame, and I wasn’t competing that weekend, so I went. About a month later, they asked if I’d like to be their patron.”
Reflecting on her love for rugby, she added: “Rugby offers something unique. While team sports in general promote exercise and collaboration, rugby showcases a variety of talents within one team. Everyone has a role, and there’s a special kind of responsibility in looking out for one another. It’s about diverse skills coming together.”
