Where the royals tend to go, cameras typically follow; even at a sporting game, as was the case for Princess Anne in Rome over the weekend. The Princess Royal was spotted abroad at the Guinness Six Nations 2026 showdown between Italy and Scotland – and she had the most ‘humble’ response to the crowd’s elated reaction when they saw her on the big screen.
The royal, who has been the Scottish Rugby Union patron for 40 years, stopped by the Olympic Stadium on 7 February to catch the rugby match, which ended in an 18-15 win for Italy. When she appeared on the Jumbotron, the thousands of sports fans erupted in cheers, with some reports saying she received a standing ovation. Anne seemed unaware until the person sitting beside her looked to point out the cheers were for her on the screen.
The Princess Royal laughed and shared a smile from her seat as the crowd kept up the applause. Anne was rugged up for the match, which was hit by heavy rain, in a navy coat and scarf wrapped around her neck for extra warmth.
Fans praise Anne’s ‘genuinely humble’ response
Footage of the moment caught the attention of fans of social media, who praised the royal’s modest reaction.
“This is why she’s respected so much, she’s genuinely humble. She always seems surprised that people cheer her or give her flowers,” one person replied to the video shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Another said: “Love how she had no idea the cheers were for her so genuine and unbothered royal or not that’s a sweet human moment,” while someone else said they “love her incredulous smile and laugh when she found out. Such a humble woman.”
One royal fan remarked that she “looks and gives off the same energy as her mother”, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Anne’s rugby connection
© Getty ImagesAnne has held the position of Scottish Rugby Union patron since 1986. While her son-in-law Mike Tindall used to play rugby union for England, Anne has long been an ardent Scotland supporter and often goes to home games and even travels abroad to cheer on the team.
“As a family, they’re very sport-loving,” Mike said of his wife Zara Tindall’s family in an interview with A Round with Radar.
“With Princess Anne being the patron of Scottish rugby now as well and the Prince and Princess of Wales being England patrons and Wales respectively, I was very fortunate that they knew a lot about rugby and had that sports side to it.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales are also both affiliated with rugby: Kate is the patron for England while William has been the Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016, succeeding his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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