Prince Philip has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace announced today.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years and described as her constant strength, passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle this morning.
Down the years, it’s not often popular referee Nigel Owens is outdone when it comes to witty one-liners but the rugby referee met his match over lunch with Philip in 2017.
Owens, who was honoured for his services to sport with an MBE the year prior, was attending a lunch at Buckingham Palace with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The 2015 World Cup referee took to Twitter after his trip to the palace to share his tale.
He wrote on Twitter: “Honoured to have lunch at Palace yesterday with her Majesty. Prince Philip asked me “When are u going to sort out the scrum feeds” Brilliant”
World Cup-winner and England Legend Neil Back responded to Owens, insisting it was a fair question.
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LIST | Rugby players who reportedly dated royalty
One player is actually now 13th heir to the throne!
1. MIKE TINDALL – ZARA TINDALL
The World Cup winner is the husband of royal stock Zara Tindall. The couple met during in Australia in 2003, when he was participating in England’s Rugby World Cup campaign. They were introduced to each other by Zara’s cousin Prince Harry, reportedly meeting for the first time in the Manly Wharf bar in Sydney. In an interview with Australian television programme, 60 Minutes, Zara said the Yorkshire-born rugby star was drowning his sorrows after being dropped from the England squad before the semi-finals.
Mike and Zara had their first child, a daughter, Mia Grace Tindall, in January 2014. The couple announced they were expecting again in 2016 – but Zara tragically suffered a miscarriage. In January 2018, Zara confirmed she was expecting again, and in June her second daughter Lena was born.