Former Wales captain and legendary commentator Eddie Butler was part of The Queen’s funeral coverage via a pre-recorded message before his own tragic death in Peru last week
Eddie could be heard to say during the BBC’s coverage: “The Abbey and the Queen. A place and a monarch with a lifelong bond. A special connection born of the Abbey being a royal peculiar. That is, under the directed jurisdiction of the sovereign.
“But more of affection than jurisdiction. From her earliest days the Queen was among family here. It was here that she married Prince Phillip. The royal wedding a splash of colour to brighten up the grey days of post-war Britain.
“More royal weddings followed, for two of her children: Princess Anne and Prince Andrew. And for her grandson William, heir to the throne, just as she had been until her father’s death. Her coronation took place, of course, in her Abbey.
“The Abbey, soaring dramatic and yet intimate. A meeting place, a place to celebrate, give thanks, remember, to be sad. Westminster Abbey so often the stage for so much royal drama. A fitting place to say goodbye to our longest-reigning monarch.”
After rising to prominence with club side Pontypool, Butler played 16 times for Wales between 1980 and 1984, captaining the side on six occasions and scoring two tries.
The number eight was called up to the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 1983.
After retirement he became a respected rugby broadcaster.
Butler died in his sleep on a charity trek in Peru.
Social reaction:
Which rugby teams do the King, Prince Harry, and Prince William support?
The high-profile members of UK royalty have been linked with many rugby teams over the years, but which ones are they affiliated with?
King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry have all shown allegiance to various teams over the years.
RUCK takes you through each team the royal family members are thought to support.
#1. Mike Tindall (not strictly a royal, but married to one)
At that 2003 World Cup, won by England following Jonny Wilkinson’s unforgettable drop-goal, Harry introduced his cousin Zara Phillips to her future husband in a Sydney bar.
Over the course of his career, the outside centre was one of the great England players of modern times, winning 75 caps between 2000 and 2011.
Allegiance: England (Obviously)