Prince Harry was reportedly fighting back tears after discovering reports he was booed at the Premiership Rugby clash between Gloucester and Leicester Tigers on Friday. Audible jeers were heard throughout the Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium when the Duke was shown on the big screen, as he sat next to his cousin George McCorquodale.
Source claims Harry was 'absolutely crushed'
Some rugby fans believe the boos were aimed at the referee, but sources claimed that Harry was devastated when he learned about the reaction. “Harry didn’t hear the boos. He was enjoying the match and genuinely believed everyone was happy to see him,” a source told Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice. “It wasn’t until afterward, that the reality hit. He was absolutely crushed.”
While Harry can handle criticism from the palace, he "cannot handle feeling rejected by his own country," the source claimed. “He was fighting back tears. Britain is still home to him.”
Fans defend the duke
Disappointed fans said the boos were not in the spirit of rugby, writing that he was "just a young man enjoying his life". Some were keen to see him in the stands, adding: "Well, I cheered when he was on screen. Fought for our country".
Online supporters of the Sussexes insisted the booing came from Gloucester fans who were unhappy at referee Karl Dickson for awarding the home side a scrum. One person wrote: “That's a lie," they added “They were booing [the] referee's decision and then the camera cut to Harry.”
Friend disputes the booing narrative
A friend of the duke reportedly told the Mail on Sunday: “It's been presented as the crowd booing him and that's what the press have decided. Doesn't matter that they were actually booing the ref's call to award the scrum to Leicester following an alleged knock-on from Gloucester.”
Prince Harry watched the match with Leicester Tigers' chief executive. The Prince has returned to the UK after a stint in the US with his wife, Meghan Markle, and two children, Archie and Lilibet. The Sussexes left the UK and ended their royal duties in 2020, citing concerns about media intrusion and frustration that Buckingham Palace prevented them from developing their "SussexRoyal" brand. Prince Harry is a known rugby enthusiast, having formerly served as patron of the Rugby Football Union before stepping down.
