Royal 'Class Act': Anne's Surprise at Rugby Cheers

Princess Anne was lauded as a 'class act' following her gracious reaction to an unexpected standing ovation at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Princess Royal was attending Scotland's Six Nations rugby fixture against Italy on February 7.

As fans erupted into cheers, Anne appeared visibly surprised and a bit perplexed before smiling and acknowledging the crowd. Social media users widely praised her 'dignity and grace,' with many highlighting her down-to-earth nature and 'hardest working Royal' reputation.

Anne, a patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for nearly thirty years, has a long-standing commitment to the sport. She also supports grassroots development through her role with the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation. Her unexpected appearance at the rugby match, which Scotland unfortunately lost 18-15, added a notable moment to the tournament.

This appearance followed her attendance at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Anne, an accomplished equestrian and former Olympian, also serves on the International Olympic Committee and as President of the British Olympic Association. She previously shared on a podcast how her patronage of the SRU began unexpectedly.

Her humility was also evident during a recent Christmas Day walkabout at Sandringham, where she responded with characteristic wit and charm to a fan's gift of flowers, which were a favorite of her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.