The British Royal Family have traditionally always avoided public involvement with the LGBT community, although there is a whole raft of stories about behind the scenes at the Palace with the late Queen Mother being surrounded by a whole bevy of gay footmen and servants. The arrival of the 25-year-old Princess Diana, however, changed all that especially when she through her unconditional support behind several charities dealing with people suffering from AIDS. it was her hands-on approached that did the most to help start de-stigmatizing the disease which in those very early days was confined mainly to the LGBT community.
Now her young adult sons Prince Harry and his brother Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, are continuing with her spirit and in the past few years have got more involved with LGBT causes and organizations. Yesterday Prince Harry, the Patron of England Rugby. met with players from one of the UK’s biggest gay rugby clubs.
In a private meeting in the Teams Changing Room (!) some members of Manchester Village Spartans Prince Harry met Harry and Gareth etc. “To be able to chat with HRH Prince Harry about our history as one of the world’s first gay and inclusive rugby clubs; the huge growth in International Gay Rugby that we passionately support and how positive an impact inclusive rugby can have on the mental and physical health of players from within our gay community was a truly valued and unique opportunity. It was so motivating to be part of a gay rugby team chatting to such an important member of the British Royal Family and being encouraged to help other LGBT and straight members of our communities give rugby a try.”
It was all part of ‘Try For Change’ campaign, funded by England Rugby andSports Relief. which seeks to use the power of rugby union to improve the lives of disadvantaged or marginalized people in England and across the world. After the meeting, the Spartans followed the Royal entourage down the player’s tunnel at Twickenham and were able to watch the England International squad’s open training session, sat just behind the Prince.
