Princess Anne mistakes England rugby player Joe Heyes for Joe Marler before Scotland match

England rugby player Joe Heyes was mistaken for Joe Marler by Princess Anne. This happened before the Six Nations match against Scotland.
By Newsroom | Sports, Royal Family |

Before England's Six Nations match against Scotland, Princess Anne met the team. During this event, Joe Heyes, an England tighthead prop, was mistakenly identified by Princess Anne as Joe Marler, a former teammate. This incident, though described as "upsetting" by Heyes, led him to remain silent rather than correct the royal.

'Princess Anne mistook me for someone else – it was upsetting but I didn't correct her' - 1

The Interaction and Its Aftermath

The encounter occurred as Princess Anne greeted the England rugby squad prior to the Calcutta Cup match against Scotland. Reports indicate that Princess Anne, upon speaking with Joe Heyes, remarked, "You're awfully funny on TV!" This comment suggests she believed she was addressing Joe Marler, who had recently gained significant public attention for his participation in the BBC's reality game show, "The Celebrity Traitors," where he reached the final.

'Princess Anne mistook me for someone else – it was upsetting but I didn't correct her' - 2

  • Heyes's Reaction: Joe Heyes has stated that the misidentification was "upsetting."

  • Decision Not to Correct: Despite his feelings, Heyes chose not to correct Princess Anne. He explained that he "didn't really know what to say" and was perhaps hesitant to correct royalty.

  • Marler's Popularity: Joe Marler's recent prominence on "The Celebrity Traitors" is frequently cited as a likely reason for the mix-up. The show reportedly drew a large audience, with 14.9 million viewers tuning in for episodes featuring Marler.

Key Figures Involved

  • Princess Anne: A member of the British royal family, known to be patron of various sporting organizations.

  • Joe Heyes: A current England tighthead prop, described as a key player in the squad with "a lot of energy."

  • Joe Marler: A retired former international teammate of Heyes, who has since developed a public profile through media appearances, notably "The Celebrity Traitors."

Broader Context

The incident occurred in the lead-up to a significant Six Nations fixture. England was preparing to play Scotland, and the team was looking to improve its standing in the tournament. This event adds a minor, personal detail to the larger narrative of the rugby championship. The reports also mention other details about the team, such as captain Maro Itoje preparing for his 100th cap.

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'Princess Anne mistook me for someone else – it was upsetting but I didn't correct her' - 3

Evidence of the Misidentification

Multiple news outlets have reported on this event, citing Joe Heyes as the source of the information.

'Princess Anne mistook me for someone else – it was upsetting but I didn't correct her' - 4

  • Heyes's Account: He stated directly that Princess Anne thought he was Joe Marler and commented on his TV appearances.

  • Princess Anne's Comment: The specific phrase, "You're awfully funny on TV!", has been consistently reported across different articles.

  • Marler's Media Role: The connection to "The Celebrity Traitors" is a recurring element, providing a plausible explanation for the mistaken identity.

Unanswered Questions

  • What were the specific circumstances of the greeting that might have contributed to the misidentification?

  • Was there any visible reaction from Princess Anne upon realizing the mistake, or did the interaction conclude without her being aware?

Conclusion

The interaction between Joe Heyes and Princess Anne before the Six Nations match against Scotland has been highlighted due to a case of mistaken identity. Princess Anne reportedly mistook Heyes for his former teammate Joe Marler, likely due to Marler's recent television appearances. While the incident caused Heyes some distress, he opted not to correct the Princess. This event provides a brief, humanizing moment within the context of professional sports and royal engagements.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Princess Anne mistake Joe Heyes for Joe Marler?
Princess Anne met the England rugby team before their match against Scotland. She spoke to Joe Heyes but thought he was Joe Marler, likely because Marler was popular on the TV show 'The Celebrity Traitors'.
Q: What did Princess Anne say to Joe Heyes?
Princess Anne told Joe Heyes, "You're awfully funny on TV!" This comment suggests she believed she was talking to Joe Marler, who had recently been on a popular reality TV show.
Q: How did Joe Heyes feel about being mistaken for Joe Marler?
Joe Heyes said that the mistake was 'upsetting' for him. He did not correct Princess Anne because he did not know what to say.
Q: What is Joe Marler known for recently?
Joe Marler, a former teammate of Joe Heyes, recently appeared on the BBC show 'The Celebrity Traitors' and reached the final. This TV appearance is thought to be the reason for Princess Anne's mistaken identity.
Q: When did this mistaken identity happen?
The incident happened before England's Six Nations match against Scotland. Princess Anne was meeting the team before the game.