With an invitation to Arsenal for tea at Buckingham: Queen Elizabeth II’s close ties to the world of sport

The monarch befriended West Ham, but later became a Gunners fan. She participated in the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in the 1950s, in addition to being the godmother of the Rugby Football Union of England and the All England Club, organizer of Wimbledon. Of course, his great passion was equestrian sports.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has left a deep void in the British . The monarch not only enjoyed great sympathy from her subjects, but also actively participated in the activities that the islanders are most passionate about: sports.

And among the disciplines closest to his reign, football could not be foreign to him. His first ceremonial approach to the sport of the ball dates back to 1953, when he presented the FA Cup trophy to blackpool, who won the final against Bolton Wanderers.

“Football is a tough business and footballers are prima donnas (stars). But it’s a wonderful game.” , the monarch once said a sentence that shows his knowledge and interest in this sport.

Since, his appearance at Wembley became more frequent. Even at the most important time in English football, when the team won its only World Cup, in 1966.

Bobby Moore, captain of the Three Lions, received the trophy from Queen Elizabeth II herself. A moment that the legendary player has always remembered with grace. “I looked at my hands…and they were dirty!” commented Moore, who hastily cleaned himself so as not to stain the monarch’s immaculate white gloves.

Between West Ham and Arsenal

In reality, the monarch has never expressly expressed her fondness for one or the other football team, to try to remain neutral towards the game. However, some members of his staff confided in the 1960s of his particular sympathy for West Ham United, after commentating with her on a match at the so-called Soccer Academy.

However, the trait that represented her the most wasat the invitation he made to the Arsenal team for tea at Buckingham Palace, the only football club to have this privilege.

It was in 2007, after winning the FA Cup, that the French coach Arsène Wenger and all Gunners stars passed all protocols and reached the monarch’s residence.

A relaxed conversation with all footballers. Even the Spaniards Cesc Fabregas a London team figure at the time, said “the Queen is a big fan of Arsenal”. An admiration that arose when the team were the undefeated champions of the 2003-’04 season, the so-called “Invincibles”.

Always close to the activity

But football was not the only sport to fill the monarch’s agenda. In 1950, she was a luxury spectator at the first Formula 1 Grand Prix. The same held at Silverstone airport in the United Kingdom, which was converted into a racing circuit and brought together more than 200,000 people.

Also, it was patron saint of the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, bodies that regulate the sport in England and Wales, respectively. She is also patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, host of the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

However, his favorite activity has always been equestrian sports. Isabel II acquired thoroughbred horses with which she even won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. The same goes for the British classics, such as the Epson Derby, the Oaks or the St. Leger.

Jock

Source: Latercera

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