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Queen learns of childhood 'scrum' | Queen learns of childhood 'scrum' |
(1 day later) | |
An exuberant Australian rugby player tossed the Queen into the air when she was a child, sparking "mild panic" among those watching, it has emerged. | |
The player apparently had a long lunch before a function where Princess Elizabeth, then just a toddler, encountered him and was sent flying. | The player apparently had a long lunch before a function where Princess Elizabeth, then just a toddler, encountered him and was sent flying. |
The story was relayed to the Queen 80 years on as she hosted the current Australian rugby union tour squad. | The story was relayed to the Queen 80 years on as she hosted the current Australian rugby union tour squad. |
The squad was invited to Windsor Castle ahead of Saturday's match with England. | |
This year is the Wallabies' centenary tour, marking 100 years since the team first visited the UK in 1908, scooping a gold in the London Olympics. | This year is the Wallabies' centenary tour, marking 100 years since the team first visited the UK in 1908, scooping a gold in the London Olympics. |
'Memory blank' | 'Memory blank' |
It was John O'Neill, managing director and chief executive officer of Australian Rugby Union, who reminded the Queen of her 1928 childhood meeting with the player. | It was John O'Neill, managing director and chief executive officer of Australian Rugby Union, who reminded the Queen of her 1928 childhood meeting with the player. |
"She had never heard the story," he said. "She was quick to point out that she would have been about 18 months old. | "She had never heard the story," he said. "She was quick to point out that she would have been about 18 months old. |
"She said she had no recollection of being thrown in the air. I responded that I wouldn't blame her for blocking it out of the memory bank." | "She said she had no recollection of being thrown in the air. I responded that I wouldn't blame her for blocking it out of the memory bank." |
Unknown to anyone else, the player had enjoyed a long lunch before the encounter with the young royal. | Unknown to anyone else, the player had enjoyed a long lunch before the encounter with the young royal. |
'Safe hands' | 'Safe hands' |
When the princess's governess swept in, the manager of the Australian squad helpfully reassured her that his player had the safest hands in the team and never dropped a ball. | When the princess's governess swept in, the manager of the Australian squad helpfully reassured her that his player had the safest hands in the team and never dropped a ball. |
The Queen remained with her feet firmly on the ground as she met the squad, who towered over her, at Windsor on Monday. | The Queen remained with her feet firmly on the ground as she met the squad, who towered over her, at Windsor on Monday. |
Before meeting her, the players were reminded not to shake her hand too vigorously and could be seen carefully practising suitably gentle handshakes among themselves. | Before meeting her, the players were reminded not to shake her hand too vigorously and could be seen carefully practising suitably gentle handshakes among themselves. |
The team plays England at Twickenham on Saturday. | The team plays England at Twickenham on Saturday. |
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