In a hilarious case of mistaken identity, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, confused rugby player Joe Heyes for his former teammate Joe Marler during a pre-match ceremony. This amusing incident occurred at the Calcutta Cup last Saturday, leaving Heyes in a tricky situation.
Princess Anne, a patron of Scottish Rugby since 1986, was introducing herself to the England team when she stopped to chat with Heyes, a 26-year-old tighthead prop. Unaware of Marler's retirement 15 months prior, she praised Heyes for his humor on the celebrity TV show, The Traitors, mistaking him for Marler. And who could blame her? Both players sport impressive beards and play in the front row.
Heyes, understandably, was taken aback. "She thought I was Joe Marler, which was... quite upsetting," he recalled. But he handled the situation with grace and humor, not wanting to cause a diplomatic incident. "Who am I to correct her?" he wondered. It's not every day you're mistaken for a celebrity by royalty!
This mix-up is not an isolated incident, as Heyes has often been told he resembles Marler. But being recognized by a royal is a unique experience. Despite the confusion, Heyes appreciated the encounter, especially as it involved meeting the patron of the opposing rugby union, a tradition he values.
The retired Marler, a 95-cap veteran for England, has become a household name since his appearance on Celebrity Traitors. His stint on the show, alongside celebrities like Stephen Fry and Alan Carr, has made him a familiar face to many. But it seems Princess Anne's confusion shows that even royalty can get caught up in cases of mistaken identity.
But here's where it gets controversial: Was it a simple mistake, or could there be more to this story? Some might argue that it reflects a lack of attention to detail by the Princess Royal, while others may see it as a charming anecdote. What do you think? Is this a case of royal oversight or just a funny coincidence? Share your thoughts in the comments!
