Fiji players take to knee
Fijian rugby players have been hailed for a second show of respect for royalty by bowing to Prince Harry at an inter-services game at Twickenham.
Last August, the Fijian sevens team earned universal acclaim for bowing and kneeling in respect as Prince Harry’s aunt, Princess Anne, presented their gold medals at the Rio Olympics.
The Daily Mail reported that, ‘‘in poignant scenes at Twickenham’’ on Sunday, Fijian members of the British Army rugby team kneeled before Prince Harry before their 100th annual match against the Royal Navy.
Prince Harry, who was attending the match as patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, a competition for wounded service men and women, met the teams on the pitch before kickoff.
The Daily Mail noted ‘‘the days of professional players kneeling down for royals has long been a thing of the past.
‘‘But in a touching sign of respect, the players from Commonwealth country Fiji bended the knee for as they met Prince Harry, as they do for any royal or head of state.
‘‘After the moving show of respect, the prince took his seat in the crowd where he jubilantly pulled faces as he took selfies on fans’ smartphones.’’
The Fijians’ act of genuflection may have been a lucky omen - their Army team won the centennial match, 29-20.
Fiji’s sevens team were pictured at the Rio medals ceremony, bowing their heads, kneeling and clapping three times.
The princess duly responded in a similar fashion as she continued down the line of Fiji’s towering champions.