Princess Anne left England prop Joe Heyes red-faced after mistaking him for former international Joe Marler during a pre-match meeting at Murrayfield.

The Princess Royal has served as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986. She met both teams ahead of last weekend’s Calcutta Cup clash between England and Scotland.
Princess Anne had an awkward case of mistaken identity last weekend (Credit: Cover Images)

Princess Anne confuses rugby star for The Traitors’ Joe Marler

During the traditional pre-match introductions, Anne stopped to chat with Heyes.

However, she appeared to confuse him with Marler, who recently found a new wave of fame as a finalist on the BBC’s hit reality show The Celebrity Traitors.

Heyes, 26, admitted the mix-up caught him off guard.

“Princess Anne thought I was Joe Marler, which was quite upsetting!” he joked, as reported by The Sun. “She said, ‘You’re awfully funny on TV.’”

The Leicester tighthead confessed he didn’t feel able to correct the royal in the moment.
Joe Heyes met Princess Anne recently (Credit: Ben Brady/INPHO/Shutterstock)
“I was a bit starstruck to start with. Who am I to correct her?” he said. “I didn’t really know what to say, so I almost went with it!”

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While the comment was clearly intended for Marler, who won national attention for his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors following a decorated England career that included 95 caps and a World Cup final, Heyes took the awkward encounter in good spirits.

“I’ve had all sorts of stuff about me looking like Joe Marler. But not from a royal,” he added.

Unfortunately, England had another tough afternoon at Murrayfield, falling to a 31–20 defeat.
Anne mistook rugby star Joe Heyes for The Traitors Joe Marler, who used to play for England (Credit: BBC)

Princess Anne’s engagements amid Andrew arrest

Meanwhile, Princess Anne continued with a pre-arranged engagement in Leeds just hours after her brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The Princess Royal visited HMP Leeds on Thursday afternoon, arriving in a police-escorted convoy of black Range Rovers. Around a dozen staff members from nearby charities gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the king’s sister as she entered the site.

Earlier that morning, Thames Valley Police confirmed that “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” had been arrested and that searches were being carried out at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.

“The man remains in police custody at this time,” the force said. They added that he would not be named “as per national guidance”.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.

“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation. We understand the significant public interest in this case.”

The specific details of the allegations of misconduct being investigated are unknown.

Andrew was released under investigation on Thursday evening.

In a statement issued after his brother’s arrest, King Charles said: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”