Prince Harry booed by fans as he enjoys a beer at rugby match on first solo public social outing since returning to the UK

Published: 10:37 EDT, 10 October 2026 | Updated: 10:37 EDT, 10 October 2026

Prince Harry ditched the celebrity bubble of his new life and headed to the rugby, pint in hand, living his UK dream again.

His enthusiasm, however, was not shared by everyone in attendance, with the 42-year-old greeted by boos from some sections of the crowd when he appeared on the stadium’s big screen.

TNT commentator Nick Mullins said: ‘A face in the crowd, Prince Harry, back home and enjoying some rugby again. Some boos there’.

Trying times: Prince Harry was seen watching a rugby match with pals but was booed by other stadium-goers when his face was shown on the big screen

Exciting times: The Duke Of Sussex got involced with the action and was seen throwing his hands up in the air

The broadcaster cut away from the prince seconds later.

The trip marked Prince Harry’s first solo public outing since he, his wife Meghan, and their children Lilibet and Archie returned to the UK in August.

The royal cheered from the stands as he watched Leicester Tigers take on rivals Gloucester Rugby.

Prince Harry was glued to the action, punching the air and high-fiving his friend in celebration of Leicester pushing ahead to their ultimate 38-31 win.

Keen viewer: Harry looked deeply concentrated during the Slater Cup game

Nervous look: At times during the close match at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, the Prince appeared tense

Prince Harry watched the match with friends and with Andrea Pinchen, the Tigers chief executive.

Harry has been a lifelong fan of the sport but left his wife and children at home in the Cotswolds for the match.

The family returned to the UK in August from their Montecito mansion ahead of the start of the new school year.

But if it was hoped their change of location would instantly lead to a thawing of tensions between Harry and the rest of the Royal Family, most notably his brother, Prince William, this does not appear to be the case.

It was reported last night that the Sussexes will not be spending Christmas with family members: instead ditching traditional celebrations at Sandringham most likely for a visit to California.

The monarch hosts members of the Royal Family at the residence in Norfolk each December, continuing a tradition started by Edward VII in 1870.

But a friend told the Daily Mail that the Sussexes are trying to ‘keep their heads down between now and Christmas, when they will go back to California for the holidays’.