State banquets, diplomatic pressures and moments of national turmoil rarely unsettled the late Queen Elizabeth II, but the tension of Team GB’s women’s hockey final at the Rio 2016 Olympics proved a different kind of ordeal.
Today marks ten years since Great Britain made history by winning Olympic gold, defeating the Netherlands 2-0 in a dramatic penalty shootout as families across the country watched from their living rooms.
Among those following every moment was the Royal Family, who had tuned in from Balmoral, the Duchess of Edinburgh revealed during a special BBC Radio 5 Live programme marking the anniversary.
Sophie said she could barely sit still during dinner at the monarch’s Scottish residence, “twitching” with nerves as a member of staff repeatedly “whispered” score updates to her, until Queen Elizabeth finally gave her permission to leave the table.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, just go,” the Queen told her daughter-in-law, prompting Sophie to “run through to the library” so she could watch the rest of the match.
The wife of Prince Edward recalled that the late Duke of Edinburgh joined her for the closing stages of the gripping contest, while Queen Elizabeth appeared nearby, “standing in the doorway watching” as the penalties unfolded.
“I was leaping up and screaming and everything, and the drawing room is right next door, and I suddenly was sort of conscious of this presence, and Her Majesty had come through, and she was standing in the doorway watching, and it was getting so pressured,” Sophie said.
But even the Queen found the suspense too much, Sophie said, explaining that Her Majesty “couldn’t cope with it” and had to “take herself away again,” while Prince Philip looked on with amusement at Sophie “leaping up and down” in celebration and nerves.
Sophie recalled how Queen Elizabeth excused her from dinner after she had been ‘twitching’ at the monarch’s Scottish residence as a staff member kept ‘whispering’ the score to her
Prince Edward’s wife said the late Duke of Edinburgh joined her for the final moments of the nail-biting match while Elizabeth ‘was standing in the doorway watching’ the penalties
‘I think he was watching my reaction more than he was watching the television because I was literally living and breathing every moment,’ the Duchess – who is a patron of England Hockey – said.
‘And I was standing there, leaping up and down, or sitting, leaping up and down. My father-in-law was laughing at me.’
Sophie recorded the programme with presenter Eleanor Oldroyd as well as Olympians Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh, who were part of the winning squad that brought home Team GB’s first women’s hockey gold.
The full show will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live at 9pm today.
It comes after the Duke and Duchess enjoyed a double date with their daughter Lady Louise and her boyfriend Felix da Silva-Clamp in London’s West End last week.
The St Andrews graduates, both 22, were all smiles as they arrived at the House of Sisters Grimm Theatre to watch the Grammy-nominated production Inala.
The King’s niece, who is taking a gap year after earning a bachelor’s degree, was effortlessly elegant in a green and plaid skirt, while Kensington-born Felix looked sharp in a black suit.
Meanwhile, the Duchess, 61, opted for a cream shirt that she paired with a navy skirt and cream espadrilles, while Prince Edward, 62, looked dapper in a light blue shirt and chinos.
Great Britain’s Hollie Webb celebrating with her teammates after the women’s hockey team won gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016
The group later posed for pictures and met cast members at the opulent theatre, as a representative for Sisters Grimm said their visit was ‘incredibly special’.
A night at the theatre will also have brought back fond memories for Lady Louise and Felix, whose love story began after they were cast in a student play at St Andrews in 2024.
Photos from a fundraiser for the university’s drama society showed the pair looking happy and loved up, with Lady Louise and Felix appearing just as content during Friday night’s outing.
Felix, who remained at Lady Louise’s side throughout the evening, was animated in pictures from their meet-and-greet with the cast of Inala, while the royal was poised in her interactions.
‘It was incredibly special to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their children to INALA, 12 years after its world premiere here in Edinburgh,’ Chiara from the theatre told Hello! magazine.
‘Over the years, we’ve been honoured to perform for the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Variety Performance and for Prince Harry at Hampton Court Palace.
‘To now share INALA with another generation of the Royal Family feels very special. We’re beginning to wonder who might come and see us next!’
