Prince Harry appeared in high spirits and boasted a healthy tan while appearing in an England Rugby video.
The Duke of Sussex, 35, who is currently living in LA with wife Meghan Markle, 38, and their son Archie, one, after stepping back from his royal duties, admitted he has been ‘missing rugby’ since its suspension due to Covid-19 on March 20.
He featured in the video alongside several sporting stars – including former English rugby player Jonny Wilkinson and Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones – to thank sporting fans for their efforts to combat coronavirus during the pandemic.
The clip was posted to England Rugby’s Instagram page earlier this week with the caption: ‘When the game was paused, the rugby family came together as one. Thank you from all of us.’
Prince Harry, 35, (above) appeared in high spirits and boasted a lockdown tan during an England Rugby video launched yesterday
![The Duke of Sussex (pictured in archive footage), 35, who is currently living in LA with wife Meghan and their son Archie, one, after stepping back from his royal duties, admitted he was 'missing rugby' since its suspension on March 20](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/24/20/30018074-8456773-image-a-91_1593028600542.jpg)
The Duke of Sussex (pictured in archive footage), 35, who is currently living in LA with wife Meghan and their son Archie, one, after stepping back from his royal duties, admitted he was ‘missing rugby’ since its suspension on March 20
![Prince Harry (pictured in archive footage before the pandemic) is patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/24/20/30018076-8456773-image-a-92_1593028605696.jpg)
Prince Harry (pictured in archive footage before the pandemic) is patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU)
The footage starts with Prince Harry captured outside in what appears to be a garden, with the royal confessing: ‘We all miss rugby.’
Then a fellow contributor says: ‘This pandemic might have paused the game,’ before the duke concludes: ‘But it hasn’t taken away our spirit.’
As part of their Pitch In campaign, the organisation says it will look to recognise those who have played their part during lockdown and shown the ‘true core values of the game’.
The clip was also referenced on their website, with the title: ‘Duke of Sussex, Jonny Wilkinson, Eddie Jones and Sarah Hunter (Rugby Union player) say thank you for pitching in to combat coronavirus.’
![Prince Harry featured in the video alongside several sporting stars - including former English rugby player Jonny Wilkinson (above) and Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones - to thank sporting fans for their efforts during the pandemic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/24/21/30018078-8456773-Prince_Harry_featured_in_the_video_alongside_several_sporting_st-a-9_1593032215483.jpg)
Prince Harry featured in the video alongside several sporting stars – including former English rugby player Jonny Wilkinson (above) and Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones – to thank sporting fans for their efforts during the pandemic
Fans were pleased to see Prince Harry feature in the video, with one social media user writing: ‘Awesome video, so happy you all put Harry in it.’
Another person added: ‘Brilliant video. I love that Prince Harry is in it too,’ while a third added: ‘Awesome! Good to see Prince Harry too.’
Prince Harry’s appearance comes after he backed the moves to ban Swing Low, Sweet Chariot from rugby games due to its association with slavery.
The duke has signalled support for the RFU’s review into the song, written by Wallace Willis, a freed Oklahoma slave, in light of the Black Lives Matter movement, The Sunday Times reported.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/24/22/30018070-8456773-image-a-77_1593033145159.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/24/22/30018066-8456773-image-a-78_1593033149010.jpg)
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![Reaction: Fans were pleased to see Prince Harry feature in the video, with one social media user writing: 'Awesome video, so happy you all put Harry in it.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/24/20/30018064-8456773-image-a-100_1593028649888.jpg)
Reaction: Fans were pleased to see Prince Harry feature in the video, with one social media user writing: ‘Awesome video, so happy you all put Harry in it.’
Prince Harry, who is patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), has sung the rugby anthem many times since childhood.
The anthem frequently rings around the stands at Twickenham and is being reviewed by the RFU, which has launched a wide-ranging probe into racism.
Written by a black slave in the American South during the nineteenth century, the song was first belted out by supporters when two black wingers – Martin Offiah and Chris Oti – became sporting heroes on the pitch at the end of the 1980s.
Prince Harry became patron of the Rugby Football League in 2016 when the Queen stepped back after decades in the role.
He continued in the role after he and Meghan stepped back from their position as senior royals.
![The video comes days after it emerged that Prince Harry has backed the moves to ban Swing Low, Sweet Chariot from rugby games due to its association with slavery (pictured in 2015 at the Rugby World Cup)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/24/22/30021096-8456773-image-a-80_1593033231113.jpg)
The video comes days after it emerged that Prince Harry has backed the moves to ban Swing Low, Sweet Chariot from rugby games due to its association with slavery (pictured in 2015 at the Rugby World Cup)