Prince Harry discovered that a cold beer and a front-row seat at Welford Road doesn’t guarantee a warm reception, copping audible boos from sections of the Leicester crowd during Friday night’s pulsating Premiership clash with Gloucester.

The Duke of Sussex, attending the match with Leicester chief executive Andrea Pinchen, found himself on the wrong end of the big screen treatment when TNT cameras caught him mid-pint, prompting a mixed reaction from the Tigers faithful that ranged from polite applause to decidedly less regal disapproval.

“Some boos there,” TNT commentator Nick Mullins remarked matter-of-factly before swiftly returning to the action, where Leicester were busy mounting a remarkable comeback from 14 points down to claim a 38-31 victory.

Harry, 42, has long been a devoted rugby fan, though his latest appearance at the English game’s coalface came with the added baggage of six years away from British soil. The prince and his American wife Meghan, 45, returned to the United Kingdom in August after their extended stateside exile following the couple’s bombshell decision to step back from royal duties.

Also read: Prince Harry: royal misfit making unlikely UK return

Recent UK visits have reportedly seen Harry mend fences with his father, King Charles III, who is battling cancer. However, relations with his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Catherine remain frosty, adding an extra layer of intrigue to any public appearance.

Still, nothing says “I’m back and I don’t care” quite like watching rugby with a beer in hand whilst sections of the crowd voice their displeasure.

Tigers roar back from early nightmare

On the pitch, Leicester delivered entertainment worthy of the royal scrutiny, overturning a calamitous start to hand Gloucester their first league defeat of the season in spectacular fashion.

The Tigers couldn’t have scripted a worse opening if they’d tried. Billy Searle’s sin-binning just three minutes in set the tone for a nightmare start, and Gloucester capitalised ruthlessly on their numerical advantage.

Wales flanker Jac Morgan crashed over before the visitors’ driving maul proved unstoppable, with Dian Bleuler touching down to give Gloucester a commanding 14-0 lead after just 10 minutes.

But Leicester are made of sterner stuff at Welford Road. The Tigers clawed their way back into contention through tries from Finn Carnduff and Joe Heyes, drawing level before Jamie Blamire’s driving maul effort sent them into the sheds with a 21-14 half-time advantage.

Forward domination defines eight-try thriller

The second half belonged to Leicester, though not without Gloucester making them sweat for every point. A penalty extended the Tigers’ lead before Wales international Aaron Wainwright marked his 50th-minute try to push the hosts further ahead.

Ollie Hassell-Collins became the first back from either side to breach the try line when he crossed in the corner, highlighting a match utterly dominated by the big men up front. Eight of the nine tries came courtesy of forwards, a stat that would make any pack prouder than punch.

Gloucester refused to go quietly, claiming two bonus points in the dying stages as Jack Innard scored their fourth try. George Barton’s penalty with the final kick of the game added respectability to the scoreline, but the damage was done.

Leicester’s 31 unanswered points during their purple patch proved the difference, transforming a potential disaster into a statement victory that keeps their season momentum building.

For Gloucester, it’s a harsh lesson that even the best starts can unravel against quality opposition with home advantage. Their first league defeat will sting, particularly given how comprehensively they controlled the opening exchanges.

As for Prince Harry, he witnessed a proper Leicester performance – all guts, determination and the kind of comeback that gets the crowd roaring. Even if some of those roars were directed at the royal box rather than the pitch.

Whether he’ll risk another Welford Road appearance remains to be seen. But if he does, he might want to time his big-screen moment for when Leicester score rather than during a lull in play.