Princess Anne Has a "Fantastic" Reaction to Serial Hugger

Princess Anne pretending to hug a rugby player — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Anne might've been taken aback when Scottish rugby player Sione Tuipulotu attempted to hug her during a February trophy presentation, but she showed her sense of humor when they met again on Saturday, March 7. The Princess Royal—who is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union—attended the Guinness Six Nations 2026 match between Scotland and France, and when his team emerged victorious, Tuipulotu couldn't resist but joke around with Anne.

The Scottish player was so excited about the team's February win against England that he went in for a hug when Princess Anne congratulated him—and unlike Princess Kate, it seems Anne isn't a hugger. The moment went viral when Princess Anne was caught on video awkwardly stepping back and shaking Tuipulotu's hand instead. This time, the rugby star took the opportunity to share a joke with the royal after Scotland's big win, pretending to lean in for a hug as Anne laughed and held her hands up.

Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, body language expert Darren Stanton says that Anne's reaction "was a fantastic moment."

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Stanton says that although she didn't go in for the hug this time, their funny moment showed that the Princess Royal can take a joke. "Princess Anne is in good spirits and she shakes his hand, and places her left hand on his arm, which in this situation is a term of endearment," he shares.

"It’s a friendship and it’s like they are sharing a private joke. It’s a way of creating deep rapport and a connection," Stanton adds. "This situation demonstrates that Princess Anne does have a fantastic sense of humor and she’s not afraid to have a laugh with people."

The famously no-nonsense Princess Royal is consistently named one of the hardest working members of the Royal Family, and Stanton adds that what you see is what you get. "If she’s not happy, you’d know about it," he says.

Princess Anne shaking hands with a rugby player — The Princess Royal serves as patron of the Scottish Rugby League.

Earlier last week, Anne joined Prince William and Duchess Sophie to remember the Royal Family's late friend Dame Shân Legge-Bourke. Stanton says that "the dynamic between" the Princess Royal and the Prince of Wales is "fantastic."

"William and Anne are the future of the monarchy, as well as Kate, Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward," Stanton says. "They’re the stronghold."

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Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.