Princess Anne and Emlyn Hughes - ‘A Question of Sport at 50’

An excerpt taken from the BBC documentary ‘A Question of Sport at 50’ which looks back at half a century of the popular sports quiz, focusing on Princess Anne’s famous appearance on the 200th episode of the show in 1987, a few weeks after team captain Emlyn Hughes had mistaken her for jockey John Reid. It was watched by 19 million people.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the footage. All rights belong to the BBC.

[@tytn9978]

Princess Anne has definitely inherited her father's sense of humour! This is such an enjoyable clip!

[@lauraragazzi464]

She is an incredible role model, such sense of duty, and I adore her sense of humor

[@paulfuray8557]

Really like princess Anne, doesn’t take herself seriously, can take a joke and doesn’t take herself too seriously. 👍🏻😄

[@DavidJohnson-yq4nz]

Full credit to her

[@English_Speaking_Fox]

You can say exactly the same about the late great E Hughes. He was my role model, my hero and my son is named after him! A captain’s captain.

[@LeeMills-ml9jm]

The Princess Royal has always been my favourite Royal. She has her Father's no-nonsense directness and her Mother's restraint. A great combination

[@bambit08]

Princess Anne - always my favourite Royal. She seems to be able to enjoy life, works really hard and does not take shit. Bless her.

[@kel70]

Anne is my ABSOLUTE favorite Royal by far. She's definitely one of the most "kickass" women around and defined cool 😎 waaaaaaay before the others. Plus her true smile....... is everything!!!!!!

[@michaelbailey8729]

Me too. She spoke with me once and puts you totally at ease chance who's around you.

[@fainitesbarley2245]

When I was growing up she was always everyone’s favourite royal. Probably because she’s obviously a normal person.

[@bmoran1795]

One hellova lot better than twisty ginger harry

[@stephenrice4554]

What a lady , sense of humour , elegance , sense of duty , loyalty to family . 🌹

[@StonyRC]

Princess Anne would NEVER have minded - Her Royal Highness has WAY too much class to let such formalities ruin a great evening!

[@annrogers8129]

The Princess Royal is a great lady, she works hard, and she has the most lovely smile! God bless her!

[@poodtang2104]

Agreed.

[@bm9152]

I agree, she seems very funny and easygoing. I always liked Emlyn too!

[@dalecollins2085]

What a much better the world would be if we could all smile and laugh like Emlyn Hughes...R.I.P Emlyn

[@DavidLPeel]

Emlyn Hughes was a true legend. His laugh and smile were infectious. RIP Emlyn. Still missed.

[@oscoe]

Yes. Missed for sure. What a man.

[@stephenduncan3605]

​​@@oscoe? I remember the day he died. It was the final year I was living in Barrow In Furness (the place where he was born and I grew up there although my family were from Merseyside).

[@walnuttc]

Indeed; couldn't agree more.

[@minanes6549]

Princess Anne is admirable. She wanted to bring her children up as normally as possible, so refused to accept the royal titles for them, as children. This protected them from royal responsibilities, kept them out of the media's way, while she got on with her own job as a working royal. Result: well adjusted and apparently happy people with their own careers and families. Any other royals out there saying they want privacy and normal life for their kids just need to follow her example. Unless being a celebrity means more to them of course.

[@audspod1]

Well said.

[@thomasjohnrobinson4658]

Are you watching Harry.

[@shieldaigbencher]

Emlyn calls the Princess Royal mate. She is the best Royal by an absolute mile. Total respect to both of them.

[@lesleymooreohsyddidtheyeve4077]

Don't forget she fell in the Olympic 3 Day Event and broke her sternum. As she needed her round to count (1 rider had already gone out) so she remounted and finished the course, amazing lass.

[@christopheroshea9799]

Anne is a natural She would have made a great monarch

[@laurelbozman6997]

Indeed

[@fainitesbarley2245]

She would have hated it though. This is the one who originally turned down titles for her children as she wanted them to have normal lives.

[@anneramsey6403]

She’s brilliant. She would never of taken offence. I love her.

[@nickwatkins5321]

I remember watching this at the time. Emelyn was all over the place and so unsure of what he was doing. He was very tactile, so not being able to put his arm around her was a struggle. I’ve met Anne, she was absolutely delightful and bloody funny

[@wonderwinder1]

Wow, Princess Royals is a gem of a person

[@keedinah]

I never realized how much she looked like her mother when she was that same age. I think it's really noticeable when she smiled.

[@laduchesse9402]

Definitely inherited her smile from her mother!

[@laurelbozman6997]

Princess Anne seems like an absolutely lovely lady.

[@sheilawhite8314]

it is so funny he couldn't keep his arms away from her but it was so very funny and I think Princess Anne just loved it and so did everyone else lol

[@heucatia]

Oh wow I'd never seen her so happy! 😆

[@dianeyoung2914]

I loved Emlyn Hughes, he was such a lovely funny man.

[@SuperKillbill1234]

I remember that one, she was brill...A great sport..with the best captain...RIP.Emlyn

[@NallDave]

This is one of those programmes I remember. It comes into my mind occassionally and I'm still laughing. Princess Anne was brilliant. Totally down to Earth. What can you say about Emlyn Hughes, just so funny. The programme nowadays is alas not as good.

[@joeyaigot3499]

What a pitty that Princess Anne is not going to be the next monarch. That may be a blessing in disguise, but just imagine her as the Queen. She would be an absolute BOSS, great sense of humour, very athletic even to this day and well versed within the Monarchy.

[@mfdixon2265]

Joey, she is also the smartest one of the whole bunch.

[@dingopisscreek]

"Off with their heads" 🤣🤣

[@lilymarinovic1644]

I think it is the fact that she HASN'T been raised with that pressure of being potential monarch that has helped her develop into who she is. Charles and William simply COULDN'T do the same things in the same way, lest it be seen as too undignified or risky.

[@TheSunOfKrypton]

What a gem of a clip...I remember watching the show with Princess Anne as a child when it aired in 1987. John, Emlyn and Bill will always be the best host and captain's in my opinion.

[@laduchesse9402]

The best trio by a mile. I would love to see the full episode again!

[@martinkelly6709]

John? You mean David Coleman.

[@TheRip72]

@@laduchesse9402 Full episode? I would love to see the raw footage. I have been in the audience for 1 QoS episode & 70-80% of the footage was edited out for the broadcast just to fit in the teams actually answering the questions. It was entertaining from start to finish & I am sure HRH was brilliant the whole way through.

[@Pat14922]

I'm Impressed that you watched TV with Princess Anne

[@jonblazeinc]

Remember watching as 8 year old child myself back then my Mom was commenting on Emlyn getting bit too much touchy feely with the princess then lol . First time I seen this footage since in 36 years, irony Princess was a jockey and Emlyn nickname was Crazy Horse lmao....RIP Emlyn

[@miguelrodriguez4968]

This was absolutely magnificent. You really get the good sense of humor that Prinecess Anne had. Emlyn was priceless.

[@beverleypearson2646]

Princess Anne is such an Icon. Can you imagine if she’d have been our next Queen……. I’d have loved to see the Crown on her head. She would have truly deserved to be Our Queen Anne 👑 ❤

[@linamae89]

When she smiles she looks so much like the Queen.

[@chrisbutcher5179]

Had the pleasure of meeting Emlyn when he opened a children’s unit at our local hospital what a genuine guy a true gentleman not a bad footballer too.

[@waterloosunset4559]

yes me too - he was just like that, very smiley and jokey with everyone. He is much missed.

[@ashleywhite2362]

I’m not a royalist but I think she is fast becoming my favourite Royal of all. What a great Lady Princess Royal happen to be just a jolly good sport. Xx❤️

[@thedativecase9733]

That's just how I feel. I was anti-Monarchy for most of my life, but I wish she had become Queen instead of Charles becoming King,

[@Choccoxlattejosie]

If they still have the full recording of this show it would be the highest watched show on TV

[@musicalmagpie741]

It’s posted on KZbin. You can watch the whole episode.

[@keithkristi7938]

I had a crush on Princess Anne many years ago. This video reminded why. She oozed charisma and elegance and had a wicked sense of humour and a smile that melted my heart.

[@GeordiePat1]

Love this Lady. Straight up no nonsense hard worker and great sense of humour loyal and likes to have fun.🙏👍🥰

[@stephensmith4480]

I have always admired Anne, she is one of the hardest working Royals and has done immense work with various charities, she also has a brilliant sense of humor.

[@BeasleyStreet]

Just big smiles...utter joy.

[@kimmarievan-ever6599]

I remember watching that..loved Emlyn..he was just so darn funny and The Princess Royal was a part of the team..put her with either Emlyn or Bill they'd of have fun but Emlyn looked just so uneasy worrying he'd do or say the wrong thing. Pure magic..

[@adellittle3547]

I remember watching this when i was about 11. Emlyn didnt know what to do with himself 😂 Everyone was just brillliant. Wonderful memories. 👏👏👏

[@philthy903]

Thanks for this. I was quite taken by how happy and relaxed she appeared at the Coronation; she's still gorgeous.

[@carolynmurtaza1180]

I remember watching that episode. My dad watched it every week

[@rhyfelwrDuw]

Princess Anne is very dignified but not snobby! I think she would a fun person to hang around with!

[@murallivengadasalamthevar1784]

And emlyn was the same person that Introduced Princess Anne to the Liverpool squad in the 1974 FA cup final. What a captain🙏🌹👌💪

[@upsidedownworldexposed6735]

19 million viewers.. Best Royal ever

[@6611haggis]

Classic TV moment. Taxi for Hughes.

[@mattbod]

I can see her mother in her now. She’s no nonsense but down to earth and no airs and graces. Probably my favorite Royal now tbh. I don’t think Anne would have minded him putting his arms around her. My neighbour worked as a Butler to the Queen and said most of the Royal Family were surprisingly down to earth and liked to put people at their ease (apart from Andrew). It was the courtiers who fussed over protocol. We see that when King Charles accepted a kiss from a member of the public after the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

[@colingeddes2172]

Emlyn Hughes and princess Anne. What a double act. Loved him, love her. Box officd tv from the 80s.😅

[@MrRea112]

Princess Anne would have been (and still is!) a worthy and popular successor to Queen E!

[@tiedtheknotable]

I remember watching that episode as a kid. I still crack up watching Emlyn trying desperately to keep his hands to himself! 😂😂😂😂

[@alanm1894]

One of my favourite shows and this episode was just brilliant.

[@Fatima502]

The unsung hero of this moment was David Coleman, who chaired the show to perfection

[@patbassett1617]

I watched this all those years ago. Princess Anne, was so funny. Loved her since then.

[@christinecormack9319]

Always loved Princes Anne x

[@GABISNAIL]

My face hurts from smiling so much 😂

[@kramrenrut950]

Smiled all way through this

[@brucecoleman5379]

I love this s story! Hello from Texas!

[@marlenewolffe4613]

Hello from Zimbabwe

[@Nokka10]

Ah loved Emlyn Hughes. Question of Sport was unmissable back then

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Lovely lady, great humor, love her to bits.

[@kateyshaw7295]

Emlyn Hughes was an amazing role model for sports , he was funny he was celver he seemed a very kind man too , so different from the so called " super stars" of today who always seem angery and creedy sending the wrong signals to young people who follow them ...Emlyn Hughes will always be a star a truely super star ....

[@guitarlover302]

Just watched TV program about her - very impressive Royal 👑 Hard working and loyal unlike some !

[@audspod1]

@Rhys Hoffman Maybe Andrew!! I'm sure a disappointment to his Mother!

[@davideckersley9930]

I wish a question of sport was as much fun as that now.

[@audspod1]

So do I!! Just not the same anymore.

[@martinhambleton5076]

Princess Anne. Wonderful Lady.

[@malcolmabram2957]

She was a capable sports woman in her own right. Princess or no Princess, she had every right to be there as a successful sports woman, and she took every advantage of the opportunity, It was in the days when this programme was a good watch. I miss Sue Barker.

[@audspod1]

I miss Sue too! Not the same anymore.

[@twmlloyd5257]

Brilliant, dont think i ever missed an episode those days, RIP Crazy horse

[@WilliamViets]

She’s wonderful.

[@martingregson7136]

I recall watching this episode, it was hilarious

[@ildblm1507]

Princess Anne is absolutely fantastic

[@ianrae1546]

I remember this episode so well. Princess Anne was brilliant and such a good sport.

[@colinweir5807]

A great video clip. Good to see Princess Anne going with the flow of the program

[@jp-um2fr]

What a wonderful lady, what a Queen she would make.

[@ForgetMeNot2022]

Loved this program

[@juliecasey5196]

That’s was brilliant to watch

[@ROCKINGMAN]

I never really watched this quiz show, being lousy at sports questions, seen a couple, all good fun, but I would have watched this one with Princess Anne. She seems to be such a sport herself.

[@TheRip72]

It used to be good fun & light hearted without being too silly like some TV quizzes are now. The real gem with having HRH on was the bit at the start of the clip when Emlyn mis-identified a photo of her as John Reid just a few shows earlier.

[@virginiafry9854]

Anne is actually very funny and has a quick wit!

[@audspod1]

Always knew that about the Princess Royal, shame others don't know that about her.

[@lingolarker9318]

Her mother’s daughter alright😊

[@capcompass9298]

Once asked on TV if she had any secrets in dealing with the press, her answer was, "Oh yes!"........ ...silence until the interviewer wisely changed subject within a second or two.

[@robbierobinson394]

Only just found this. Brilliant. And my god in my opinion Princess Anne looked gorgeous, I've always had a crush on her and still do. Great looking. Great sense of humour, interesting, intelligent and loves horses. What more can a guy want. Oh yeah and quite well off. Sounds like a keeper.

[@susandeason1356]

She’s beautiful and hilarious

[@lsmith9249]

l remember watching this, it was brilliant and so funny, she's got a great sense of humour

[@armchairguru1921]

Princess Anne is 'a good stick.'

[@henrimatisse7481]

what a fun group, it brought tears to me: such innocent fun and camaraderie

[@streips]

What a great sport HRH is. Good on her!

[@fionathomson4436]

Loved Question of Sport, and Princess Anne is such a good sport

[@toonarmy8524]

she is fooking class. isnt bothered about the royal status. She is having a laugh and loves it, One of the only royals worth her salt.

[@Aine24601]

I remember Emlyn and Princess Anne...they were hilarious..everyone talked about it next day....they made a great double act...🤣🤣

[@JuneWrench]

Brilliant

[@sdaws]

A wonderful sense of humour , princess Anna❤❤

[@lesleymanchester7149]

It was a fantastic episode with princess anne on

[@terencehankinson2000]

Jackie here. I remember watching this and laughing so much. They were both amazing . The princess royal,has a wonderful sense of humour. She will also put you in your place if needed with one look

[@earthcitizen592]

Beautiful Princess Anne!!! 🌸🌸🌸

[@elizabethwilliams9994]

Brilliant. I remember this so well. I was in fits of laughter 😂

[@JuneWrench]

She wa brilliant on here

[@qed456]

back when the BBC had some class - Lovely to see it not dumbed down and Her Royal Highness gracing it with her presence.

[@dawnmurphy3225]

What a SUPER sport HRH is, great fun

[@meridianx9020]

Emlyn and Bill were the best captains ever!

[@Del-yv1qy]

She was good fun but Emlyn Hughes was such a lovely man even though he played for Liverpool , you'd have to like him. RIP.

[@bernardgooch4308]

i would love to hear her notes on the day. bet she loved it

[@maxmoore9955]

She is Everything, That we believe in.

[@obadiahspong2300]

I am not a royalist, but Princess Anne has always been a great and hardworking royal. She should been leapfrogged over Charlie in the pecking order. She was also the first royal to tell someone to "Naff Off!" :-)

[@PhatTok]

Emlyn was amazing, such a great and warm guy.

[@squadmeta]

I had to do a one on one talk with her the year after this for a school visit. She’s very likeable.

[@mogznwaz]

Emlyn Hughes was brilliant, QoS was compulsory viewing back then!!

[@nicholassmith4665]

Brilliant edition brilliant captain brilliant sport Princess Anne need more people like them