King Charles gave his Royal seal of approval to hand ba', a centuries-old street sport, in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, despite concerns from his own protection officers.
The 77-year-old monarch threw in the first ball for the game, which dates back to 1704. Immediately after the throw, the 20 participating players surged forward, forming a ruck within yards of the King. This prompted royal security officers to move closer to him.
Charles remained unfazed by the melee, taking a few steps back to avoid the players. Before throwing the ball, he jokingly inquired about the health and safety officer, to which he was told, 'There is no health and safety here.'
Charlie Young, president of the Jethart Callants Club, who handed the ball to the King, noted that Charles was chuckling and enjoying the roughness of the sport. Young mentioned that the King said he had played a similar game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, though he was unsure of the date.
"Our annual game takes place in February and it can get a bit rough so the shop windows all get boarded up. It’s full contact and not really any rules," Young explained, adding that the exhibition match became "a wee bit heated."
The players were engaged in a scrummage for nearly five minutes in Jedburgh's Market Square before the 'Uppies' broke away to win the game 1-0. The event was observed by thousands of spectators and local dignitaries, including Lord Lieutenant John Jeffrey and former Scotland rugby players Roy Laidlaw and John Rutherford.
This visit marked the first Royal visit to Jedburgh since 2006, when the Princess Royal opened a refurbished bandstand. During his visit, King Charles was entertained by the Jedforest Instrumental Band, remarking that he used to play the trumpet. He also inspected the work of local businesses, including the Abbey Bridge Cafe, inquiring about their origins and operations.
King Charles is currently in Scotland for the annual Royal Week, accompanied by Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, who are also attending various events. The hand ba' game is part of Jedburgh's annual summer festival. Prior to the game, a pipe band led a procession through the town, headed by this year's Jethart Callant, Robbie Thomson, 25. He and five other festival principals then performed a traditional reel for the King.
