BLACKBURN rugby star Iain Balshaw played a key role in the second Royal wedding of the year on Saturday.
Sporting a black eye from a moped accident last week, the fullback was best man at his former team-mate Mike Tindall’s wedding to the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips.
The former Stonyhurst College pupil’s daughter Hope was also chosen as a bridesmaid for the ceremony at Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirk.
There had been speculation that Mr Tindall, 32, might don a kilt but he and Mr Balshaw both opted for traditional morning dress.
It had also been rumoured that Mr Balshaw’s best man’s speech had been vetted by Buckingham Palace before the event.
It was missed by The Queen and the 90-year-old Duke of Edinburgh who left the reception at Holyroodhouse just before dinner was served at 6pm.
Mr Balshaw, who plays for the French side Biarritz, was part of the England’s rugby World Cup-winning squad with Mr Tindall.
Mr Tindall was best man at Mr Balshaw’s wedding to Kate Davies in 2009.
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