This week saw Australia enjoy another victory over the 'Poms' (the country's affectionate nickname for the English) when the nation's cricket team retrieved the Ashes from Andrew Flintoff's conquering heroes of 2005.
Unlike two rugby series' Down Under, which saw both Prince William and Prince Harry head to New Zealand and Australia respectively to cheer on the English team (although it could be argued they should be neutral, Australia being a member of the Commonwealth), the Ashes series which ended in Sydney on Thursday saw no royal supporter in the stands.
In reality, the Windsors aren't the greatest fans of the gentleman's game, although Prince Philip is a casual observer — as he says, he can't afford the time to watch full matches — and continues to be a very active President of The Lord Tavener's.
In comparison, his son Prince Charles's interest extends little further than the fact he 'owns' the Oval Cricket Ground in Surrey, although this is solely in his capacity as Duke of Cornwall. The venue is not his to sell for personal profit.
Nevertheless, Charles has been involved at the heighest level in the plans to bring two of cricket's most intense rivals, Pakistan and India, together later this Summer for several matches in England. Part of the profits from the competition will go towards The Prince's Trust.
In times past, however, the royals have put duty before their own personal interests to cheer cricket teams on from the sidelines at several major Test series'.
One of the most famous and highly anticipated of these came in 1981.
Whilst much of the country was focused on the romance of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, cricket fans had their eyes firmly fixed on the scoreboards at such legendary grounds as Lords in Central London and The Oval.
Taking a break from the preparations for the upcoming 'wedding of the century', the Queen made a visit to Lords on Thursday 2nd July 1981 to watch England attempting to regain some control over the Test series.
At this point in the five-match battle, the Australians were enjoying a 1-0 lead, although a summer of high temperatures and equally heated cricket would see England finally regain the 'little urn' (the Ashes trophy).
During the tea break on the afternoon of the first day of the second Test, Australian captain Kim Hughes and his colleagues lined up to meet the Queen.
