BBC presenter Clare Balding’s towering nephew Jonno once left Queen Elizabeth II bemused with an innocent question. Young Jonno, standing at an impressive 6ft 9.5in, cheekily asked the Queen, “Where’s your crown?” when she visited their family stables at Kingsclere. Known for their prestigious history in horse racing, the Balding family often hosted the Queen during her visits to inspect her horses.
A quick-witted response from the monarch came just two days later at Newbury, where she humorously asked Jonno if her headscarf was “any better.” This memorable encounter highlights the unique bond between the Balding family and the royal circle.
Jonno, just 19, is already making waves in the rugby world. He’s part of Gloucester Rugby’s squad and is training with England’s Under-20s, though he still has the option to represent Wales in the future. With a legendary horse-racing grandfather and a sports-presenting aunt, Jonno’s sporting pedigree is undeniable.
Rugby aspirations aside, Jonno’s got plenty of tales with the royals, even meeting King Charles at Royal Ascot last year. As he continues his rugby journey, making strides at Bristol University and hoping for more England U20s call-ups, who knows which royal might get a quip from him next?
While he hasn’t donned Gloucester’s senior jersey just yet, Jonno is certainly a rising star with ambitions as tall as his frame. Plus, having Clare Balding for career advice doesn’t hurt! Keep an eye out for this young talent; he’s bound to keep us entertained both on and off the field.