England rugby legend Sir Bill Beaumont has received the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his outstanding services to sport.
Bill made his debut for England in 1975, going on to win 34 caps and leading England to their first Grand Slam for 33 years in 1980. They won all their matches in the Five Nations Championship that year, against Ireland, France, Scotland, and Wales.
He also captained the British and Irish Lions and later managed them on the tour to New Zealand in 2005.
Knighted in 2019, he was awarded Knight of the Grand Cross (GCVO) in 2023 for services to rugby and charity. Bill was also the second-longest serving captain on BBC’s ‘A Question of Sport’ quiz show, for 14 years.
Bill was elected Chairman of World Rugby in 2016, rugby union’s global governing body.
He is an Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon that funds projects for disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland.
Bill Beaumont said:
“I am incredibly humbled to have been granted this honour, which means a great deal to me and my family. It is an incredibly proud moment and one that I will cherish.
“I am proud to serve the sport I love and therefore, this is also an accolade that I receive on behalf of rugby and the special family of volunteers, who, through their tireless efforts, are changing lives through rugby. I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the City of London Corporation for bestowing me with this wonderful honour.”
