We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

When Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United on transfer deadline day last year, a strange rumour arose. It was claimed that, despite the Portugal international’s shirt number at Old Trafford not being known at the time, Queen Elizabeth II had ordered 80 jerseys for the Royal Court. However, after this story gained traction, the myth was then debunked…

Manchester United re-signed Ronaldo last year, in a move that sent shockwaves around the footballing world.

The Portugal international had been expected to leave Juventus for Manchester City instead but, after interventions from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Bruno Fernandes, opted to move back to Old Trafford.

With United sitting at the top of the Premier League table at the time, it was seen as a serious statement of intent. Though Ronaldo had shown signs of waning at Juventus, he remained one of the best goalscorers in the world.

The Sport Innovation Society then claimed that the excitement over the 37-year-old’s Hollywood homecoming had even spread to Buckingham Palace.

They tweeted that the Queen had ordered 80 United shirts with Ronaldo on the back, which she was planning to gift to her royal staff.

What’s more, is they wanted the first one to be signed by the former Juventus and Real Madrid star himself.

It was a quirky rumour, of course, one that did the rounds on social media.

But the SIS then did a follow up tweet, admitting they couldn’t confirm the news and issuing an apology in the process.

"We could not confirm the veracity of the note from the Queen and CR7 so we decided to delete the tweet. Apologies,” it read.

The Queen always loved sport, which is one of the reasons there was such opposition to Premier League matches being cancelled last week.

And there have been rumours aplenty when it comes to her allegiances over the years.

Some have suggested she was an avid supporter of Arsenal, while others have claimed Her Majesty was a big fan of fellow London club West Ham.

William is perhaps the most well-publicised football fan within the royal family, with the 40-year-old a big supporter of Aston Villa.

Harry has kept quiet about his allegiances, though it was claimed a few years ago he told a group that ‘most of the royal family are Arsenal fans’.

Kate Middleton confirmed she was a Chelsea supporter back in the day, though she may have switched to Villa due to her marriage with William.

And, in 2012, King Charles III explained that he supported Burnley. Explaining that decision, he said: "Burnley has been through some very challenging times and I'm trying to find ways of helping to regenerate and raise aspirations and self-esteem in that part of the world."

Meanwhile, Charles said last week that he’d try and serve with the same ‘unswerving devotion’ as his late mother.

“As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation,” he said.

“And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.

“My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities.

“It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.”

And he also paid tribute to the Queen, saying: “To my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.

“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.

“May 'flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’”

See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.