Many members of royal families are athletic, but some have taken their skills to the Olympics. This summer’s Olympic Games in Paris inspired a look back at some of the historic royal Olympians. Princess Anne, the first British royal to compete in the Olympics, rode her mother’s horse in the 1976 Montreal games. Her then-husband, Captain Mark Phillips, won gold with the British equestrian team in 1972. Their daughter, Zara Tindall, followed in their footsteps and won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
Princess Charlene of Monaco, before her marriage, swam for South Africa in the 2000 Olympics. Her husband, Prince Albert II of Monaco, competed in the bobsleigh event at five consecutive Winter Olympics. King Felipe VI of Spain was a member of the Spanish Olympic sailing team in 1992 and even served as the team’s flag bearer.
King Olav V of Norway won a gold medal in sailing at the 1928 Olympics, and his son, King Harald V, competed in yachting events at three different summer games. Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum competed in martial arts at the 2008 Summer Olympics and was the first woman to carry the UAE flag. Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan represented her country in equestrian events at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
King Constantine II of Greece won a gold medal in sailing at the 1960 Olympics. Iñaki Urdangarin, who married into the Spanish royal family, competed in handball at three Olympic games and won two bronze medals. His former wife, Infanta Cristina of Spain, competed in sailing at the 1988 Olympics. Lastly, Prince Bira of Siam was on his country’s sailing squad at four different Olympic games.
These royal Olympians demonstrate the diverse talents and athletic abilities within royal families worldwide. Their participation in the Olympic games highlights their dedication to sportsmanship and international competition.
