Princess Anne, renowned for her lifelong passion for horses, recently visited Cape Town, South Africa, where she engaged with young horse riders at the South African Riding for the Disabled Association.
The 74-year-old Princess, who has a storied equestrian history, was asked by an 11-year-old named Lashwil how many ponies she owns. With a smile, she quipped, “More than I should have,” adding that there’s “one I do ride.”
During her visit, Anne presented rosettes to young riders, interacted with volunteers, and toured the stables, where she encountered a spirited grey pony named Maverick. Upon seeing the pony kicking at its stall door, she humorously remarked, “Oh dear, interrupting another smooth-running day,” before learning its fitting name.
The Princess Royal, who made history as the first British royal to compete in the Olympics at the 1976 Montreal Games, remains deeply connected to equestrian causes.
She supports organizations like Riders for Health, The Horse Trust, and World Horse Welfare. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, has followed in her footsteps, winning a silver medal as part of Team GB’s eventing squad at the 2012 London Olympics.
Anne’s dedication to her duties remains unwavering. Despite a horse-related accident last summer that left her with a mild concussion and minor head injuries, she quickly returned to her public engagements, including supporting Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In Cape Town, the Princess also visited the British High Commission, where she completed the planting of a rose variety named in her honor. She revealed that she grows some of these roses in her own garden.
Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, was expected to accompany her on the trip but was unable to attend due to a suspected torn ligament sustained while working on their Gatcombe estate.
