Britain’s Princess Anne, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Spain’s King Felipe and King Harald of Norway – which royals have competed at the Olympic Games?
Nope, not Meghan or Harry – but Princess Anne, Captain Mark Phillips and Zara Tindall have all represented Team GB at the Olympics over the years – what other countries’ royals have ruled at sport on the world stage, and did they take away any medals?
The life of a royal is one of representing your nation on the world stage – and there’s no grander soft power spotlight than the Olympics. From sporting families who've passed their passion on to the next generation, to Olympians who have married into royalty, we get to know the kings, princes and princesses who have competed at the flashbulb-popping spectacle of the Olympic Games.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco
Olympic and world champion swimmer, Princess Charlene Wittstock competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where her team placed fifth in the 4 x 100-metre medley relay. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Prince Albert II of Monaco. The competitive swimmer went on to achieve three gold medals at the World Cup in 2002.
Taking after his grandfather, an Olympic medallist who was part of the national rowing team, Prince Albert II was a member of the country’s bobsleigh team in every Winter Olympics from 1988 to 2002.
Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan
An equestrian, Princess Haya of Jordan took part in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and had earlier competed at the Pan-Arab Equestrian Games in 1992, where she achieved a bronze medal. According to The Horse Magazine, she is the first Jordanian athlete to turn professional.
King Harald V of Norway