Royals

Crowning glories: Meet the royal Olympians

Zara Phillips couldn’t keep the emotion from her face when she finally made her Olympic debut yesterday.

The Queen’s granddaughter grinned throughout her dressage test and shed a few tears as she left the arena aboard her horse High Kingdom.

But while Zara’s appearance at the Games made headlines, she’s not the first royal to compete in the illustrious sporting event.

Zara’s mother Princess Anne rode in the 1976 Olympics, Monaco’s Prince Albert was a member of his nation’s bobsled team and several other princes and princesses have taken part. Here are all our favourite royal Olympians.

Zara Phillips competing in the dressage section of the three-day event.

Monaco’s Charlene Wittstock was an Olympic swimmer in the 1990s.

Monaco’s Prince Albert competed in five Winter Olympics in his nation’s bobsled team.

Princess Anne competed in the three-day event at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

Princess Haya of Jordan competed in the equestrian in Sydney in 2000.

Denmark’s Princess Nathalie won bronze in dressage at the 2008 Olympics.

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal will compete in equestrian events in London.

Another Saudi royal Prince Abdullah will also ride in London.

Former Greek king Constantine won a gold medal in dragon sailing at the 1960 Olympics.

Four Spanish royals have sailed in the Olympics, including Prince Felipe in 1992.

Spain’s Princess Cristina also sailed in the Games in 1988.

Spain’s King Juan Carlos came 15th in dragon sailing in the 1972 Games.

Spain’s Queen Sofia competed for her native Greece in the sailing in 1960.

Norway’s King Olav V won a gold medal in sailing at the 1928 Olympics.

Norway’s King Harald V inherited his father’s sailing skills, competing in three Games.

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