The Princess Royal, who will celebrate her 73rd birthday next week, has been designated as the president of The British Eventing Support Trust (BEST), a role that holds significant connections to her daughter, Zara Tindall.
Established in 2021, the charity’s primary mission is to extend financial and practical aid to British Eventing members who are recuperating from accidents or confronting mental health difficulties. Furthermore, BEST is actively engaged in the advancement, examination, formulation, and execution of initiatives aimed at upholding the safety of the sport and the well-being of riders.
Anne boasts a notable equestrian track record, being the inaugural royal family member to compete in the Olympics, having participated in the Montreal Games in 1976. Her accomplishments also encompass an individual gold medal win at the European Eventing Championships held at Burghley in 1971. Subsequently, she secured both team and individual silver medals at the European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen in 1975.
Continuing the equestrian legacy within the family, Anne’s daughter, Zara, has emulated her mother’s achievements and secured a silver medal as a component of Team GB’s Eventing team during the London 2012 Olympics.
Zara Tindall, together with Laura Collett MBE, William Fox-Pitt, and Tom Jackson, is counted among the ambassadors of BEST.
Ian Stark OBE, a five-time Olympian, serves as the Chair of Trustees at BEST. He expressed his excitement about the announcement, stating, “We are extremely pleased to welcome a renowned figure from the equestrian and eventing domain to our team. The Princess Royal is known for her unwavering commitment to the charitable causes she endorses, and we are confident that she will dedicate her efforts to enhance awareness of our objectives and advance our mission.”
During the month of August, it is believed that The Princess Royal will be taking a break from her packed schedule of royal engagements.
Last week, Anne was observed offering her encouragement to Zara as she participated in the Festival of British Eventing. The event took place on the grounds of Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
Regrettably, the unfavorable weather conditions led to the cancellation of the event’s last day.
Princess Anne, the sole daughter of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II and the late Duke of Edinburgh, is a mother to Zara, aged 42, and Peter Phillips, aged 45. They are her children from her initial marriage to Captain Mark Phillips.
They parted ways in 1989, and their divorce was officially concluded three years later. Anne entered into her second marriage with Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence in December 1992.
Furthermore, on Friday, King Charles made an announcement regarding a new military role for his sister.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement: “His Majesty has decided to appoint The Princess Royal as Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. This appointment acknowledges Her Royal Highness’s significant ties to Scotland and her existing associations with the Regiment, as she currently holds the position of Colonel-in-Chief for both 1st Battalion The Ranger Regiment (previously known as 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland) and 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.”
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