‘I’ll stick to horses’: What it’s really like covering Princess Anne on the road
© Getty ImagesA trademark chignon, carefully positioned by the Princess herself, a rugby presence, a longstanding patronage, a meaningful stop-off in a day packed with engagements and plenty of typical, brisk humour.
The only thing missing on the Princess Anne bingo card perhaps, was a horse. But even that came up in conversation.
It’s rare to cover one of the Princess Royal’s engagements in person. She famously abhors fuss of any kind and prefers to go about her business without a press pack following her every move.
© Getty ImagesI was once told that her only “rider” on a royal engagement is “a cup of coffee strong enough to stand a spoon in”.
But when it came to the rather extraordinary efforts of Sir Kevin Sinfield in raising awareness of and funds for Motor Neurone Disease, in memory of his friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate, the late Queen’s only daughter was more than happy to spread the word.
A helicopter whirred briefly overhead and a few minutes later, the Princess made a low-key arrival at the University of York’s athletics track, stepping out of her car alone. Her lady-in-waiting was already there, and she was followed at a discreet distance by just a couple of protection officers.
© Getty ImagesShe was straight into the handshakes, asking everyone who they were, where they had come from and what their roles were.
Her quick sense of humour, utter dedication to duty and even the way she carried her handbag in a gloved hand reminded me enormously of her mother Queen Elizabeth II.
Her very down-to-earth, direct and unstuffy approach also echoed that of her father, Prince Philip. But while she has undoubtedly inherited many of her parents’ qualities, she brought her own unique perspective to the proceedings.
As a former Olympic sportswoman, she appeared eminently comfortable around athletes and the teams supporting them. Ever practical, she wanted to know what they were eating, how the weather was affecting them and what the funds they were raising would be used for.
When Sir Kevin invited her to join the challenge, she barely drew breath before responding with a swift, but polite, “No thank you! I will stick to horses.”
Again, the echoes of Queen Elizabeth II. It might be a stretch to imagine the late Queen joking about eating a “bacon buttie”, but in so many other ways her daughter is a chip off the old block.
© Getty ImagesShe is also very much herself, however. Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody, himself diagnosed with MND a year ago, summed it up perfectly when he described her as “an incredible spirit in her own right,” and someone who matched Sir Kevin’s own indomitable attitude as a “kindred spirit”.
Anne may not have been limbering up on the track – she joked that she was “past that stage now” and considers a fun run to be “a contradiction in terms”.
But she knows what it takes to cross the finishing line. Her efforts for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, of which she has been patron since 2008, have been every bit as committed. This was the third engagement she has undertaken for them this year so far.
© Getty Images“When I first joined, there was no research,” she remarked. Thanks to the remarkable work of Sir Kevin and other supporters, that is changing. Having her there today sprinkled a little royal stardust – and ensured the camera lenses were present – during a week which is set to take the £11 million Sir Kevin has raised for MND charities over the past six years to new heights.
© Getty ImagesShe may not seek out the limelight, but Anne’s stalwart presence and dedication have seen her become one of the royal family’s most popular members.
Yet while she may trail just behind the Prince and Princess of Wales in the polls, you get the distinct impression that she couldn’t care less about the numbers. She cares about doing the job, the people she meets and the organisations who are working hard to improve their lives. If the wider world appreciates that, then it’s a happy side effect.
