Prince William’s best moments with ‘Super Trooper’ Princess Anne: Pictures show the pair’s close bond, as she arrives in France for the Olympics after recovering from horse-related injury
She recently cemented her reputation as the hardest-working royal by quickly resuming public duties after suffering a head injury at her Gatcombe Park estate.
And when Princess Anne returned to work earlier this month – less than three weeks after the horse accident – her cousin Prince William sent her warm wishes.
He and Catherine, Princess of Wales, wrote on X: ‘Super trooper! So good to see you back so soon! W & C x’.
Yesterday, Anne proved her ‘superhero’ qualities by heading to Paris for her first trip abroad since her injury.
She is in France for 12 days to complete a busy schedule related to the Olympic Games.
William and Kate’s personal message highlights the couple’s close bond with the princess, who spent five nights in hospital after reportedly being hit by a horse while out walking.
Prince William and Princess Anne are known to have a strong bond and are often seen together at royal gatherings and family occasions.
Princess Anne and Prince William have a close bond. Above: The couple attend the Order Of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle on June 17, 2024
Prince William and Princess Anne are known to have a close bond. The pair appeared with Kate on Mike Tindall’s podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, last year.
William and Kate also appeared with Anne on Mike Tindall’s podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, which filmed last year at Windsor Castle.
They reminisced and laughed a lot about fond memories.
Anne always had a close relationship with her brother, King Charles, and her children, Peter and Zara, spent a lot of time with William and his brother Prince Harry while they were growing up.
Princess Anne attended Williams’ christening in August 1982, even playing a role in trying to stop him from crying.
The Mail reported: ‘Princess Anne tried to make a few cackling noises of her own to help the slightly bullied and red-faced Diana.
“Anne knows all too well how hard it is to keep a little baby happy as he is passed from person to person for photos. Her son, Peter, screamed during his christening.”
William has fond memories of visiting Balmoral during the summer holidays, where Anne would challenge him to races around the castle grounds – and never let him win.
William previously recalled her competitive spirit, describing her as “quite quick” and noting that the ‘look that [she] had on [her] “My face was pretty scary.”
Athleticism is a trait that both royals share: Anne made history as the first royal to compete in the Olympic Games.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to have a close bond with Princess Anne. Above: The couple with Anne on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast in honor of the centenary of the Royal Air Force, July 10, 2018
William and Anne laugh as they take part in Mike Tindall’s podcast, The Good, The Bad and the Rugby at Windsor Castle, September 2023
Princess Anne and her cousin William attend the Order of the Thistle Service at St Giles Cathedral in 2016
The couple embrace warmly during the service celebrating the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, held at the Guards Chapel in 2007
A young Prince William and his aunt Princess Anne attend the Royal Christmas Service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, in 1990
Princess Anne is often photographed with William at royal events, such as Trooping The Colour (2017 photo)
Prince William and Princess Anne attended the opening ceremony of the London Olympics together in 2012. The couple appeared relaxed as they chatted in the royal box
Prince William and Princess Anne attend the annual Trooping The Colour parade on the Mall in 2017
Prince William and Princess Anne have a candid conversation as they leave the Thistle ceremony in Edinburgh in 2012
The duo, dressed in matching green velvet Mantle robes, later shared a joke in the car
William and Anne ride side by side during the Trooping the Colour parade on The Mall in 2022
Princess Anne and her cousin William attended a service commemorating the 50th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1997
Prince William talks to his aunt as they arrive at the Most Noble Order of the Garter service held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in June
During an episode of Mike Tindall’s podcast, which was released to coincide with the Rugby World Cup in France, William spoke about his early involvement in the sport.
Anne entertained royal fans by teasing Kate William about rugby.
“I played at school. I loved it,” William said, before Kate playfully interrupted him: “You did that? You did that?”
When asked about his position by podcast co-host Alex Payne, William admitted, somewhat embarrassed, “I started out on the wing…”
The group burst out laughing and one of the presenters teased Kate: ‘You said you weren’t competitive!’
Anne joined in the conversation and said, “That was just the question, let alone the answer!”
William added that he was trying to be polite and that he wouldn’t say what he actually wanted to say about Kate.