Olympian Princess Anne sends Team GB off with a special message before Beijing Games
PRINCESS ANNE recalled her own time as an Olympian as she wished Team GB good luck ahead of the beginning of the Winter Games in China.
The Princess Royal has sends a message to Team GB
Princess Anne recorded a video message to wish "every success" to British athletes attending the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. The Princess Royal briefly mentioned her attendance at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 as an equestrian.
The Queen's only daughter, and president of the British Olympic Association, said: "As your president, I would like to wish you every success for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
"I remember from my own Olympic career, everyone experiences their own levels of anticipation and excitement of stepping onto the Olympic stage.
"I know that you have all worked incredibly hard for this moment, overcoming the additional hurdles during these most challenging of times, and that you will do everything possible to make the nation, and yourself, proud.
"Enjoy the experience, and good luck."
In Montreal, Anne attended a testing equestrian three-day competition.
While she didn't approach a medal during the Olympics, she had previously won an individual gold medal at the 1971 Burghley Three-Day Event and individual and team silver medals in 1975 at Luhmuhlen.
The Princess Royal's daughter, Zara Tindall, followed in her mother's footsteps and also took part in the Olympic Games.
At the London Olympics 10 years ago, the Queen's granddaughter won a silver medal, handed her by Princess Anne, as a member of the Great Britain equestrian eventing team.
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On top of leading Team GB, Princess Anne is also a member of the International Olympic Committee and normally attends the Games in person.
This was not possible last summer, given the strict Covid restrictions in place in Tokyo.
Anne is also missing the chance to see the Games in person this year, as announced earlier this week by Buckingham Palace.
A statement read: "The Princess Royal is disappointed she will not be able to attend the IOC meetings in Beijing ahead of the winter Olympics this year, nor the Games themselves.
"This is due to the flight and Covid travel restriction difficulties in getting to and from the Games without losing too much of her busy work schedule at home.
"Her Royal Highness sends her best wishes for the Games to the British athletes and supporting officials."
While the palace said Anne's absence in China is due to COVID-19-related causes, Government ministers and officials have joined other western countries in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked by prominent personalities, including Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith, to take a stern stance against the Chinese Government amid several reports of brutality against Muslim minority group Uyghur and human rights concerns.
Mr Johnson said in December: "There will be effectively a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
"No ministers are expected to attend, and no officials."
During PMQs two months ago, the Prime Minister also said he raised concerns over human rights violations in China to President Xi Jinping "when I talked to him recently".
He added: "As I have said before we do not support sporting boycotts but there are not plans for ministers to attend the Winter Olympics."
Princess Anne recorded her video for Team GB from her home in Gloucestershire.
There, the Princess Royal self-isolated in December after her husband Sir Timothy Laurence contracted COVID-19.