Canadian Skier Reveals Heartwarming Conversation with Princess Anne After Medal Ceremony
Canadian freestyle skier Megan Oldham has shared delightful details of a personal conversation with Princess Anne, after the royal presented her with a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 24-year-old athlete from Ontario described the 75-year-old Princess Royal as 'so sweet' following their brief exchange after Oldham's medal-winning performance on the slopes.
Royal Praise for Olympic Achievement
Oldham later told Canadian journalist Ariel Helwani in a clip shared by CBC Olympics that King Charles III's sister had specifically praised her for reaching the podium. 'She was saying, "Congratulations, this is such a big accomplishment,"' the athlete explained, 'and she was also asking me about some other events that I have coming up, asking: "Are you competing again?"'
After informing Princess Anne that she would indeed be competing in the Big Air event later in the week, Oldham revealed the royal had 'wished me luck.' Journalist Helwani humorously noted that Oldham had enjoyed 'a little chit chat with the Princess.'
Medal-Winning Performance in Italian Alps
Oldham secured her bronze medal in the Women's Free Ski Slopestyle competition on Monday, placing behind gold medallist Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland and China's Eileen Gu. The medal ceremony took place in Milan, where Princess Anne had traveled specifically to watch the world's premier winter sports stars compete in the Italian Alps.
The Princess Royal's appearance at the Winter Olympics came just days after she attended England's Six Nations rugby match at Twickenham, demonstrating her commitment to supporting sports across different disciplines and nations.
Princess Anne's Distinguished Sporting Background
Princess Anne brings significant sporting credentials to her Olympic role. As an acclaimed equestrian who competed in the 1976 Olympics, she holds the distinction of being the first British royal family member to participate in the Olympic Games. Her current positions include membership in the International Olympic Committee and presidency of the British Olympic Association.
In a touching video message posted to The Royal Family's social media accounts ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Anne told Team GB athletes: 'As your competitions begin, know that you will have the support of the nation. On behalf of us all, I wish you the very best of luck.'
Royal's Recent Sporting Engagements
Just days before her Winter Olympics appearance, Princess Anne was hailed as a 'class act' by royal fans for her modest reaction to an unexpected standing ovation at Twickenham. The down-to-earth royal appeared genuinely surprised when rugby fans erupted into cheers for her during Scotland's Six Nations clash against Italy on February 7th.
Having served as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for nearly three decades, Anne is a committed supporter of the sport. She has often traveled abroad to support the Scottish national team during Six Nations tournaments and rarely misses important matches.
Beyond the Stands: Supporting Grassroots Development
Princess Anne's sporting involvement extends beyond spectator events. Last year, she became patron of the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation, which provides support to injured players across Scottish rugby. Ian Rankin, MIPF chair, described Anne as a 'dedicated supporter of the Scotland rugby team' whose 'passion for sport, her commitment to the game at all levels, is well documented.'
During a 2023 appearance on her son-in-law Mike Tindall's podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, Anne revealed how she initially became patron of the SRU 'by accident' after being asked to open the East Stand at Murrayfield Stadium when it was built.
Royal Family's Most Down-to-Earth Member
Princess Anne has long maintained a reputation as the royal family's most approachable and grounded member, frequently delighting fans with her quick wit and humorous personality. Social media users recently praised her as a 'no frills princess' who 'just gets on with serving and representing' the monarchy, with one fan describing her as 'truly a magnificent human being and fantastic role model for women around the world.'
The Princess Royal attended the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, where they enthusiastically waved to Team GB athletes. Her surprise visit to the Six Nations rugby match offered Scottish fans a brief moment of enjoyment despite their team's 18-15 loss to Italy.
