Princess Anne has admitted she does not remember competing in the 1976 Montreal Olympics after suffering a concussion during the cross-country event. The Princess Royal, now 75, made the revelation at a reunion dinner celebrating 50 years since the Games, held at the Lansdowne Club in Mayfair.
Royal Olympian's Memory Loss
Anne became the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the Olympics when she participated in the equestrian three-day event. Riding her mother Queen Elizabeth II's horse, Goodwill, she completed the dressage and showjumping phases but fell during cross-country when her horse got stuck in mud at the 19th fence. Despite being praised for remounting and finishing the course, Anne told guests: "I had a slight problem in that the bit I would like to remember, which is the cross country, I don't. But every now and again I see it and think 'oh ok'. I suspect Goodwill remembers it, but I don't."
Reunion with Fellow Athletes
The event brought together Team GB athletes from the 1976 Games, many now in their 70s and 80s. Anne noted they looked "extremely well on it" and remarked that the reunion "does mark the passage of time just a little." She praised the "enjoyment, long-lasting friendship, and the ability to inspire others" that being an Olympian had brought them all, adding: "Thank you all for your contribution to Olympic history."
Behind the Scenes in Montreal
Former equestrian teammates Hugh Thomas and Jennie Loriston-Clarke recalled the close-knit team staying in chalets two hours outside Montreal. Not issued proper kit, they bought their own outfits and stuck Union flags on matching clothes. Team GB finished 24th in the event, with many riders and horses struggling on the challenging course.
Anne's Sporting Legacy
The Princess later joked about her fall: "Come on, be fair, I was put back on! The lights were on, but there was no one at home." At 25, she was watched by her mother Queen Elizabeth II, who opened the Games as Queen of Canada, along with Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. Her daughter Zara Phillips later won silver in the same event at London 2012. Anne's equestrian career also included gold at the 1971 European Championships and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
