Royal Women at the Olympics

Women were first allowed to take part in the 1900 Paris Olympics Games, and since 1991 all new sports wanting to be included must include a women’s event. With the Paris Olympic Games 2024 about to begin, let’s take a look at some royal Olympians.

The Princess Royal

The Princess Royal was the first member of the British Royal Family to participate in the Olympic Games. She participated in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, riding one of her mother’s horses, Goodwill, in Eventing. She was injured with a concussion halfway through but managed to finish the event. The British team eventually pulled out of the competition.

Zara Tindall

It is perhaps no surprise that the daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips also became an Olympian. Although she is technically not a royal, as a member of the British team, she won a silver medal during the 2012 London Olympics. The medal was presented to her by her mother.

Medals: 1

Charlene, Princess of Monaco

The Princess of Monaco represented South Africa during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. She participated with her team in the 4×100 metre medley relay and finished fifth.

Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikha Maitha is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She was the first woman to represent the United Arab Emirates during the Olympics. She participated in taekwondo and was the flagbearer at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Princess Haya bint Hussein

Princess Haya of Jordan represented Jordan at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney in showjumping and was also the flagbearer.

Infanta Cristina of Spain

Infanta Cristina competed in sailing in the Tornado event at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. She was also the flagbearer for Spain. She finished in the 20th place.

Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg

The daughter of Princess Benedikte of Denmark won a bronze medal with the Danish dressage team during the 2008 Olympic Games. She also participated in the 2012 Olympics. However, as a Princess of a defunct principality, she is also technically not a royal.

Medals: 1

Queen Sofía of Spain

The future Queen of Spain was a reserve member, alongside her brother, the future King of Greece, of Greece’s gold medal-winning sailing team during the 1960 Olympics.