The Princess Royal shared her very honest thoughts on gender equality in sport as she conducted an investiture at Windsor Castle.
Anne, who turns 75 next month, awarded Dr Anita White, founder of the Women in Sport charity, the International Working Group on Women and Sport, and the Anita White Foundation, with her CBE on Tuesday.
Describing her discussion with the Princess, Dr White told the PA news agency: “We spoke about how sport had changed, how it used to be a lot of old grey men running sport and how gradually it is changing.”
Anne, who had a successful equestrian career in her younger years, asked what sports the former captain of the England field hockey team had played.
© Getty ImagesDr White said: “I was captain of the England team and we won the World Cup in 1975 and we didn’t get much recognition at the time – that made me aware of the kind of gender divide that there was, and I’ve been campaigning for women in sports ever since.”
The “huge change” she has witnessed in her career has been “at the top level”.
She referenced the attention garnered by the Lionesses squad, as well as the number of female sports presenters and women in leadership roles.
Anne’s equestrian career
Princess Anne, who is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union and is a member of the International Olympic Committee, became the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympics, participating in the 1976 Games in Montreal.
In her equestrian career, the Princess Royal won one gold medal in 1971 and two silver medals in 1975 at the European Eventing Championships.
© GettyHer daughter, Zara Tindall, has followed in her footsteps and won a silver medal with Team GB’s team eventing squad at the London 2012 Olympics.
© GettyAnne also appeared emotional as she witnessed Zara win the Eventing World Championship in Aachen in 2006.
‘Annoyed’ with Prince William
The Princess Royal’s appearance at Windsor Castle comes just days after The Sunday Times said that Anne is reportedly “annoyed” that her nephew Prince William has not taken on more investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle, despite living nearby at Adelaide Cottage.
In comparison, Anne predominantly resides at Gatcombe Park in the Gloucestershire countryside.
© Getty ImagesThe princess carries out hundreds of engagements a year and regularly tops the hardest working royal list.
However despite the alleged irritation, Anne is said to be fond of William and remains supportive of his future as King. Friends suggest she admires his commitment to modernising the monarchy.