She recently reaffirmed her reputation as the hardest-working royal by quickly resuming public duties after sustaining head injuries at her Gatcombe Park estate.
And when Princess Anne returned to work earlier this month, less than three weeks after the horse-related accident, her nephew, Prince William, sent her warm wishes.
He and Catherine, Princess of Wales, wrote on X: “Super soldier! So good to see you again so soon! W & C x.”
Yesterday, Anne proved her “super soldier” credentials by travelling to Paris on her first trip abroad since her injury.
He is in France for 12 days to fulfil a busy schedule of commitments related to the Olympic Games.
William and Kate’s personal message highlights the couple’s close relationship with the Princess, who spent five nights in hospital after being hit by a horse while out walking.
Prince William and Princess Anne are known to share a strong bond and are often seen together at royal engagements and family occasions.
Princess Anne and Prince William share a close bond. Above: The couple attend the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle on June 17, 2024
Prince William and Princess Anne are known to share a close bond, with the pair appearing alongside Kate on Mike Tindall’s podcast The Good, The Bad and The Rugby in an episode that aired last year.
William and Kate also appeared alongside Anne on Mike Tindall’s podcast The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, which was filmed at Windsor Castle last year.
They reminisced and shared many laughs about good memories.
Anne has always been close to her brother, King Charles, and her children, Peter and Zara, spent a lot of time with William and his brother, Prince Harry, when they were growing up.
Princess Anne was present at William’s christening in August 1982. She even played a part in trying to stop him from crying.
The Mail reported: ‘Princess Anne attempted to make some noises of her own to help a slightly distressed and blushing Diana.
‘Anne knows only too well how difficult it is to keep a baby happy while being passed around for photos. Her son, Peter, screamed throughout his christening.’
William has fond memories of visiting Balmoral during the summer holidays, where Anne would challenge him to races around the castle grounds… and never let him win.
William previously recalled her competitive spirit, describing her as “quite fast” and noting that The look on his face was quite terrifying.
Athletics is a trait both royals share: Anne made history as the first royal to compete at the Olympics.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to have a close relationship with Princess Anne. Above: The couple with Anne on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a Royal Air Force centenary flypast, July 10, 2018
William and Anne share a laugh as they take part in Mike Tindall’s podcast, The Good, The Bad and the Rugby at Windsor Castle, September 2023
Princess Anne and her nephew William attend the Order of the Thistle Service at St Giles Cathedral in 2016
The couple share a warm embrace at the service to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, held at the Guards Chapel in 2007.
Young Prince William and his aunt Princess Anne attend the Royal Christmas Service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, in 1990.
Princess Anne is frequently photographed alongside William at royal events, such as Trooping The Colour (pictured in 2017).
Prince William and Princess Anne attended the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games together. The couple looked relaxed as they chatted in the royal box.
Prince William and Princess Anne attend the annual Trooping The Colour parade on The Mall in 2017
Prince William and Princess Anne enjoy a heart-to-heart as they leave the thistle ceremony in Edinburgh in 2012
The duo, dressed in matching green velvet robes, then shared a joke in the car.
William and Anne ride together during the Trooping the Colour parade on The Mall in 2022
Princess Anne and her nephew William attended a service to mark Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 50th wedding anniversary in 1997.
Prince William chats with his aunt as they arrive for the Most Noble Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in June.
During the Mike Tindall podcast episode, which launched alongside the Rugby World Cup in France, William spoke about his early involvement in the sport.
Anne entertained royal fans by joining Kate in teasing William about rugby.
“I played at school. I loved it,” William said, before Kate playfully interrupted: “Did you? Did you?”
When asked by podcast co-host Alex Payne about his position, William, looking a little embarrassed, admitted: “I started in the band…”
The group burst into laughter and one of the hosts teased Kate: “You said you weren’t competitive!”
Anne intervened and said, ‘That was just the question, never mind the answer!’
William added that he was trying to be polite and would refrain from saying what he really wanted to say about Kate.
