Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, couldn’t have been more in sync as they stepped out at the Winter Olympics 2026 opening ceremony in Milan.
Wearing matching scarves as they waved to crowds from their box inside San Siro stadium, the royal couple enjoyed quite the show. The American Grammy-winning singer Mariah Carey performed a rendition of one of Italy’s most famous songs, singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno’s Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu, popularly known as Volare.
Cosied up in warm coats, the Princess Royal and her husband also enjoyed performances from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Chinese pianist Lang Lang.
Ahead of the opening ceremony, Anne, 75, and her husband, 70, got acquainted with the fellow A-listers attending the proceedings when she was the guest of honour at a reception celebrating UK excellence at the British Consulate General.
“A huge honour to meet Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal today at a gorgeous reception celebrating UK Excellence in Italy and the start of the Winter Olympics here in Milan,” the fashion designer wrote on Instagram.
Anne’s history at the games
The Olympics have a special place in Anne’s heart. Not only does she currently serve on the International Olympic Committee, but she also became the first member of the British royal family to join Team GB at the 1976 Games in Montreal.
At the three-day equestrian event, she rode her mother, Queen Elizabeth’s horse Goodwill.
Her love of the sport and the games was something she kept within her family, marrying fellow Olympic equestrian, Captain Mark Phillips – who won gold in 1972 and silver in 1988 – and their daughter, Zara Tindall, famously won silver in London 2012.
A message for Team GB
Ahead of the games, Anne had a special message for Team GB, sharing a video message on the official social media channels for the British royal family.
She said in the clip: “Congratulations on your selection to represent Team GB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
“I hope you will have a memorable experience that will bring you not only lasting memories but also friendships and bonds that will endure throughout your life. To get this far is a remarkable achievement. It represents not only your talents on the field of play but also the countless hours of practice requiring dedication and determination that have got you to this point. Such commitment is itself worthy of recognition, and it has earned you the right to stand proudly among the finest athletes in the world.”
She concluded, “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.”
