Royal highlights positive change following private meeting at Windsor Castle
Princess Anne, long admired for her steadfast dedication to the monarchy and her tireless work ethic, recently took center stage at Windsor Castle to honor a key figure in women's sport and reflect on the ongoing shift toward greater equality in athletics.
The Princess Royal—known for her unwavering support of her brother, King Charles—presented Dr Anita White with a CBE during an Investiture ceremony on Tuesday. Dr White is celebrated as a pioneer in the promotion of women in sports, having founded the Women in Sport charity, the International Working Group on Women and Sport, and the Anita White Foundation.
Following the honor, Anne and Dr White engaged in a private conversation about the transformation of the sporting world. Dr White shared that they discussed the evolution of leadership in sport, noting, “It used to be a lot of old gray men running sport, and how gradually it is changing.”
Reflecting on her own experience as a World Cup-winning captain of the England women's team in 1975, Dr White remarked on the lack of recognition at the time and how it shaped her lifelong commitment to challenging gender inequality in sport. “The huge change I've seen has been at the top level,” she added.
Princess Anne herself is no stranger to breaking boundaries. A skilled equestrian, she made history in 1976 by becoming the first British royal to compete in the Olympics. Today, she continues her advocacy as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union and a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Throughout both Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the new chapter under King Charles, Anne has remained a pillar of consistency and progress, using her platform to champion causes close to her heart—including the empowerment of women in sport.
