Canadian freestyle skier Megan Oldham has publicly expressed her delight following a brief but memorable interaction with Princess Anne at the Winter Olympics. The 24-year-old athlete, who secured a bronze medal in the Women's Slopestyle Final, was presented with her honour by the Royal, sparking a conversation that highlighted Anne's down-to-earth demeanor.
A Moment of Royal Encouragement
In an interview with CBC Olympics journalist Ariel Helwani, Oldham enthusiastically recounted the encounter. She described Princess Anne as "so sweet," noting that the Royal offered congratulations and inquired about her upcoming events. "She was like, 'Are you competing again?' I was like, 'Yeah, I'm competing in Big Air.' So she just wished luck, which was really nice," Oldham shared. Helwani responded by calling it "a little chit chat with the Princess," underscoring the casual yet meaningful nature of the exchange.
Princess Anne's Deep Ties to Canada and the Olympics
Princess Anne's connection to Canada is well-established, with the 75-year-old holding ceremonial roles in numerous regiments of the Canadian Armed Forces. Beyond this, her involvement in the Olympics runs deep. As a member of the International Olympic Committee, she handed out several medals at the Milano Cortina Games. Her own Olympic history is notable; fifty years ago, she became the first member of the British royal family to participate in the Olympics, competing for Great Britain's equestrian team at the 1976 Summer Games.
Continuing the Royal Olympic Legacy
The royal presence at the Olympics has been maintained across generations. Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, secured a silver medal at the 2012 Games in London, further cementing the family's athletic ties. Following her duties in Milan, Princess Anne traveled to Edinburgh, where she witnessed Scotland's 31-20 victory over England in the Six Nations clash. During the event, an awkward moment occurred when Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu attempted to embrace her; Anne moved back but placed a hand on his shoulder before presenting the Calcutta Cup.
Tuipulotu later expressed pride in the win, telling BBC Sport, "I'm extremely proud. To go through what we went through last week really hurt... We really felt like our backs were against the wall and we showed up today." This incident, though slightly uncomfortable, did not overshadow the joy of the victory or the respect shown to Princess Anne.
