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British Royals

Princess Anne presents Team GB’s first gold medals of the Paris 2024 Olympics

The Princess Royal has presented the first gold medals won by Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Princess Anne had a regal backdrop for the ceremony – it took place at Versailles, the most famous of French royal palaces.

Gold was won in the team eventing and the Princess, a former Olympic equestrian herself, was on hand to present Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Ros Canter with their medals.

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And there was another special moment soon afterwards. Princess Anne stood as God Save The King was heard at the Olympics for the first time since 1948.

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This is the first games to take place in the reign of Anne’s brother, Charles III. The last time the national anthem was God Save The King for an Olympics was in the reign of their grandfather, George VI.

Princess Anne has been in Paris for a week, her first overseas trip since an accident that left her in hospital for five days with minor head injuries and concussion. She is a member of the International Olympic Committee and attended its meeting ahead of the Games as well as spending time with Team GB ahead of the competition starting.

Team GB secured a second gold soon afterwards when Tom Pidcock produced an epic ride in the men’s mountain bike cross country to defend the Olympic title he first won in Tokyo in 2021.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.