For a typical Olympic games, we see royals from around the world attending to support their countries, and sometimes even competing. The international nature of the event creates an opportunity that we rarely see to get so many VIPs together in one place. While this summer the Tokyo Olympics will not be allowing spectators from outside of the country, I am feeling nostalgic from some of my favorite royal moments.

Three European monarchies rise above the rest when it comes to Olympic athletes, Princess Anne’s branch of the British royals, the Monaco royals and the Spanish royal family.

British Royals

It’s no secret that many members of the BRF are passionate about the equestrian scene, coming down from the Queen herself who has a stable of horses that regularly compete. While all of the royals ride, Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, is the one who has truly embraced it as a passion and career. She was the first ever member of the family to compete at the Olympics during the 1976 games in Montreal, in the three-day equestrian event. She didn’t medal, but it did earn her a huge amount of credibility and the position of president of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Princess Anne’s first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, took home the gold with the British equestrian team in 1972 in Munich, placing 35th individually, and won the silver in Seoul in 1988 . It’s no surprise that their daughter, Zara Phillips inherited her parent’s talent and made the British Olympic equestrian team, which were happily in London in 2012, so the family could watch her compete. She won a silver medal as a member of the eventing team, which her mother presented to her - one of my all time favorite royal moments!

Monaco

One relationship that I have always found fascinating is the marriage of Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco. The age difference, the politeness, Charlene now being in South Africa with some mysterious illness. The one thing about their relationship that has always made sense is their athleticism and shared Olympic past! Princess Charlene was an Olympic swimmer for South Africa, competing in the Women’s 4 100 meter medley event at the 2000 Olympics. Prince Albert was hilariously a member of the Monaco bobsled team (how is that even a thing???), and competed at FIVE different winter Olympics from 1988 to 2002 in both the two-man and four-man competitions. I also think they always seem to actually have fun with each other watching sports - not the most common occurence in their marriage…

Spain

The Spanish royal family is another one with multiple serious athletes. King Felipe competed on the sailing team in the 1992 games in Barcelona and was a the team’s flag bearer - what a great moment for the host country! His sister, Infanta Christina, also competed on the sailing team in 1988 and carried the flag, and met her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin (who is now in prison for tax fraud and money laundering) at the 1996 Atlanta games, as he was on the Spanish handball team at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics, taking home the bronze in 1996 and 2000.

Other Olympic Highlights

• King Harald of Norway in 1991 represented his country on the sailing team at 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics.

• The summer after William and Kate were married, London hosted the summer Olympics which gave us SO MANY photos of the royals from across Europe enjoying the games. Some of my favorite photos of the Cambridges are from them attending events and cheering! We also usually see a few royals from each country attend the games each year, no matter where they are!

• Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary met at the Sydney Olympics, at a bar called the Slip Inn. He was in Australia for the games and when they met, she had no idea who he was!