Prince William’s best moments with ‘Super Trooper’ Princess Anne: Pictures show the pair’s close bond, as she arrives in France for the Olympics after recovering from horse-related injury

She recently reaffirmed her reputation as the hardest working royal by swiftly resuming public duties after she received head injuries at her Gatcombe Park estate.

And when Princess Anne got back to business earlier this month  – less than three weeks after the horse-related accident – her nephew Prince William sent warm wishes her way.

He and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, wrote on X: ‘Super trooper! So great to see you back so soon! W & C x’.

Yesterday, Anne proved her ‘super trooper’ credentials by going to Paris for her first trip abroad since her injury.

She is in France for 12 days to undertake a busy programme of engagements related to the Olympics.

William and Kate’s personal message highlights the couple’s close relationship with the Princess, who spent five nights in hospital after reportedly being struck by a horse while out walking.

Prince William and Princess Anne are known to share a strong bond and are often seen together at royal engagements and family occasions.

Princess Anne and Prince William share a close bond. Above: The pair attend the Order Of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle on June 17, 2024

Prince William and Princess Anne are known to share a close bond, with the pair appearing alongside Kate on Mike Tindall ‘s podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, in an episode that aired last year

William and Kate also appeared alongside Anne on Mike Tindall‘s podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, which was filmed at Windsor Castle last year.

They reminisced and shared many laughs about fond memories.

Anne has always been close to her brother, King Charles, and her children – Peter and Zara – spent a lot of time with William and his brother Prince Harry when they were growing up.

Princess Anne was present at William’s baptism in August 1982. She even played a role in trying to stop him from crying.

The Mail reported: ‘Princess Anne tried a few clucking noises of her own to help out a slightly harassed and flushed Diana.

‘Anne knows only too well how difficult it is to keep a small baby happy while he is handed from person to person for photographs. Her son, Peter, screamed throughout his baptism.’

William has fond memories of visiting Balmoral during summer holidays, where Anne would challenge him to races around the castle grounds – and would never let him win.

William previously recalled her competitive spirit, describing her as ‘quite quick’ and noting that the ‘look that [she] had on [her] face was quite terrifying’.

Athleticism is a trait that both royals share – Anne made history as the first royal to compete in the Olympics.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to have a close relationship with Princess Anne. Above: The couple with Anne on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast marking the centenary of the Royal Air Force, July 10, 2018

William and Anne laugh as they take part in Mike Tindall’s podcast, The Good, The Bad and the Rugby at Windsor Castle, September 2023

Princess Anne and her nephew William attend The Order of the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral in 2016

The pair share a warming embrace at the service to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, held at the Guards Chapel in 2007

A young Prince William and his aunt Princess Anne attend the Royal Christmas Service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, in 1990

Princess Anne is frequently photographed alongside William at royal engagements, such as Trooping The Colour (pictured in 2017)

Prince William and Princess Anne attended the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony together in 2012. The pair appeared relaxed as they chatted in the royal box

Prince William and Princess Anne, attend the annual Trooping The Colour parade at the Mall in 2017

Prince William and Princess Anne enjoy a candid chat as they leave the Thistle Ceremony in Edinburgh in 2012

The duo, dressed in matching green velvet Mantle robes, later shared a joke in the car

William and Anne ride alongside each other during the Trooping the Colour parade at The Mall in 2022

Princess Anne and her nephew William attended a service to commemorate Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 50th wedding anniversary in 1997

Prince William chats to his Aunt as they arrive at the service for the Most Noble Order of the Garter held in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in June

During the episode of Mike Tindall’s podcast, which was released in conjunction with the Rugby World Cup in France, William discussed his early involvement in the sport.

Anne entertained royal fans by joining Kate in teasing William about rugby.

‘I played at school. I loved it,’ William said, before Kate playfully interrupted: ‘Did you? Did you?’

When asked by podcast co-host Alex Payne about his position, William, appearing slightly embarrassed, admitted: ‘I started on the wing…’

The group burst into laughter, with one co-host teasing Kate: ‘You said you weren’t competitive!’

Anne chimed in, saying: ‘That was just the question never mind the answer!’

William added that he was trying to be polite and would refrain from saying what he really wanted to about Kate.