Anne watches world’s oldest riding school dazzle on UK tour

The Princess Royal attended a performance by the world’s oldest riding academy in London as it tours the UK for the first time in almost a decade.

Anne was treated to perfectly synchronised routines set to classical Viennese music by eight riders and up to 26 horses from the Spanish Riding School on Friday evening.

The princess, watching the tour’s opening night at OVO Arena Wembley from the royal box, joined model Lady Victoria Hervey, influencer Chuggs Wallis and thousands of fans at the show.

Anne has supported the academy for decades and visited its training base several times.

During a visit in 1969, Anne rode the Lipizzaner horses alongside her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Radio and TV presenter Nicki Chapman, who hosted the show, said: “Hosting the opening night of the prestigious Spanish Riding School tour, with The Princess Royal in attendance, was an absolute honour.

“It’s been eight years since the Lipizzaner horses and their incredibly talented riders last visited the UK, and sharing the magic with both the Princess Royal and the British public made the evening all the more unforgettable.”

Anne is a known horse enthusiast, having competed for Great Britain in the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.

She spent five nights in hospital and suffered concussion and mild head injuries after being struck by a horse while out walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in June, but returned to public duties by presenting awards at an equine competition three weeks later.