Defiant Princess Anne, 69, dons gloves as she arrives at an equestrian centre in Buckingham


Business as usual! Defiant Princess Anne, 69, dons gloves as she arrives at an equestrian centre in Buckingham to carry on with her royal duties amid the coronavirus pandemic

  • Anne, 69, visited the Addington Equestrian Centre in Buckingham on Monday
  • Princess Royal will continue engagements despite the coronavirus outbreak
  • British Horse Society said additional measures are in place for the 300 visitors
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

The Princess Royal donned a pair of gloves as she arrived at the Addington Equestrian Centre in Buckingham today – despite growing concerns amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Anne, who turns 70 in August, was visiting in her role as vice patron of the British Horse Society and could be see watching a display of world-class coaching demonstrations from top coaches. 

The mother-of-two cut a casual figure in a pair of green trousers, black coat and a red scarf along with navy gloves – likely to be a precautionary measure due to the recent health epidemic. 

Her appearance comes following the news that the UK has diagnosed 171 more coronavirus cases taking the infection toll to 1,543 – as Wales announced its first death with 40 fatalities now recorded across Britain.  

The Princess Royal, who is vice-Patron of the equine charity, The British Horse Society, visited the Addington Equestrian Centre near Buckingham today – despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Anna, who looked in high spirits, could be seen donning a pair of navy gloves and clutching a bouquet of beautiful flowers

Anna, who looked in high spirits, could be seen donning a pair of navy gloves and clutching a bouquet of beautiful flowers

During her visit, Princess Anne also gave a speech about the importance of having qualified coaches within the equestrian industry.

It has been business as usual for the royal, who was also spotted at the four-day Cheltenham Festival on several occasions last week. 

Meanwhile, a planned trip to Cheshire by the Queen this week has already been postponed, as has the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s spring tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus and Jordan.

But an investiture is still due to take place at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

The Queen, who will be returning to Buckingham Palace on Monday after her usual weekend break at Windsor Castle, will still, at present, be carrying out audiences. 

The royal also opted for gloves as she attended the Gold Cup on the final day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival

The royal also opted for gloves as she attended the Gold Cup on the final day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival 

The Princess Royal has continued to go about her business as usual - despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Pictured, on day one of the Cheltenham Festival

The Princess Royal has continued to go about her business as usual – despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Pictured, on day one of the Cheltenham Festival

The British Horse Society said additional measures are in place to protect more than 300 visitors who will be gathering at the Addington Equestrian Centre.

‘We’re doing exactly what the Government has advised. We have additional hand sanitisers and we’re encouraging people to wash their hands,’ a BHS spokeswoman said. 

Anne will be meeting the BHS’s education team, greeting equine coaches including Olympic coach Yogi Breisner, watching a demonstration in the arena and giving a speech.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that people aged over 70 will be asked in the coming weeks to self-isolate for up to four months in order to protect them from the Covid-19 illness.

This would affect, among the senior royals, the monarch, who is 93, heir to the throne Charles, 71, and the 72-year-old Camilla.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘Events will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, acting on the appropriate advice.’