Royal women from all over Europe who share a love for sports

• From Olympic athletes to eager royals, these women can’t say no to a challenge

For all their many differences, Europe’s royal families certainly seem to share a love of sports – outdoor ones in particular.

The Princess of Wales is well-known for her athleticism – but both Princess Charlene of Monaco and Zara Tindall went further by actually competing in the Olympic Games. 

Here, MailOnline takes a look at Europe’s sportiest royal women who just can’t help getting stuck into the action, whether it’s running marathons or swimming in murky canals…

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

Princess Mary of Denmark showed her athletic prowess in the recent Royal Run in Nyborg alongside husband Crown Prince Frederik and their children.

Looking the part in her athletic ensemble, Mary, 51, stormed ahead of other participants during the one-mile run in central Denmark. 

The now-annual event started in 2018, with what was meant to be a one-off sporting challenge to celebrate Prince Frederick’s 50th birthday. 

However, it proved to be such a hit with the public that the Royal Run has now been held for the past five years, attracting some 70,000 runners annually.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales

Kate, the Princess of Wales, has always been known for her athleticism and can-do attitude when getting involved with royal engagements. 

Both Kate and William have also previously said their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are also showing an interest in sport and emphasise importance of spending time outdoors and being active from childhood.

From her days on the St Andrew’s school field hockey team to expertly racing boats with Prince William, the mother-of-three makes any sport look effortless.

Princess Charlene of Monaco

Before becoming a royal, Princess Charlene of Monaco was an Olympic and World Champion swimmer for her home country, South Africa.

She developed a passion for swimming early in life, and in 1996, won her first South African Championship at the age of 18.

In 2000, she qualified for the Olympic Games as a member of the South Africa 4x100m medley relay team, which placed fifth.

While the Princess is now preoccupied with her royal duties, she still has a continued interest in swimming and is now a Special Olympics Global Ambassador.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh 

Back in 2016, the Duchess of Edinburgh and her team completed a 450-mile cycling challenge from Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace in recognition of the 60th anniversary of Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Before her bike ride, the royal said her only prior experience of cycling had been with her children and ‘never for more than the odd hour’. 

Sophie spent around eight hours a day cycling, with up to five hours on the saddle – Prince Philip even said he thought she was ‘slightly mad’ for partaking in the challenge.

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium participated in the Warmathon run as part of the ‘Warmest Week’ solidarity, a charity fundraiser, in December last year. 

Not even breaking a sweat, the heir to the Belgian throne was dressed in an all-black outfit as she ran alongside her younger brother, Prince Emmanuel.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium 

Showing the perfect example for her children, Queen Mathilde of Belgium is often seen participating in local marathons and always has a smile on her face when doing so. 

On Sunday, the Queen and her youngest son were among the thousands taking part in the 20 km de Brussels running event. 

The royal also took part in the race last year for the 41st edition of the event, which has been held each year in Brussels since 1980 and Mathilde was seen chatting with fellow racegoers as she made her way around the city.

Princess Diana 

Princess Diana was never one to back down from a challenge, and she was the ultimate competitive mum when she attended Prince Harry’s sports day in 1991.

Not wanting her son to miss out, Diana threw off her shoes  to take part in the school’s Mothers’ Race and gave it her all as she sprinted off the starting block.

But this was not the the first time the Princess had participated in the Mothers’ Race, having competed previously at William’s sports days in 1989 and 1990.

Not only was Diana a skilled runner, but she was also an enthusiastic swimmer and diver – and was even a star competitor at her school. After marrying Prince Charles, Diana regularly used the pool at Buckingham Palace. 

Diana was so devoted to her fitness routine, she hated to miss her daily 7am swim.

Zara Phillips  

During her school years, Zara excelled at sport, particularly hockey, athletics and gymnastics. With a keen interest in fitness, Zara qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of Exeter.

Much like her mother, Princess Anne, Zara Tindall is an accomplished equestrian – and even won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics as part of Great Britain’s Eventing team.

Off the back of her commendable sporting success, in 2020, the mother-of-three became a director at Cheltenham racecourse.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands 

Back in 2012, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands showed how she is always keen to get stuck into her royal duties and took part in the Amsterdam City Swim. 

Dressed in a wetsuit and goggles, Maxima swam through the ancient, murky canals.

Cheered on by thousands in the crowd, along with her husband King Willem-Alexander and their three daughters, Maxima powered her way through the 2km course in just under an hour.

Princess Beatrice 

In 2010, Princess Beatrice became the first royal ever to complete the London Marathon in honour of the Children in Crisis charity.

The determined royal also set the record for the largest number of runners to finish the 42km marathon tied together.

But Beatrice didn’t stop there, she then pushed herself even further and became the first member of the Royal family to compete in a triathlon after completing the Lady Garden race in London’s Hyde Park.

Not only does Beatrice run, but in 2021 she also climbed more than 6,000m in altitude by bike and foot and swam 3km and cycled 110km to raise money for charity.