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Royal sporting triumphs

Leo Hickman— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Britain's kings and queens have occasionally done rather well in their chosen sport.

THE ONCE popular game of real tennis will be forever associated with Henry VIII. He is said to have been playing the game — basically, tennis played on a squash court of sorts — when his second wife Anne Boleyn was arrested, as well as when she was executed. The phrase "sport of kings," used to describe horse racing, is thought to date back to 1605 when James I noted that his flat heathland provided perfect conditions for racing horses. But it was his grandson, Charles II, who established the first royal stud, thereby beginning an association with the sport that stretches up to the present day.

Most modern sports were born during the Victorian era, during which the royals seem to have concentrated on hunting and fishing, which even the most generous would be hard-pressed to list as "sports." (In the 20th century, George V became one of the country's premier shots.)

The current harvest of royals have all had their sporting moments. The Duke of Edinburgh, now in his 80s, has been an accomplished competitor at four-in-hand carriage driving (not a sport to claim a wide fan base). Prince Charles famously met Camilla at a polo match in 1973; his future wife Diana also displayed a strong sporting instinct, memorably breaking the tape with gusto at a Ludgrove Prep School parents' day race in 1987.

Their sons, William and Harry, have continued their father's association with polo; meanwhile Prince Andrew is a keen golfer: he plays off five and has been captain of the Royal and Ancient. But it is Prince Edward who will be forever celebrated for his flirt with sporting greatness, leading a galaxy of stars (Paul Daniels, Chris De Burgh, Su Pollard etc) into the gladiatorial bearpit known as "It's a Royal Knockout." Sadly, the final score seems to have been lost amid the hilarity. But Edward more than amply proved that it is the taking part that counts.

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