Princess Anne to miss Beijing Winter Olympics

Princess Anne will miss out on the Beijing Winter Olympics due to "travel restriction difficulties", an official palace statement says.

The Princess Royal, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee, and even competed in the games in 1976, is reportedly "disappointed" she won't be able to attend or sit in on committee meetings in the lead-up.

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In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "The Princess Royal is disappointed she will not be able to attend the IOC [International Olympic Committee] meetings in Beijing ahead of the winter Olympics this year, nor the Games themselves. 

"This is due to the flight and COVID travel restriction difficulties in getting to and from the Games without losing too much of her busy work schedule at home.  

"Her Royal Highness sends her best wishes for the Games to the British athletes and supporting officials."

Princess Anne was the first royal to compete in the Games, entering the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Yet, The Telegraph notes that the Princess Royal's inability to attend the games in the Chinese capital happens to fall in line with calls by Prime Minister Boris Johnson of a "diplomatic boycott" of the event.

In December, Johnson said the UK would not hesitate in boycotting the upcoming event, to make a stand against China's recent human rights violations.

"There will be effectively a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. No ministers are expected to attend and no officials," he told the House of Commons at the time.

This action followed the lead of the US and has also been taken in Australia, with all countries taking issue with Beijing's treatment of the Uighur Muslim community in Xinjiang province.

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In his announcement of the boycott, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the act was in Australia's "national interest" and the "right thing to do".

Athletes are encouraged to compete and express their personal opinions while at the games.

In response to Australia's diplomatic boycott, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said Australia was "blindly following" the US, saying: "Whether they come or not, nobody cares."

The Chinese government has continually denied any wrongdoing in Xinjiang and says allegations of human rights violations are fabricated.