British Royal Makes Olympic Team

Princess Anne has long been the only British royal to have competed in the Olympic Games but daughter Zara Phillips is about to join the ranks. Phillips, the queen's granddaughter, has been selected as one of five members of Britain's equestrian team at this year's London Games, reports the New York Times. The 31-year-old also made the 2008 Beijing Olympic team, but had to sit it out after her horse, Toytown, was injured.

"It’s awesome to be given this opportunity," says Phillips, who is now riding an 11-year-old gelding named High Kingdom. "I’m really excited and can’t wait to kick on and get him there," she says. "Hopefully we will make it this time." Princess Anne competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics but went home without a medal. If her daughter makes it to the podium in London, she will be the first royal to win an Olympic medal since Greek king-to-be Constantine II, a relative of her grandfather's, won a gold medal in sailing at the 1960 Rome Olympics. (More Zara Phillips stories.)