Royal Family's 'hardest worker' takes on yet another duty after refusing to retire

Princess Anne has been named patron of The Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation which provides support to injured players in the grassroots game in Scotland

Princess Anne has just been named the patron of a Scottish Rugby charity, adding to the her already packed workload. The Princess Royal has long been known as the family’s hardest working member and she has no intention of slowing down.

At 74 years old, the Princess Royal is now the figurehead of The Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation (MIPF), which extends support to injured grassroots players across Scotland. The rugby charity, founded in 1973, helps amateurs who face difficulties after being injured on the field.

MIPF chair Ian Rankin has warmly welcomed her, stating: “The Princess Royal has been a dedicated supporter of the Scotland rugby team through umpteen swings of fortune since the 1980s, performing the official opening of Murrayfield’s East Stand in 1983 and becoming the SRU’s Patron in 1986.

“Her passion for sport, her commitment to the game at all levels, is well documented and we are honoured to have her join us as our Patron.”

Princess Anne is now patron of the charity (
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(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images))

In the past year alone, the charity has backed 18 men’s players and eight women’s players with their rugby-related health issues, reports the Express.

This appointment comes hot on the heels of Anne disregarding any notion of retirement. Often hailed as the most industrious Royal due to her extensive number of engagements each year, she quashed retirement talks during a PA interview post her South African Royal tour.

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (
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AFP via Getty Images)
When prompted about considering retirement, the King’s sister declared: “It isn’t really an option.” She added: “It really isn’t written in, no. It isn’t really an option, no, I don’t think so.

“You’re jolly lucky… if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis and last summer I was very close to not being. Take each day as it comes, they say.”