Princess Anne was reportedly left “surprised” today when she found out a successful sportswoman had to campaign to wear shorts while playing hockey. During an Investiture ceremony on Wednesday, The Princess Royal, 74, made Commonwealth Games-winning hockey player Tess Howard an MBE.

Ms Howard, who was part of England women’s 2022 gold medal squad, was made an MBE for her services to inclusive sportswear for women and girls, which she said is a “ridiculous” campaign. The GB athlete founded Inclusive Sportswear in 2023 to “champion rigorous inclusivity, dismantle participation barriers, and inspire belonging for every body in sport”. After being made an MBE on Wednesday at Windsor Castle, Ms Howard- who plays for East Grinstead Hockey Club in West Sussex - said she felt “very honoured” by the award.

She said: “If I had an organisation like Inclusive Sportswear I wouldn’t have had to campaign for years to wear shorts in hockey, which is bizarre.

“The Princess Royal was surprised that I had to campaign to wear shorts. It’s silly when you say it out loud.

“It’s quite ridiculous that I’ve been given an award essentially for campaigning to wear shorts.”

Despite the fact the International Hockey Federation amended its rules in 2023 to give female teams the choice between wearing skirts, skorts and shorts, providing they are the same colour and design, Ms Howard told PA she feels her organisation’s work has just begun.

Princess Anne was all smiles as she did the Investiture Ceremony today at Windsor Castle.

Other people to be honoured included Simon Macqueen, Director of Strategy for Sport England, and Dr. Linley Hamilton.

Mr Macqueen was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Princess Royal for his services to sport today, while Dr. Hamilton was recognised for services to the music industry in Northern Ireland.