Princess Anne supported by Mike Tindall as she opens up home following ‘years’ of ‘great sadness’
Mike has been Anne's son-in-law since 2011
Princess Anne is looking forward from several years of difficulties at her beloved home and leaning on her son-in-law Mike Tindall.
The Princess Royal is preparing to open her beloved Gatcombe Park, in Gloucestershire, to the public for a rare event.
Princess Anne’s sprawling estate is set to host the Gatcombe Food Festival on July 26 and 27.
Meanwhile, Mike has orchestrated a unique gesture to support Anne’s special occasion.
Princess Anne supported by son-in-law Mike Tindall
The event will see a slew of TV chefs hosting workshops and live cookery shows. Celebrity names include The Great British Bake Off star Howard Middleton and Ready Steady Cook star Lesley Waters.
The VIP area has already been booked out.
Those with the golden tickets get a very special gesture from Mike Tindall upon their arrival.
Anne’s son-in-law and his fellow podcast co-host and former rugby teammate, James Haskall, have designed a special welcome tipple for VIP guests.
The cocktail even uses gin from their own brand.
For those curious about the event, stalls cost a minimum of £200 for a vendor to hire, whilst tickets to the event cost £21.60 for an adult.
Anne’s stunning grounds are famous for hosting the Festival of British Eventing, but in recent years, it has been unable to run.
Princess Anne’s famous event called off
The Festival of British Eventing website detailed last year why the event would be unable to go ahead.
An explainer on the site stated: “It is with great sadness that we announce the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park will not take place this year.
“Despite great determination from the organising team, the current economic climate has made it unviable for the event to go ahead. Following the adverse weather experienced at Gatcombe last year, which led to the abandonment of the event, and due to the ever-increasing costs associated with operating on a green field site, it has made the event unfeasible to run.”
Event Chairman and ex-husband of Anne, Captain Mark Phillips, said at the time: “It’s truly a great sadness that the original model and indeed the sport has changed so much. Since Covid, costs, particularly insurance, have risen so much that the numbers no longer add up. It is an end of an era, the next 40 years of the sport will be different. Let’s hope it can be equally special.”
The ‘delicate balance’ at Gatcombe Park
It seems the use of Gatcombe Park depends on a delicate balance.
During an interview with The Telegraph, Anne explained why the need for a “delicate balance” is largely due to the plants on her estate.
“My biggest row at home is ragwort,” she stated. “Lots of people think that ragwort is absolutely brilliant because butterflies love it, but it’s not good for the horses [it is toxic]. I would say don’t take all the ragwort out, just where the horses are – but it’s quite a delicate balance.”
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So, what do you think? Are you a fan of Mike’s gesture? Are you hoping to attend? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page.
