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The Princess Royal recalled the occasion in an interview with Michael Parkinson in 1980 alongside her then-husband Mark Philips. She said: “I remember when I met my headmistress for the first time. “She was a very nice woman, but she was a rather strict-looking lady, and we were having lunch ‒ my parents, the headmistress and me.”

The headmistress apparently told her: “We do not encourage hypomaniacs.”

Immediately, Philip turned to Anne and said: “That does not mean you’re mad on hippos!”

Despite how it sounds, this word of course has nothing to do with hippopotamuses.

Hypomania is a mood state characterised by persistent disinhibition and mood elevation, but not so extreme as those with mania.

However, people with hypomania usually display behaviour that is noticeably different from the person’s typical behaviour when in a non-depressed state.

It is a state of mind that perhaps does not lend itself to fitting it at a strict boarding school in the Sixties, which was when Anne attended school.

Anne first enrolled at Benenden School in 1963 and left 1968 with six GCE O-levels and two A-levels.

She was prompted to recall the Duke of Edinburgh’s quick one-liner when she and her husband Mark were asked by Parkinson whether they were “horse-mad”.

The legendary TV host asked: “Of course, you are portrayed in the popular image as being horse-mad and this is supposed to be the common thing that brought you together. Would this be true?”

Mark said: “I don’t quite think of myself as being horse-mad. I mean, horses have been my hobby for most of my life.”

Anne added that she also did not consider herself to be horse-mad and then recanted the ‘hypomania’ tale.

Despite what both royals say, they have dedicated a lot of time and energy into horse-related activities over the years.

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They learned to ride at a young age and were both competitive riders in three day eventing.

Anne herself became the European Eventing Champion in 1971 and won herself Sports Personality of the Year Award based on it, while Mark was an Olympic gold medal winner for the sport in 1972.

They even met at a party for equestrians and horse-enthusiasts and during the early stages of their relationship, they would hide in a horse box to avoid the media.

Later in life, Mark started a business selling horse jumping equipment around the world and the couple also passed on their passion to their daughter Zara.

Zara went on to be the World Eventing Champion 2006 and was also Sports Personality of the Year.

While they may not describe themselves as horse-mad, others may fairly describe them as such.

The Duke of Edinburgh once said of his daughter: “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she’s not interested.”

Meanwhile, Mark said their shared love of riding means they can help each other out with horse-related issues.

He said: “Over the years, it’s been a great help in training and things at home.

“If I’d had a problem with a horse, being able to turn to Princess Anne and ask her to get on and see what she feels and make any suggestions to try and improve it has been a great help.”

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