The announcement follows the historic ballot last September which saw 85 per cent of the Club's members break with more than two-and-a-half centuries of tradition and vote to admit women for the first time.

Up until the ballot, women had been allowed to play golf on the Old Course at St Andrews, on Scotland's East Coast, but female players were not permitted to drink or socialise in the clubhouse afterwards.

Joining The Princess Royal in accepting invitations are Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, England's Dame Laura Davies, the United States' Renée Powell and Louise Suggs, Scotland's Belle Robertson and France's Lally Segard.

The Princess Royal, who competed for Britain in equestrian at the 1976 Olympics and is a member of the International Olympic Committee, follows The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of York and The Duke of Kent in becoming an honorary member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

"It is an honour and a privilege for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club to welcome these remarkable women as honorary members," said George Macgregor, captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

"The Princess Royal enjoys a strong bond with Scotland and has shown great energy and commitment to developing sport through her work in the Olympic Movement.

"This is an historic day for the Club and we could not be more proud also to welcome women who have distinguished themselves in golf over many years and have been great players and champions.

"They are extremely worthy additions to our roll of honorary members and will become ambassadors for the Club as they have been for the sport of golf throughout their careers."

Former world number one Annika Sorenstam has also accepted an invitation from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews ©Getty Images





Former world number one Sorenstam won 10 Major Championships, including the US Open in 1995, 1996 and 2006, and a total of 89 events around the world.

Dame Davies is widely considered as Britain's greatest female golfer having won four Major Championships and 79 events during her illustrious career. 

After winning the 1986 British Open at Royal Birkdale in Southport, she went on to claim the 1987 US Open at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey, and the 1994 and 1996 Ladies Professional Golf Association  (LPGA) Championships at the DuPont Country Club in Delaware.

Powell, who played in more than 250 events, is well-known for becoming the first woman to be a head professional at a golf course in the United Kingdom, while fellow American Suggs, an 11-time Major Championship winner, is the co-founder and former President of the LPGA.

Robertson, winner of the British Ladies Amateur Championship in 1981 and the Scottish Ladies Close Amateur Championship on seven occasions, was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to golf in 1973.

Segard is widely acknowledged as one of France's greatest golfers, winning the British Girls' Championship in 1937 and, under her other name of Vicomtesse de Saint-Sauveur, 14 international titles including the British Ladies' Amateur in 1950.

As well as the honorary members, a number of women have been admitted as members of the Club with more set to follow in the coming months.

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September 2014: Royal and Ancient Golf Club votes to allow women members in historic ballot