One of the hardest working members of the Royal Family, Princess Anne is a no-nonsense kind of woman, who relishes being kept busy. She’s had a varied life, much of it under the radar as younger Royals take the spotlight. Here are some facts about her…
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- Anne is much like her father, Prince Philip – direct. When asked how she felt about the birth of her great-nephew Prince George in 2013, the Princess replied ‘Well it’s nothing to do with me,’ and continued with her engagement…!
- The Princess Royal, knowing her position in the line of succession would be moved down considerably as her brothers had children, turned down titles for her own children, Peter and Zara. She didn’t want a title to affect their lives nor for them to be burdened with royal duties.
- Anne was born at Clarence House in 1950, 18 months before her mother took the throne.
4. In 1994, The Queen appointed her daughter to the Order of the Garter. However, Anne insisted she be installed as Royal Knight of the order, and not a Lady.
5. By marrying Sir Tim Lawrence in 1995, she became the first royal divorcée to remarry since Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, Princess Victoria, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine, in 1905.
6. In 1974, there was a kidnap attempt on Princess Anne. When asked to leave her car by the assailant, she said ‘Not bloody likely!’ You can see her talking about the event to Parkinson in the article above.
7. The Princess has her own personal standard in Canada, featuring the maple leaves of the country and an ‘A’ at the centre.
8. When it comes to Scotland, Anne is the unofficial supporter of the country in the Royal Family. Anne sent her children to school at Gordonstoun in the Highlands, where Peter played rugby for the Scottish U18s. She is patron of the Scottish RFU, and (partially down to her faith and the differing rules of the Church of Scotland) she and daughter Zara, chose to marry north of the border, at Crathie Kirk and Canongate Kirk respectively. Anne even honeymooned in the Highlands. This close connection may have something to do with the Queen Mother’s Bowes-Lyon heritage of Glamis Castle, for which the Princess seems to have an affection.
The Princess Royal attended today’s #StateOpening of Parliament as the Gold Stick in Waiting. Anne carried out the same role for The King’s Coronation.
The role is a purely ceremonial one these days, but in centuries past Gold Stick was a bodyguard of The Monarchs. pic.twitter.com/Evs8Zejsxb
— The Crown Chronicles (@crownchronicles) November 7, 2023
9. Princess Anne has a criminal record: she received a £400 fine for speeding in 2001, and a £500 fine in 2002, after her dog Dotty attacked two children in Windsor Great Park.
10. While Prince Edward had something of a career in TV production, Anne appeared as a contestant on A Question of Sport in 1987, as a successful equestrienne.
11. The Princess serves as the Gold Stick in waiting, at state events such as Charles’ Coronation and numerous State Opening of Parliament. The role dates back to the 15th century, where two rods (one gold and one silver), would be placed by the Monarch to protect them from danger. These roles are jointly held by the Colonels of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.
12. Her first public engagement was in 1969 when, aged 18, Her Royal Highness opened an educational and training centre in Shropshire.
13. Rather than choosing a grand celebration for her 75th birthday, The Princess Royal marked the occasion earlier this year in a way that reflects her lifelong dedication to service – by holding a Charities Forum at Buckingham Palace for her charities, where she welcomed nearly 200 representatives from more than 100 of the 300 organisations she supports to the Palace.
14. Anne guest-edited Country Life to mark her 70th birthday in 2020, where she paid tribute to her parents for instilling a lifelong love of Nature and urged everyone all to be more careful about waste and energy in the hope of securing a brighter future for the countryside. Read the piece here.
15. Princess Anne competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as a member of the British Equestrian team. She was the first member of The British Royal Family to compete in an Olympic Games.
16. Princess Anne is officially the seventh Princess Royal in the British Monarchy, having held the title since June 1987. It is a title traditionally carried by the monarch’s oldest daughter and held for life.
17. Princess Anne’s wedding to Captain Mark Phillips was on the 25th birthday of her older brother. Princess Anne signed the marriage register at Westminster Abbey using the surname of Mountbatten-Windsor. This was the first time where the Mountbatten-Windsor name had appeared on an official document.
18. The wedding tiara that Anne opted to wear, Queen Mary’s Fringe tiara, on her wedding day to Mark Phillips, was also worn by her mother, Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day, and Princess Beatrice at her private nuptials in 2020.
19. Aged 4, Princess Anne’s first overseas visit, was to Malta in April 1954. She and her older brother sailed on the Royal Yacht Britannia to meet their parents on the Commonwealth Tour.
20. In the depths of the Gloucestershire countryside, Gatcombe Park is Anne’s private home.
hi my name is Becky and i like this ARTICLE it is helpful but do ye people have more facts