Rather than choosing a grand celebration for her 75th birthday, The Princess Royal marked the occasion in a way that reflects her lifelong dedication to service – by holding a Charities Forum at Buckingham Palace for her charities.
On Thursday, Anne welcomed nearly 200 representatives from more than 100 of the 300 organisations she supports.
Colonel John Boyd, Her Royal Highness’ Private Secretary, told guests in the Palace ballroom: ‘It probably won’t come as a surprise, given HRH’s commitment to you all, that the way the Princess wants to celebrate this milestone is to replicate what she’s done on previous significant birthdays and hold this charities forum again’.
A Palace source further revealed that The Princess didn’t want any fuss for her upcoming birthday but wanted to bring ‘her charities together to hear more about their work and how she can help them’.
The Princess took to the podium after three speakers opened the discussions: Sarah Woolnough, CEO of The King’s Fund, addressed the erosion of public trust in the charity sector; David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, highlighted increasing financial pressures; and Zoe Amar, founder of Zoe Amar Digital, spoke to the opportunities and ethical challenges posed by new technologies.
In her address, Anne told guests: “I’m not here because this was my choice. You very kindly asked me to become patron of your organisations, so it’s an honour for me to have all of you here.”
She added: “I would just like to make the point that we’re very fortunate that His Majesty has allowed us to use Buckingham Palace for this event,” giving them a wry smile, before adding, to laughter: “And I need to say that.”
Anne concluded her speech by emphasising that ‘the responsibility and respect that you give to your own organisations, the people who work for you and your own beneficiaries, is perhaps the key to what makes you so important. Respect and responsibility. Thank you very much for doing what you do’.
Among those represented at the event were some of Anne’s most longstanding affiliations: Save the Children, of which she became President in 1970, and Riding for the Disabled Association, whose mission she has championed since 1971.
Also in attendance were some of the newest members of her patronage portfolio, including Friends of the Elderly, Royal Star and Garter Homes, and the Naval Children’s Charity – three organisations that were previously connected to Elizabeth II and the Duke of York retrospectively.
