A Royal Life of Duty and Dedication
The 75th birthday of Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, is more than a royal milestone – it is a moment of national pride, celebration, and reflection on a lifetime of unwavering service.
Born on 15th August 1950, she is the second child and only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Just two years younger than her elder brother, now King Charles III, Princess Anne was only two years old when her mother ascended the throne in 1952 following the untimely passing of King George VI.
Her royal duties began early: at just 18, she undertook her first solo engagement, opening an educational and training centre in Shropshire in 1969. In the decades since, she has amassed more than 300 patronages and earned a reputation as the hardest-working member of the Royal Family, with 217 official engagements in 2024 alone – ahead of even the King, who recorded 186.
Princess Anne is admired for her sharp wit, forthright manner, and tireless work ethic. She has long shunned the limelight, preferring instead to serve with quiet dedication. From hospital openings to international tours, she embodies duty and discretion – a royal whose strength lies not in ceremony, but in consistent, meaningful service.
Princess Anne’s Roles and Patronages
Over the decades, Princess Anne has held over 300 charitable affiliations, including:
- Save the Children – serving as President since 1970.
- St. John Ambulance
- The Royal College of Midwives
- The Royal Yachting Association
Princess Anne’s commitment to public service extends far beyond ceremonial duties. She has been instrumental in the establishment and ongoing work of several charities, including Carers Trust, Transaid, and Riders for Health. Known for her understated yet resolute approach, The Princess Royal frequently travels—often without fanfare—to support the causes closest to her heart. Whether visiting remote communities or attending high-level strategic meetings, she remains hands-on and deeply engaged.
An accomplished equestrian, Her Royal Highness has been a prominent figure in British horse sport for decades. She regularly competed at the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley and, in 1971, won the individual European Three-Day Event at Burghley—earning her the titles of Sportswoman of the Year and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
In 1976, she became the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games, riding as part of the British equestrian team in Montreal. Her deep understanding of elite sport has since informed her role as a British member of the International Olympic Committee. She was a key contributor to London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Games and served on the London Organising Committee. In 2016, she travelled to Rio de Janeiro to support Team GB as President of the British Olympic Association—a role that reflects her lifelong dedication to sport and national achievement.
Fashion Through the Years
Often referred to as the original “eco-royal,” Princess Anne has long championed sustainable style, decades before it became fashionable. Her sartorial choices reflect a steadfast loyalty to classic British fashion, defined by:
- Recycling outfits across decades
- Choosing practical, tailored suits
- Wearing timeless hats, coats and accessories
While she doesn’t follow trends, her signature style—sensible yet elegant—has quietly influenced generations of royal watchers. She’s proof that fashion and function can go hand in hand.
Princess Anne is further known for her signature beehive, which she has continued to wear to this day. Explored on the infamous show ‘The Crown’, the actress who portrayed the princess appears to have drawn her attention, with Anne commenting on the award-winning Netflix drama during an ITV documentary marketing her 70th birthday.
Describing some of the earlier episodes as ‘quite interesting’, Princess Anne admitted she doesn’t keep up with the show, but an article on the series’ hair and makeup had drawn her attention.
“Actually I read an article the other day, I don’t [usually] watch Netflix and The Crown, but the actress was talking about how long it took them to do her hair as I did, and I’m thinking, ‘How could it possibly take that long?’ I mean it takes me 10 or 15 minutes.”
The comment made was by Erin Doherty, the actress who plays Princess Anne in the show, who explained that it was quite an experience to get her hair ready for shooting each day, with preparations taking up to two hours!
The Queen’s Only Daughter: A Unique Bond
Princess Anne shared a particularly close relationship with her mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As the only daughter, she regularly stood by her mother during key state functions and personal moments. She was seen as a pillar of strength, particularly after the Queen’s passing in 2022.
Their mutual respect was evident in how Princess Anne was trusted with roles like escorting the Queen’s coffin on her final journey—an honour underscoring deep familial and national trust.
Princess Anne was Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter, and second-oldest child, leading to a particularly close bond with her parents. Her youngest brothers, Andrew and Edward, were born more than a decade after her birth, likely due to Queen Elizabeth II having been unexpectedly thrust to the throne, and having taken time to adjust. This lead to an interesting dynamic between the siblings, with some claiming that the two youngest had had a much closer relationship to their parents, due to their increased availability and familiarity with the role and duties of monarchy.
One thing that Princess Anne undoubtedly inherited from the Queen was her incredible love for horses. Of course, she shares the same stiff-upper lip, hard-working attitude and phenomenal discipline that both her parents had endeared the nation with, but where she has most shined, is in her pursuit of equestrianism.
Likely taking after her mother, herself a second generation equestrian and racing enthusiast, and her father with his love of carriage racing and polo, Princess Anne started riding horses early, and began competing at just 11, after receiving professional riding lessons at Holyport’s Smith Stables.
According to Anne, the Princess Royal, she debuted in public competition at age 11. A series of victories followed, including a win in a jumping event held by the queen at Windsor Home Park.
The riding continued at the private Benenden School in Kent, where she had the opportunity to try out the dozens of horses at the Moat House Riding School. Anne relished the thrill of competition in choreographed performances and show-jumping events, and gamely endured the rougher side of equestrianism when falls left her with broken appendages.
Princess Anne was the first British royal to win the European gold medal, with her biggest triumph to date at the September 1971 European Eventing Championships at the Burghley House in Cambridgeshire. Riding her beloved gelding Doublet, Anne again took the lead in the opening day’s dressage, held on through the cross-country course of Day 2, and closed with a flawless showing in the show-jumping before a thrilled crowd.
When she competed again at the 1976 Olympics, she again made history, as the first British Royal to be selected for the Olympic Team. Her entire close family, including The Queen who sported a Leica M3 camera around her neck, ready to take pictures of her daughter in competitor, attended the races.
Honours and Recognitions Over the Years
Throughout her life, Princess Anne has received numerous awards and titles, including:
- The title Princess Royal (1987)
- Order of the Garter and Order of the Thistle
- Multiple honorary military titles in the UK and Commonwealth
She has also been recognised internationally for her humanitarian efforts and diplomatic contributions.
However, it may surprise many to learn that despite her senior position within the Royal Family, Princess Anne has never previously featured on a commemorative gold sovereign. In celebration of her 75th birthday in 2025, Hattons of London has struck a series of world-first gold sovereign coins—each officially approved by Buckingham Palace and featuring a specially commissioned portrait of The Princess Royal.
The reverse design was created by acclaimed artist Jody Clark, whose portfolio includes the fifth and final coinage portrait of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on British circulating coinage, as well as numerous commemorative issues.
These new sovereigns are highly distinctive in that they are struck in solid 22 carat gold with an inlaid segment of titanium—a first in sovereign history. Known for its resilience and strength, titanium is a fitting symbol of Princess Anne’s unwavering dedication to public service and her enduring personal strength.
For decades, The Princess Royal has worked tirelessly—often away from the spotlight—with steadfast commitment and purpose. This sovereign marks a rare and lasting tribute to that quiet fortitude. Given the nature of royal approvals, it is possible that this may remain the only time Princess Anne ever appears on sovereign coinage, making it a genuine once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
To underscore the significance of this milestone, the inlaid titanium takes the shape of a diamond, echoing elements from Princess Anne’s personal coat of arms.
The obverse features a portrait of King Charles III, also designed by Jody Clark, facing in the opposite direction to that of his sister, symbolising a moment of unity and mutual respect between two royal siblings. This marks another historic first: never before has a reigning monarch appeared on a sovereign alongside one of their siblings.
This powerful design speaks not only to a life of service, but to the enduring strength of familial support within the monarchy. It is a fitting tribute to a Princess who has remained a pillar of stability across decades of change.
Family Life and Personal Side of the Princess
Despite her busy royal schedule, Princess Anne has always prioritized her family. She married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, and the couple had two children—Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. After divorcing in 1992, she married Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
She lives a relatively private life at Gatcombe Park, balancing royal duties with horse breeding, countryside life, and family gatherings.
Public Tributes and Global Admiration
As she turns 75, tributes have poured in from:
- King Charles III – praising her work ethic and loyalty
- The British Armed Forces – acknowledging her service as a royal colonel
- Charity organisations – celebrating her leadership and involvement
Across the globe, leaders and citizens alike admire her unwavering presence and years of dedication.
The Birthday Celebrations in Detail
Events marking the birthday include:
- A private royal family gathering at Gatcombe Park
- Public tributes and services at Westminster Abbey
- Charity galas celebrating her favourite causes
While modest, the celebrations reflect the respect and affection the public and her family hold for her.
