As she turns 75 this Friday, Princess Anne continues to embody dedication to her role within the monarchy. Frequently dubbed the “hardest working royal,” she carried out 474 engagements last year—well above her brother King Charles’ 372.
Rather than opting for a grand celebration, Anne began marking her milestone early last month by hosting more than 100 of her patronages at Buckingham Palace. She personally greeted as many as 200 guests, thanking them for their contributions.
The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Princess Royal shows no signs of slowing down, balancing charitable work, official duties, and her deep respect for tradition.
Correcting Queen Camilla with grace
Her adherence to royal protocol became clear during a joint appearance with Queen Camilla at the University of London’s Foundation Day in November 2024. As Chancellor of the University, Anne awarded her sister-in-law an honorary doctorate of literature for her work promoting reading across the UK.
When the two women were escorted to Senate House, Camilla paused at the doorway and gestured for Anne to enter first. Smiling, Anne politely declined. According to reports, she insisted Camilla proceed ahead because protocol dictates that the highest-ranking royal present must always enter first.
Though Anne is the daughter of a monarch, she ranks below her sister-in-law, who now holds the title of Queen. By guiding Camilla into the room before her, Anne not only upheld tradition but also prevented an inadvertent breach of hierarchy—proving her eye for detail and devotion to the rules of royal conduct.
A portrait for a milestone birthday
To mark the occasion of her 75th, Buckingham Palace released an official portrait of Anne with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 70. Married since 1992, the couple posed together in an elegant photograph that reflects Anne’s poise and enduring sense of duty.
The Princess Royal wore a striking ivory gown with lace detailing, paired with a cropped jacket. The image captures not only her milestone birthday but also her role as one of the monarchy’s most steadfast figures.
