The Princess Royal turns 76 today and the Daily Express takes a look at some of her best moments.
Princess Anne will have plenty of reasons to celebrate today as she marks her 76th birthday. The Princess Royal, the second child and only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, was born on August 15, 1950.
Anne has become a detrimental member of the Royal Family, with several royal fans describing her as the “best Queen we never had”. She has also been dubbed the Firm’s “secret weapon” due to her devotion to duty and the public’s perception of her. Here, the Daily Express looks back at some of her best moments as we wish her a very happy birthday.
The late Queen Elizabeth with Princess Anne
When the princess was born in 1950, Buckingham Palace was undergoing renovations following damage it had sustained from World War 2. In 1949, the family had moved to Clarence House. For this reason, Anne was born at Clarence House rather than Buckingham Palace. After the birth, Prince Philip reportedly told everyone: ‘It’s the sweetest girl.’ Her christening took place in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace on October 21.
Princess Anne And Prince Philip
The Princess Royal was often dubbed the late Duke of Edinburgh’s “favourite” child among his other children, King Charles, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince Edward. Eileen Parker, wife of Philip’s close friend Mike Parker, previously revealed via Daily Mail: “[Philip] always had more fun with Anne. Charles is more like the Queen, while Anne is very like Prince Philip.”
Queen Elizabeth with Princess Anne and King Charles at Balmoral
According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Anne had said about growing up as a child in the royal household: “They were supportive and never really quibbled about what you wanted to do. There were occasional comments like – ‘Was that really a good idea?’ I don’t think that any of us for a second thought that she [the Queen] didn’t care for us in the same way as any other mother did.”
Princess Anne loves horses
Anne is known to be extremely fond of horses and was an accomplished equestrian in her youth. The Princess Royal competed at the Cookham Horse Trials in March 1972. Her participation in the Olympics in Canada in 1976 was a historic moment, making her the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Games. Her love for horses has been a constant in her life, and she remains deeply involved in the equestrian world.
Princess Anne on her wedding day in 1973
At the age of 21, Princess Anne married her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. The wedding took place in November 1973 at Westminster Abbey. Captain Phillips came from a British military family and served in the Army. The wedding was watched by an estimated global audience of 500 million people. Anne wowed fans in a high-necked gown by London-based label Susan Small. She also chose to wear Queen Mary’s Fringe tiara, which the late Queen Elizabeth wore on her wedding day. The couple later welcomed two children – a son called Peter and a daughter named Zara – before announcing their separation in 1989.
Princess Anne In Uzbekistan in 1993
In December 1992, Anne married her second and current husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. The Church of England did not permit the remarriage of divorcees and Anne and Sir Timothy wed in a small ceremony north of the border in the Scottish Presbyterian Church.
Princess Anne with her grandchildren at the 2019 Festival of British Eventing
Through her two children, Anne is also a proud grandmother of five. She has two granddaughters through Peter – Savannah and Isla and through Zara, another three grandchildren – Mia, Lena and Lucas.
Princess Anne at Trooping the Colour in 2023
The Princess Royal has held the position of the Gold-Stick-in-Waiting since 1998, when she became Colonel of The Blues and Royals. The prestigious position dates back to the 15th century, when two officers, known as the Gold Stick and the Silver Stick, were placed close to the monarch during the monarch’s Coronation to ensure their safety. Princess Anne was the Gold Stick in Waiting at the King’s Coronation in 2023 when she rode on horseback behind King Charles Queen Camilla, 75, in the Gold State Coach as they made their way from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.
Princess Anne waving
Anne has consistently ranked as the Royal Family’s hardest-working member year after year. However, last year, she was overtaken by her brother, the King. Anne worked more days throughout 2025 than any member of the Royal Family, however, Charles was crowned the hardest working royal after clocking up a total of 532 engagements in 12 months, 50 more than his sister, who carried out 478.
