Princess Anne Turns 76 — but It’s These Rare Photos With Her Two Children That Tell the More Personal Story Behind the Princess Royal. From Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall’s childhood years to the family moments that followed them into adulthood, the images reveal a noticeably different side of one of the monarchy’s hardest-working royals — and show just how much has changed while one bond has remained remarkably constant.

Princess Anne welcomed son Peter Phillips in 1977 and daughter Zara Tindall in 1981 with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips

Princess Anne With Her Children, Zara And Peter Phillips, And Members Of Staff, Their Bodyguard And Nanny Sarah Minty — Princess Anne With Her Children, Zara and Peter Phillips.Credit : Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

Princess Anne is 76!

Born on August 15, 1950, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wed her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips at Westminster Abbey in 1973. The two welcomed son Peter Phillips on Nov. 15, 1977 before rounding out their family with the arrival of daughter Zara Phillips on May 15, 1981. The couple divorced after almost 19 years of marriage in 1992.

Known for her dry sense of humor, passion for horses and being the hardest working royal, Princess Anne has also maintained strict boundaries about her privacy and kept her family away from the spotlight. Asked why she opted not to give her kids royal titles, she told Vanity Fair in 2020, “I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles. So I think that was probably the right thing to do.”

As the Princess Royal celebrates her 76th birthday on Aug. 15, 2026, see some of her photos with her two kids over the years.

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New Chapter

Queen Elizabeth II with her daughter, Princess Anne and grandson, Peter Phillips at the baby boy's christening, 12th December 1977 — Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne and Peter Phillips.Hulton Archive/Getty

Princess Anne bounced newborn Peter on her knees while Queen Elizabeth gave him a little tickle during his christening in 1977.

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Out in Nature

Balmoral Scotland: Left to right: Princess Anne, her son Peter Phillips and Queen Elizabeth II, 20th November 1979 — Princess Anne, her son Peter Phillips and Queen Elizabeth.Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty

The trio were photographed enjoying the outdoors at Balmoral Castle in 1979.

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Three of a Kind

The Princess Royal wore matching sweaters with her kids as the family took in the action at Windsor Horse Trails.

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Shades of Blue

Princess Anne With Her Children Peter And Zara At The Royal Windsor Horse Show — Princess Anne With Her Children Peter And Zara.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

Anne once again coordinated outfits with Peter and Zara as they walked the field at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1984.

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All in the Genes

Princess Anne With Tim Laurence And Peter Phillips, Zara Phillips With Lady Sarah Chatto On The Balcony Of Buckingham Palace, London To Celebrate The 100th Birthday Of The Queen Mother — Princess Anne with Zara and Peter.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

Zara and Peter were their mother’s lookalike as the siblings mirrored her facial expression during on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the family celebrated the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother.

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Big Wins

Princess Royal dressed against the wet weather with her daughter Zara Phillips after Zara had played for an Equestrian team in a charity polo match against a Jockeys team at the Beaufort Polo Club near Tetbury, Gloucestershire — Princess Anne with Zara.Barry Batchelor – PA Images/PA Images via Getty

Princess Anne was on hand to share in the victory as Zara’s team won the trophy in a charity polo match at the Beaufort Polo Club in 2001.

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Mother and Son

The Princess Royal, Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips at St Paul's Cathedral during a service of Thanksgiving to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubilee — Princess Anne with Peter Phillips.Andrew Parsons – PA Images/PA Images via Getty

Princess Anne was snapped having a moment with Peter during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee event at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2002.

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Mother-Daughter Time

Zara Phillips stands next to her mother Princess Anne in the winner's enclosure at Royal Ascot. Both Zara and the Princess Royal had watched the Queen's horse Right Approach finish third in the Queen Anne Stakes — Princess Anne with Zara Phillips.Chris Young – PA Images/PA Images via Getty

The mother-daughter duo brought out their finest headwear for the 2003 Royal Ascot.

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Caught in the Action

Zara Phillips Looking Shocked As She Watches Former Boyfriend Richard Johnson Ride To Victory In His Race At The National Hunt Festival At Cheltenham Races — Princess Anne with her kids.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

The trio appeared to be enthralled by all the action as they watched a horse race at The National Hunt Festival in 2004.

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Here to Support

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal and Peter Phillips watch Zara Phillips compete in the show jumping phase of the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on August 7, 2010 in Stroud, England — Princess Anne with Peter Phillips.Indigo/Getty

Princess Anne and Peter Phillips watched intently as Zara competed in the show jumping phase of the Festival of British Eventing in 2010.

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Bringing Home the Silver

Zara Phillips is presented with a gold medal from her mother, Princess Anne, after becoming European Champion at The Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championships held at Blenheim Palace on September 11, 2005 in Woodstock, England — Princess Anne with daughter Zara.Anwar Hussein/Getty

And when Zara came in second place in the team eventing equestrian competition at the 2012 Olympics, her beaming mother adorned her with the silver medal.

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Big Laughs

Princess Anne, Princess Royal and Zara Tindall attend Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 16, 2022 in Ascot, England — Princess Anne with her daughter, Zara Tindall.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Princess Anne shared a hearty laugh with her daughter as they attended the 2022 Royal Ascot together.

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Family Moments

Anne, Princess Royal, Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips speak with each other as they attend day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 17, 2025 in Ascot, England — Princess Anne with Peter Phillups and wife Harriet Sperling.Chris Jackson/Getty

The Princess Royal was pictured chatting with her son and then-finacé Harriet Sperling at the 2025 Royal Ascot.