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Spectator
5 days ago
- Spectator
How Princess Anne is celebrating her 75th birthday
When a previous milestone was looming in the life of Princess Anne, her 21st birthday, the late Queen asked her where she would like to have her party. There was Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, of course, although, with a mid-August birthday, might she prefer Balmoral? 'None of the above,' came the reply. The Princess wanted to hold a 'discotheque party' in Portsmouth on board the royal yacht Britannia. And so it is this Friday, as the Princess marks her 75th, that the most nautical member of the family (patron of everything from the Royal Yachting Association to the Mission to Seafarers) will be at sea with a cake for two as she spends her birthday with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, sailing their Rustler 44, Ballochbuie, somewhere off the Outer Hebrides. 'I think our ideal of a break, if we have a break, is to go up to our boat on the west coast of Scotland,' Sir Tim once told me, adding that 'getting wet and cold' was all part of the fun. Ballochbuie, named after a Deeside forest, is very much like her helmswoman: elegant – in Britannia blue – but understated, and thoroughly dependable in all weather. That last quality has been abundantly clear, through the final stages of the last reign and all through this one. The dutiful daughter who was with the late Queen at Balmoral on the day she died and then escorted her coffin on the journey across the kingdom, through Aberdeenshire, down to Edinburgh, on to London and finally to Windsor, has been an equally dutiful sister thereafter. Look at the official coronation family photo and note who is standing at the King's right-hand side – the only member of the royal family who elected to ride in the rainy coronation procession rather than travel by car or carriage. It was where the Princess felt she should be, given that her role as Colonel of the Blues and Royals also makes her Gold Stick-in-Waiting. 'The earliest senior personal protection officer, I think, is probably what they would call them now,' she explained to me during a subsequent interview. 'But that's exactly what they were – your last line of defence – although whether the gold stick was ever really designed to do much damage, I'm not quite sure.' Given her defiant riposte of 'Not bloody likely!' to the gun-toting maniac who tried to kidnap her in 1974 (and whom the Mail recently found roaming the streets of London once again), I've no doubt that she'd be pretty quick off the mark with her sword. When the twin diagnoses of the King and the Princess of Wales left the monarchy stretched to the limit last year, the Queen and all the other members of the family had to help fill the gaps. There was already a post-Covid logjam with honours and that looked set to worsen, since investitures are entrusted to just three people. With the King out of action and Prince William understandably preoccupied, it was the Princess who had to take up the slack. Famously low-maintenance, she keeps a small office at the back of St James's Palace with one private secretary and one deputy, plus four programme managers who divide the admin and engagement planning between them. On overseas tours, she will often travel with a staff of one. On her awaydays across the country, the Princess tends to focus on local impact, not national headlines. This is reflected in her strategy at royal garden parties. While, inevitably, the crowds would coalesce around the monarch and the heir to the throne in the middle of the lawn, the Princess would sometimes head straight for the fringes. As she recounted while we were making a 70th birthday film for ITV: 'I would work up the back of the border, which is where the people who didn't want to be seen went. They were almost pretending they weren't there. You know: 'I don't really want to talk to anyone.'' She entirely understands that some people are very happy being unsung. But that does not mean they should be ignored. Publicity may be important for a constitutional monarchy but she has no wish to court it. Hence her studious non-engagement with her 75th birthday beyond a couple of official photos, a commemorative coin and what her staff had gamely billed as a birthday celebration. There was no cake, and certainly no candles (though champagne was served afterwards), and the invitation talked of a 'Charities Forum'. The 200 guests in the Palace Ballroom, a cross-section of her umpteen organisations, heard earnest updates from across the sector, plus a speech from their patron in which she thanked them all for inviting her on board in the first place. Talking to some of them afterwards, I heard repeated reference to her preference for details and plain speaking. Lord Kakkar KG, chairman of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 (still paying out grants of £4 million off the back of Prince Albert's handiwork), mentioned that he was reminded of the very similar approach of the previous president, the Duke of Edinburgh – a comparison that many draw. It was the Duke who had advised the young Princess not to accept every invitation but to choose her causes carefully. That was back in 1969, making her one of only two people in Britain (and pretty much anywhere else) who have been fully engaged in national and international life since man first set foot on the moon and the Beatles were still in one piece. The other is the King. Neither shows any sign of slowing down. The King will soon be welcoming the Starmers to Balmoral and the Trumps to Windsor. Once the Princess has tied up the boat, her diary includes an autumn Commonwealth tour as well as many engagements at home, with Royal Navy divers in Portsmouth, engineers in Gloucestershire, a church and a Sikh temple in Warwick, plus some of her regiments. 'I thought I'd got old when the son of the commanding officer, whom I'd met in short pants in Germany, became an officer in the regiment,' she recalled at the time of her 70th. 'Now we're into grandchildren.'
Wales Online
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Princess Anne celebrates milestone birthday with new photograph and royal tributes
Princess Anne celebrates milestone birthday with new photograph and royal tributes A new photograph has been released as the Princess Royal's birthday is marked with a tribute to her non-political royal soft power and 'amazing' stamina The picture of the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attending the State Banquet for the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife Brigitte Macron has been released ahead of the Princess Royal's 75th birthday on August 15 (Image: PA) A new portrait photograph has been unveiled to commemorate Princess Anne's coming milestone birthday. The Princess Royal is set to celebrate her 75th birthday on August 15, with the image marking the beginning of the celebrations. The portrait features Anne with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, captured during a Windsor Castle state banquet. The event was hosted by the King in July, honouring France's President Emmanuel Macron who was on a state visit to the UK. The princess is wearing her banquet gown and regalia, including the Order of the Garter Sash and Star, Order of the Thistle Star, King's Family Order and Royal Family Order from Queen Elizabeth II. As she prepares to mark her birthday next week, the princess has been praised for her non-political royal soft power and remarkable stamina throughout her years of service. Charity leaders who work closely with the Royal disclosed that she is deeply concerned about Britain's current state amidst global challenges. King Charles III, Colonel in Chief, the Household Cavalry, and the Princess Royal, Colonel the Blues and Royals, attending the presentation of new standards to The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals at Windsor Castle, Berkshire (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire) Long called "the hardest-working royal", it is said that she is more active than ever, rather than slowing down. Those who know her have shared, in celebration of her birthday, that she possesses a "wicked wit", a practical approach to issues, and a knack for "not always agreeing" with what they say, reports the Daily Record. Moazzam Malik, chief executive of Save The Children UK, commented: "Obviously, as a royal, she's not a political figure, but her soft support for us is very inspiring for us as an organisation and for our collaborators and partners. She's very low key. She's self-effacing. "She doesn't want to kind of take the limelight, but she's very committed ... You can see that she cares about the state of Britain and the state of the world. There's a lot of challenges for us as a country, and indeed, a lot of challenges for children at a time of great geopolitical challenge. And she cares." Anne has been associated with Save the Children UK for 55 years, initially becoming its president in 1970 at the age of 20. She went on to serve as patron from 2017, succeeding her mother Queen Elizabeth II. Mr Malik revealed the princess had encountered some 27,000 of the organisation's supporters and assisted in raising tens of millions of pounds throughout the decades. She dedicates considerable time to visiting Save The Children's initiatives across the UK where one in three children are experiencing relative poverty, and internationally, having journeyed to nations including Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with one in 11 children worldwide requiring humanitarian aid, he explained. Mr Malik continued: "She's one of our chief supporters, and it's great to have somebody like that you know who will keep nudging you forward." Tanya Curry, the chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, an organisation for which Anne has been a patron since 2008, suggested that the princess had ramped up her workload as she approached her 75th birthday. She remarked: "I think she's probably done a lot more for us actually, and the kind of stamina that she brings to that, mentally and physically, is amazing. "She's working incredibly hard, and she positions the royal family in such a great way that people really understand and really can see the work that she's doing." Anne plays a pivotal role in her brother, King Charles' streamlined working monarchy. Her support was crucial when Charles was diagnosed with cancer. In June 2024, she was urgently taken to intensive care after it was believed she had been hit by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate. However, the princess, who returned to Royal duties less than three weeks later, confessed she has no recollection of the incident but now considers every day as a "bonus". Michael Baker, the chief executive of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), said Anne, who has been involved with the organisation since 1971, was eager to attend its national championships for her first engagement following her hospital stay. He stated: "She wanted to be there and come what may she was going to be with us, and that was so powerful because it was clearly a determined effort to be there as the first visit back." He described her as having "great wicked wit", explaining: "She's the first person to put everyone at ease with a quick one-liner or something that really gets to the heart of something." The princess champions over 300 charities and organisations, and earlier this year gathered many of them at a special Buckingham Palace forum, declaring this was her preferred way to celebrate her approaching 75th birthday. Lord Kakkar, chairman of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 where Anne serves as president, emphasised the princess's hands-on methodology and drew comparisons to her late father Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, for her capacity to discuss science, engineering and technology in considerable detail. He described the princess as "very deeply committed" to the commission's principles in order to achieve a "profound impact on the lives of people in our country", and globally. The commission, established by Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert during the Great Exhibition era, provides approximately 35 postgraduate fellowships and scholarships annually for cutting-edge research in science, engineering, the built environment and design. Lord Kakkar reflected on Albert's original vision: "Her Royal Highness is very, very deeply committed and that is really, ultimately, doing all of this so it has a profound impact on the lives of people in our country, throughout the Commonwealth, indeed, throughout the world." The Princess, renowned for her candid demeanour, often holds differing viewpoints, Lord Kakkar suggested. "That is very much the approach that (the Duke of Edinburgh) took and that Her Royal Highness takes, to be interested," he added. Article continues below What one sees in the conversations is a genuine fascination and interest in the issues, not always agreeing with the conclusions, but always being able to, with that demonstration of having prepared properly, having thought carefully, being able to engage in a meaningful conversation."
Edinburgh Live
22-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Prince Harry's blunt words of advice from Prince Philip ahead of 'mission'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Prince Harry fondly remembered the poignant advice his grandfather, Prince Philip, gave him before his deployment to Afghanistan. In April 2006, after joining the Blues and Royals, Harry was commissioned as an Army Officer. In the subsequent year, Harry embarked on active duty, setting off for a 10-week stint in Afghanistan as a forward air controller, tasked with coordinating airstrikes against Taliban forces. His tour was cut short when international media disclosed his whereabouts, necessitating an early return home. Following Prince Philip's passing in 2021, Harry reflected on the sage counsel his grandfather offered prior to his departure for military service. READ MORE - Princess Charlotte 'handed back' lavish gift worth eye-watering £36k READ MORE - Edinburgh Council blasted over 'extremely concerning' £8m deal with convicted landlord Harry recounted: "Going off to Afghanistan, he was very matter of fact and just said: 'Make sure you come back alive'." Post-war, Harry acknowledged that it was Philip who provided him the opportunity to discuss his experiences in Afghanistan, reports the Mirror. Harry further noted: "Then when I came back, there wasn't a deep level of discussion, more a case of: 'Well you made it. How was it?' That's how he was. He was very much a listener, he sort of set the scene for you to be able to share as much as you wanted to share but he would never probe." Prince Philip's straightforward approach to discussing the war may have been influenced by his own military service in the Royal Navy during World War II. Philip initially enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1939 and was swiftly promoted to become one of the youngest first lieutenants at the age of 21. His vessel, the HMS Wallace, played a crucial role in the Allied invasion of Sicily, a turning point in the war. Throughout his military career, Philip held various honorary titles within the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Notably, he was appointed Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Cadet Force, and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps. Furthermore, he underwent pilot training with the RAF and continued to fly until the late 1990s. His grandson, Prince Harry, followed in his footsteps by joining the military in 2005. Upon completing his officer training in April 2006, Harry graduated from the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy. Subsequently, Harry received his commission in a regiment within the Household Cavalry. However, in 2006, his unit announced their scheduled deployment to Iraq the following year, sparking a heated public debate regarding the Prince's safety. Addressing his desire to serve on the front lines, Harry stated: "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my a*** back home while my boys are out fighting for their country." Despite the public concerns surrounding his security, the Duke of Sussex was discreetly deployed to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan for ten weeks in late 2007. During this time, he assisted NATO forces as a forward air controller before his tour was prematurely terminated when his location was compromised. Prince Harry's military career saw him rise through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant with the Household Cavalry in April 2008. Later, he transitioned to the Army Air Corps, where he retrained as an Apache pilot. He subsequently returned to Afghanistan in 2012, serving as a helicopter co-pilot and gunner. His military service came to a close in June 2015, when he concluded his career at the rank of captain, following a stint with the Australian military. At the time, General Sir Nicholas Carter, the Chief of the General Staff, praised Harry for his decade-long contributions to the military, noting that he had "achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier".
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Prince Harry's blunt words of advice from key royal ahead of dangerous mission
Prince Harry once recalled the touching words of advice he was told by Prince Philip before he was deployed on a weeks-long tour of Afghanistan in 2007 Prince Harry once recalled the emotional words of advice he received from his grandfather, Prince Philip, before he was deployed on a weeks-long tour of Afghanistan. In April 2006, Harry was commissioned as an Army Officer, just months after joining the Blues and Royals. The following year Harry was sent on active duty, heading off to begin a 10-week deployment in Afghanistan working as a forward air controller, coordinating airstrikes on Taliban positions. However, his tour came to an abrupt end and he was forced to fly home early, after international media revealed his location. In a documentary released in the months after Prince Philip's death in 2021, Harry reflected on the wisdom his grandfather imparted on him before he left for his duties. Harry said: 'Going off to Afghanistan, he was very matter of fact and just said: 'Make sure you come back alive'.' After returning from the war, the Duke of Sussex said it was Philip who gave him the space to talk about his service in Afghanistan. Harry added: 'Then when I came back, there wasn't a deep level of discussion, more a case of: 'Well you made it. How was it?' That's how he was. He was very much a listener, he sort of set the scene for you to be able to share as much as you wanted to share but he would never probe.' Prince Philip's candidness about the war perhaps came from the fact that the late Duke of Edinburgh served in the Royal Navy during World War II. Philip first joined the Royal Navy in 1939, and was made one of the youngest first lieutenants at just 21 years old. His ship, the HMS Wallace, was part of the Allied invasion of Sicily - a pivotal moment in the war. He held honorary titles in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and was appointed Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Cadet Force and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps. He also received pilot training with the RAF and continued flying until the late 1990s. His grandson Prince Harry joined the military in 2005, and completed his officer training in April 2006, when he graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy. Harry was then commissioned in a regiment within the Household Cavalry. His unit announced in 2006 that they were scheduled to be deployed in Iraq the following year, causing a huge public debate over the Prince's safety. Speaking of his desire to serve on the front lines, Harry said: 'There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my a*** back home while my boys are out fighting for their country.' Despite the public discourse over his security, the Duke of Sussex was secretly deployed for ten weeks to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan in late 2007, assisting NATO forces as a forward air controller, before his tour was cut short when his location was exposed. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant with the Household Cavalry in April 2008, before the Duke of Sussex retrained as an Apache pilot in the Army Air Corps and returned to Afghanistan in 2012 as a helicopter co-pilot and gunner. Harry then ended his military career at the rank of captain in June 2015, following a secondment to the Australian military. General Sir Nicholas Carter, the then-Chief of the General Staff, said that Harry had 'achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier'.
Sky News AU
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Princess Anne praised for 'pushing boundaries' as she debuts stunning new look at Windsor Castle event
Princess Anne has been praised for "pushing the boundaries" after stepping out with a bold new beauty look during the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle. The 74-year-old Princess Royal joined fellow senior royals for the annual event on Monday, marking the country's oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry. Founded nearly 700 years ago by King Edward III, the Order of the Garter is Britain's most senior Order of Chivalry. Princess Anne was appointed a Royal Knight of the Order, not a Royal Lady, in 1994 and took part in the grand procession through the castle grounds in full military regalia. Wearing a traditional Garter cloak and hat adorned with a large white feather, Anne turned heads with a subtle twist: a swipe of metallic pink lipstick, a departure from her usual no-fuss beauty look. Beauty editor Cassie Steer applauded the unexpected glam, telling Hello!: "Leave it to Anne to push beauty boundaries in the chicest of ways. "Reimagining classic lipstick colours such as red or pink as sparkling focal points is great for special occasions, and a metallic mouth- not to be confused with more sedate shimmer- adds a modern lustre." The royal, who rarely strays from a pared-back aesthetic, added further elegance with diamond and pearl button earrings, a feminine touch that echoed her sister-in-law Queen Camilla's choice of jewels. Camilla, 77, who led the parade alongside King Charles III, 75, wore her signature four-row pearl choker and a matching pair of diamond and pearl clip earrings. Watching the proceedings from St George's Chapel, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, and Princess Catherine, 43, also embraced the pearl theme. Sophie wore a pearl pendant and diamond drop earrings, while Catherine donned a pair of vintage-style pearl studs by designer Susan Caplan and a five-row necklace. Just two days earlier, the royal women had appeared together at Trooping the Colour, where Anne once again showcased pearls and a pop of colour on her lips. For that occasion, the Princess Royal wore her ceremonial uniform as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, a full mounted ensemble complete with bicorn hat, jodhpurs, and riding boots. She also wore the Collars of the Order of the Garter and the Sash of the Order of the Thistle. The event marked the mother-of-two's triumphant return to horseback duties following an injury last year. As Colonel, she rode in the procession on horseback alongside Prince William and Prince Edward, rather than travelling by carriage with the rest of the royal family.
