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As Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, marks her 75th birthday on August 15, 2025, the occasion offers not only a moment of celebration but a chance to reflect on a life of extraordinary service, unwavering dedication, and timeless grace.
๐ A Lifetime of Duty and Dignity
Born in 1950 as the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Princess Anne has long been regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the British Royal Family. Since being granted the title of The Princess Royal in 1987, she has carried out thousands of engagements across the UK and abroad, often with little fanfare but immense impact.
Her commitment to public service is legendary. In 2024 alone, she undertook more than 400 official engagements, continuing to set the standard for royal duty even amid personal challenges and a changing monarchy.
โค๏ธ Causes Close to Her Heart
Princess Anne is patron to over 400 charities and organizations, many of which she has supported for decades. Her advocacy spans a wide range of causes, including:
- Equine welfare, through her long-standing role with the Riding for the Disabled Association
- Global humanitarian aid, as President of Save the Children UK since 1970
- Maritime and military service, reflecting her deep ties to the Royal Navy and her role as Admiral and Chief Commandant of Women in the Royal Navy
- Health and education, supporting initiatives that empower youth and improve access to care
In celebration of her 75th birthday, Princess Anne hosted a Charities Forum at Buckingham Palace, bringing together representatives from more than 100 organizations she supports. True to form, she chose to shine the spotlight on their work rather than herself.
๐ Remarkable Moments and Resilience
Princess Anneโs life has been marked by courage and composure. In 1974, she famously resisted a kidnapping attempt with the defiant words, โNot bloody likely!โ Her quick thinking and bravery became emblematic of her strength of character.
She was also by Queen Elizabeth IIโs side at Balmoral on the day of her passing in 2022, and played a central role in escorting the late monarchโs coffin across the UK. Her presence during the coronation of King Charles III, riding in the rainy procession as Gold Stick-in-Waiting, underscored her enduring sense of duty.
Even after sustaining a concussion in a horse-related incident in 2024, Princess Anne returned to royal duties with characteristic resolve.
โต A Birthday at Sea
In keeping with her love of the outdoors and maritime life, Princess Anne is spending her birthday sailing off the coast of Scotland with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, aboard their Rustler 44 yacht, Ballochbuie. Itโs a fitting retreat for a woman who has spent her life in service, and who finds peace in the simplicity of wind, water, and quiet reflection.
๐น A Legacy of Grace and Grit
At 75, Princess Anne embodies the values of respect, responsibility, and resilience. She has earned admiration not through grandeur, but through consistency, humility, and tireless work. As one royal insider put it, โSheโs got what we all hope for in middle age โ quiet satisfaction with a life well livedโ.
So today, we raise a toast to HRH The Princess Royal โ for her decades of service, her steadfast character, and her enduring grace. May this milestone year bring her the rest, joy, and recognition she so richly deserves.
Happy 75th Birthday, Princess Anne!
Princess Anne and husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence Picture by Chris Jackson
