Often described as the most down-to-earth member of the British royal family, Princess Anne is also one of its most intriguing.
From foiling a dramatic kidnapping attempt to representing the Crown in Australia more times than any other royal, the Princess Royal’s life has been anything but ordinary. Here’s everything you need to know about the late Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter — and the fascinating facts that might just surprise you.
Who is Princess Anne?
Princess Anne is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Born on August 15, 1950, at Clarence House in London, she was third in line to the British throne at birth.
Today, she is known officially as The Princess Royal, a title traditionally given to the eldest daughter of the monarch. She received the honour from her mother in 1987.
In 1994, Queen Elizabeth II appointed her to the Order of the Garter, but Anne requested to be a Royal Knight of the Order, and not a Lady. Furthermore, she is the current Colonel-in-Chief of more than 20 regiments.
In August 2025, Princess Anne celebrated her 75th birthday. The official British Royal Family’s Instagram shared some beautiful posts about the Princess Royal to celebrate.
The image was taken last month at Gatcombe Park, the private residence of The Princess Royal. The photograph was taken by John Swannell.
Is Princess Anne in line to the throne?
Yes, she is, but quite far down. When she was born, Princess Anne was third in line after her mother and older brother, Charles. However, due to changes in the line of succession and the birth of her nieces and nephews, Anne is currently 17th in line to the British throne (as of 2025).
Interestingly, although she’s older than her younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, male-preference primogeniture meant she was overtaken in the line of succession. This is something that has since been abolished for future generations.
Who is Princess Anne’s husband?
Princess Anne has been married twice. Her first husband was Captain Mark Phillips, an Olympic equestrian, whom she wed in 1973 in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The pair had two children: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall (née Phillips), before divorcing in 1992.
Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attend the State Banquet at Windsor Castle on July 08, 2025 in Windsor, England. Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Buckingham Palace
On 12 December that same year, Anne married Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, a former equerry to the Queen. Unlike her first marriage, the wedding was a low-key affair held in Scotland, where the Church of England’s restrictions on remarriage after divorce didn’t apply.
Meet her children: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall
Princess Anne’s children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall (née Phillips), are known for living relatively normal lives outside the formal trappings of royalty. In a decision that was ahead of its time, Anne and Mark Phillips chose not to give their children royal titles, making them the Queen’s first grandchildren without one.
Zara, in particular, has made a name for herself in her own right. An accomplished equestrian like her mother, she won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics as part of the British eventing team. Peter has worked in corporate hospitality and sports management.
In addition to her two children, she has five grandchildren.
The Princess and the Queen
While much has been made of Queen Elizabeth II’s relationships with her sons, her connection with Princess Anne was uniquely strong. The two shared a quiet bond rooted in a mutual sense of duty, a no-nonsense work ethic, and a love of horses.
In royal circles, Anne was considered the most similar to her mother in temperament: stoic, practical and deeply committed to service. It’s no surprise that after the Queen’s passing in 2022, Anne accompanied her coffin on its final journey from Balmoral to London.
The kidnapping attempt
One of the most dramatic events in royal history unfolded in 1974, when Princess Anne was the target of a kidnapping attempt. While returning to Buckingham Palace with Mark Phillips, her car was stopped on The Mall by a gunman named Ian Ball.
When Ball attempted to force her from the car, Anne famously refused, reportedly saying, “Not bloody likely.”
Several people were injured in the incident, including her bodyguard, but the Princess remained unharmed. Her bravery and her refusal to make a fuss cemented her image as one of the toughest royals.
A royal regular Down Under
In addition to her regular royal visits abroad (she has been on over 562 overseas visits and has been to every continent), Princess Anne has visited Australia more than 20 times since her first official tour in 1970.
Often representing the monarchy at events such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show or the opening of agricultural and sporting facilities, Anne has long been seen as a royal favourite in Australia, particularly for regional and rural communities.
In 2022, she was in Sydney for the 200th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural Society.
She has also shown continued support for Australian charities, defence personnel, and horse breeding organisations.
Princess Anne’s special interests
Horses are more than a hobby for Princess Anne; they’ve been central to her life. She was the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympics. The princess represented Britain in equestrian eventing at the 1976 Montreal Games.
Another first in the sporting realm for the Princess Royal was her appearance as a contestant on A Question of Sport, a television panel quiz show on the BBC. She was the first royal to compete in a television show.
Additionally, she has been the patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986.
David O’Connor, Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee and Anne, Princess Royal, Day three of the Olympic Games, Paris 2024, at the medal ceremony for the Eventing Jumping Team Final. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Outside of sport, Anne supports over 300 charities and organisations. She served as president of Save the Children for two decades. Furthermore, she also campaigns for carers’ support, women’s health, and veterans’ causes.
In fact, in 1990, President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia nominated the Princess Royal for a Nobel Peace Prize for her work at Save the Children.
Notably, she is consistently ranked the hardest-working royal, often carrying out more engagements than any other family member.
And if there ever is a need for a royal to drive a bus, Princess Anne can volunteer. She is the first royal to get a Heavy Goods Vehicle license, and has driven a double-decker bus and a police car, according to The Royal Family’s Instagram.
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