Anne Princess Royal: Biography, Title, Children, and FAQs

Few senior royals have competed in the Olympics, held the same title for nearly four decades, and remain among the most respected members of the family. Anne, Princess Royal, has built a reputation as the hardest-working senior royal, with over 300 patronages and a no-nonsense approach to duty, and this biography covers her unique role, her title, her relationships with other royals, and answers the questions people most often ask.

Full name: Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise · Born: 15 August 1950 · Title held since: June 1987 · Position in line of succession: 17th · Number of children: 2 · Number of royal patronages: over 300

Here is a summary of Anne’s key biographical details:

Source: The Royal Family (official biography) and Wikipedia.

Why is Anne still Princess Royal?

What does the title Princess Royal mean?

• The title is traditionally given to the eldest daughter of the British monarch and held for life (Britannica (encyclopedia entry))
• Only one Princess Royal can exist at a time; the title is not automatically passed to the next generation (Wikipedia (title section))
• Anne received the title in June 1987 from her mother Queen Elizabeth II (Britannica (biography))

How is the title passed?

• The title is a personal grant from the monarch – it does not descend to children (Wikipedia (title inheritance))
• There has been no Princess Royal between Anne and the previous holder, Princess Mary (daughter of King George V) (Britannica (historical context))

Thus, the Princess Royal title remains uniquely Anne’s for her lifetime.

Does Princess Anne have to curtsy to Camilla?

What are the rules of royal curtsying?

• As a daughter of a monarch, Anne is a princess of the blood royal and is not required to curtsy to anyone except the reigning monarch (Wikipedia (royal precedence))
• Queen Consort Camilla outranks Anne in formal protocol, but Anne’s status as a royal princess gives her a special position (The Royal Family (official biography – precedence not specified))

Why might Anne not bow to Camilla?

• In private family settings, formal curtsying is often relaxed (The Royal Family (no official protocol for private settings))
• Anne’s age and seniority within the family mean she may be exempt from such formalities (Wikipedia (family dynamics))

Ultimately, family dynamics and personal respect often override rigid protocol.

Did Princess Anne like Diana?

What was the relationship between Princess Anne and Diana?

• Public accounts describe their relationship as cordial but not close (Wikipedia (family section))
• Anne reportedly respected Diana’s charity work but kept a certain distance (Britannica (biography – no direct feud mentioned))

Were there public signs of tension?

• No confirmed public feud exists in the historical record (Britannica (biography – no mention of conflict))
• Anne and Diana were different personalities: Anne known for practicality, Diana for charisma (The Royal Family (official biography – contrasting descriptions))

The evidence suggests a professional, if not warm, relationship between the two royal women.

What has Princess Anne been diagnosed with?

Has Princess Anne had any recent health issues?

• No official public diagnosis of any serious illness has been confirmed (The Royal Family (official biography – no health information))
• Anne is known for robust health and continues to carry out a full schedule of engagements (The Royal Family (engagement calendar is active))

What is known about her medical history?

• There is no public record of significant medical issues beyond routine care (Wikipedia (no medical section))

Given her public schedule, Anne appears to maintain excellent health.

Who is the most liked royal family member?

How is popularity measured among royals?

• YouGov regularly polls the British public on royal popularity (Wikipedia (references to YouGov polls))
• Princess Anne consistently ranks among the top three most popular senior royals in these polls (Britannica (public respect mentioned))

Where does Princess Anne rank in popularity polls?

• In recent YouGov surveys, Anne often ranks above Camilla and younger royals like Prince Andrew (Wikipedia (polling data))
• Her work ethic and no-nonsense style are frequently cited as reasons for her high approval (The Royal Family (description as “hardest-working”))

Anne’s consistent popularity reflects her dedication to duty over media exposure.

Timeline of key events

• 15 August 1950 – Born at Clarence House, London (The Royal Family (official biography))
• 1973 – Married Captain Mark Phillips (The Royal Family (official biography))
• 1977 – Birth of son Peter Phillips (The Royal Family (official biography))
• 1981 – Birth of daughter Zara Tindall (The Royal Family (official biography))
• 1987 – Appointed Princess Royal (Britannica (biography))
• 1992 – Divorced Mark Phillips; married Sir Timothy Laurence (The Royal Family (official biography))
• 2022 – Death of Queen Elizabeth II; Anne walked in funeral procession (The Royal Family (role in funeral))

These milestones mark Anne’s journey from royal birth to senior stateswoman.

“I’m not a great believer in sitting around and talking about it.”

— Princess Anne, in an interview, quoted by The Royal Family (official biography)

“She is seen as the hardest-working royal, which resonates with the public.”

— Royal commentator, cited in Britannica (biography)

For the British public, the takeaway is clear: Anne’s work ethic keeps her among the most admired royals, while other family members’ scandals erode their standing. Her steady approach secures her place as a trusted figure in the monarchy.

Frequently asked questions

These answers address the most common curiosities about Princess Anne.