Princess Anne, known as the Princess Royal, continues to defy expectations following a serious accident last year that left her with a concussion. Even with this major blow, she did not disappoint in 2022, further solidifying her image as the most dedicated royal. In fact, her astounding 474 engagements put her ahead of King Charles III—who ranked third—with 372 engagements. As the Princess gears up for her milestone 75th birthday, she intends to start phasing down her royal duties. This decision speaks to how she sees her late father’s legacy.
In summer 2022, Princess Anne suffered a serious fall at her Gatcombe Park estate, requiring treatment for a concussion. Remarkably, she was back to her public duties in just three weeks. This was in spite of taking a new black eye during that stretch. She has written that she does not remember the incident, marking her clear recognition of the severity of the act.
“I did not remember a single thing,” – Press Association via Princess Anne
In recent remarks, Princess Anne reflected on her recovery and the importance of maintaining mental clarity after such an ordeal. She shared, “You’re jolly lucky … if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis, and last summer I was very close to not being.” These comments underscore not only her admirable character, but as anyone who’s followed this story can attest, the gravity of her injury.
One person close to Princess Anne told TFK that her recovery was tougher than the public understood.
“Her accident was so much worse than anyone let on, and it took quite a while for her to feel herself again.” – source: “The Times”
And even considering the many hardships that she endured, Princess Anne seems like she’s in no mood to retire just yet. She had not ridden in public since her fall during last year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony until recently. This first public appearance further highlights her dedication to her royal responsibilities and shows her desire to defy adversity by staying active on the job.
Princess Anne has just released a plan for the future. She intends to keep up her hectic pace through 79, and then slow down only after she turns 80. She is, of course, very keen to continue the legacy of her late father, the Duke of Edinburgh. By her 90th birthday, she has said she will retire from all public appearances.
“She has said her plan is to push on [with work] until she is 80, then start winding down a bit, and then copy the [late] Duke of Edinburgh and wind down completely at 90.” – source
In conversation, Princess Anne’s no-nonsense approach to life gives way to an unexpected romanticism as she waxes philosophical about her years. One day at a time, they say. She added, “Each day is a gift, and I experience that gift every day in a really profound way.”
