It’s no surprise that Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, never fails to dazzle us. For the fourth year in a row, she is still the most hard-working royal. As of writing this, by the end of 2024 she’ll have done a stunning 395 engagements here in the UK and another 79 abroad. She is equally passionate about serving her royal duties. In the meantime, she’s lived as privately as possible at Gatcombe Park, her secluded estate in Gloucestershire.
Gatcombe Park, a sprawling 700-acre estate, was gifted to Princess Anne and her first husband, Mark Phillips, by her late mother in 1976. The estate includes five main bedrooms and four guest bedrooms. It features four reception rooms, a lending library, a billiard room, and a grand conservatory. Located just north of Gatcombe village, Princess Anne shares this very lovely abode with her second husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.
A History Marked by Resilience
Princess Anne’s existence has not been without its difficulties. Just four weeks after her 1974 wedding, this pioneer survived a kidnapping attempt that transfixed a nation. Yet, as she passed down The Mall, her chauffeur was forced to stop as a lorry blocked the road. Ian Ball got out his car and shot the chauffeur at the outset of the incident, seriously injuring four men altogether. Miraculously, Princess Anne came through this disturbing ordeal unscathed.
Looking back on her own family life, Princess Anne made the decision to deny her own children, Peter and Zara, royal titles. While she enjoys her new role, she says titles come with their own challenge. That’s all the more reason why her decision was so misguided.
“I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles.” – Princess Anne
A Life of Dedication and Service
Under the crown, Princess Anne has proved an unflagging sense of duty in the service of her people. This past year alone had her involved with over a dozen different charities and organizations, which is a true testament to her commitment to philanthropy. Her contributions to public service have earned her a reputation as one of the hardest working members of the royal family.
Princess Anne leads a humble life. Though Princess Anne’s schedule is packed, she lives an unpretentious life. She is known far and wide for her unpretentiousness. She insists that it only does that 10 to 15 minutes of styling time max to do her own hair. It only took actress Erin Doherty two hours to transform into her character—Royal Princess Anne—in the award-winning series The Crown. This amount of advance preparation time is a serious outlier.
Controversies and Challenges
Beyond her stellar engagements, Princess Anne has been involved in some notable controversies. In 2002, her English Bull Terrier mauled two young girls in Windsor Great Park. The attack led to her being convicted as the first senior royal in history under the Dangerous Dogs Act. She pleaded guilty in March of this year and got fined £500.
In the face of accomplishments and adversities, Princess Anne is an unsung but commendable character in the royal family’s pantheon. Today, her perseverance and dedication to the field of public service serves as an inspiration to countless Americans nationwide.
