Princess Anne Biography Quotes 4 Report mistakes

Early life and family
Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born on 15 August 1950 in London, the second child and only daughter of the future Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. From birth she occupied a visible place within the British royal family, growing up alongside her elder brother, the future King Charles III, and later her younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Her early years unfolded during her mother's accession to the throne in 1952, a transition that shaped the context of Anne's upbringing and the expectations placed upon her. She was known from childhood for a direct manner and strong sense of duty that reflected the example set by her parents.

Education and upbringing
Princess Anne was educated initially by governesses and at schools associated with the royal household before attending Benenden School in Kent. Her schooling combined academic study with sport, particularly riding, which became a central passion. While her lessons and activities were necessarily shaped by her public position, she was encouraged by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to pursue practical interests, independence, and service. That foundation would inform her later approach to work: prepared, brisk, and notably unsentimental.

Public role and charity
From a young age, Princess Anne accompanied her parents on engagements and developed a distinctive public role. She has long been recognized as one of the busiest members of the royal family, undertaking hundreds of engagements annually across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. In 1970 she became President of Save the Children, beginning a decades-long relationship with the charity that took her to field projects around the world. Her hands-on visits and detailed briefings established a pattern she would follow with many organizations, including those focused on health, maritime safety, agriculture, and education. She has also championed carers and founded the Princess Royal Trust for Carers (now Carers Trust) to support those providing unpaid care, reflecting her commitment to practical, often underrecognized social needs.

Equestrian career and sport
An accomplished horsewoman, Princess Anne rose to prominence in eventing during the late 1960s and early 1970s. She won the individual European title in 1971 and represented Great Britain at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, becoming the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympics. Her competitive experience lent authority to her subsequent advocacy for sport, safety, and youth participation. She later played an active role in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, helping represent the British Olympic Association and contributing to the organizing efforts that made the home Games a national focal point.

High-profile security incident
Her public life has been punctuated by moments that reinforced her image for composure under pressure. In March 1974, during an attempted kidnapping on The Mall in London, she remained calm and defiant as her car was forced to a halt and shots were fired. Her refusal to leave the vehicle, alongside the actions of her protection officers and passers-by, ended the attack and became a defining episode in her public story. The incident highlighted the risks attached to high-profile service and led to changes in royal security practices.

Marriage and children
Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips, a British Army officer and fellow equestrian, at Westminster Abbey in 1973. They made their home at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, where horses and country pursuits were part of family life. The couple had two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips (later Zara Tindall), who were born without royal titles by parental choice. Both children grew up closely connected to equestrian sport, with Zara becoming a world-class eventer. After separating, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips divorced in 1992. Later that year, she married Timothy Laurence, then a Royal Navy officer with whom she has shared a largely private, supportive partnership rooted in mutual respect and a preference for low-key living.

Role within the monarchy
In 1987, Queen Elizabeth II granted her the title The Princess Royal, a distinction traditionally bestowed on the monarch's eldest daughter. As Princess Royal, Anne has often been deployed on behalf of the sovereign, traveling extensively to represent the Crown at state funerals, independence anniversaries, and Commonwealth milestones. She has served as patron or president of a wide network of charities and professional bodies, and holds numerous honorary military appointments across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force, as well as in Commonwealth regiments. Throughout her mother's long reign and into the reign of her brother, King Charles III, she has been regarded as a reliable senior figure who absorbs complex briefing material and handles demanding itineraries with minimal fuss.

Work ethic and style
Princess Anne's approach to duty is frequently described as no-nonsense, punctual, and detail-oriented. She is known for tightly scheduled days, prepared questions, and a preference for engagements that show tangible outcomes, whether in rural skills training, shipyard apprenticeships, medical research, or emergency response. Her interactions with volunteers, engineers, nurses, and cadets often reveal a practical curiosity rather than ceremony for its own sake. That ethos, modeled in part on the example of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, has helped sustain public trust in her contributions.

Legacy and public image
Over several decades, Princess Anne has carved out a distinctive path that blends high-profile representation with sustained, technical charity work. She has been a central figure at family milestones and state occasions, yet she is equally associated with inspection tours of lifeboat stations, agricultural shows at Gatcombe Park, and international visits for Save the Children. Her children and their families, including Zara and her husband, former rugby international Mike Tindall, and Peter and his family, have kept the equestrian and sporting traditions close. In an era of evolving expectations around public roles, Anne's constancy, combined with a readiness to tackle unglamorous tasks, has made her one of the most respected and enduring presences in the contemporary British monarchy.

Our collection contains 4 quotes who is written by Princess, under the main topics: Witty One-Liners - Sarcastic - Dog - Pride.

Other people realated to Princess: Prince Charles (Royalty), Princess Margaret (Royalty), Elizabeth II (Royalty), Prince Andrew (Royalty)