King Charles trusts his sister implicitly. “She is the person the King has known longest,” royal commentator Wesley Kerr OBE previously told Tatler. “She can be relied on for complete discretion and unconditional love. Anne is wise, intelligent, incredibly plugged into the modern United Kingdom. She understands completely who and what has shaped him and is eager for him to succeed: for the sake of their beloved mum and dad and for country and Commonwealth.”
Zenouska Mowatt, Princess Alexandra’s granddaughter, added: “Ask anyone about the Princess Royal and there would be a resounding show of support for the dedication and hard work she puts into her role. She does it with such ease; she is an inspiration and a superhero figure, really.”
At the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Anne was given a starring role. As the newly crowned King and Queen left Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Carriage, they were followed by the Princess Royal on horseback, performing the prestigious ceremonial role of Gold-Stick-in-Waiting. She led 6,000 members of the armed forces from the Abbey, down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Earlier this year, new research detailed the Princess Royal has increased her already heavy workload this year amidst the health struggles of the King and Kate Middleton.
Princess Anne carried out 172 engagements between January and April 2024, taking on 31 per cent of all royal appearances in the first three months of the year. Of the 11 working royals, the princess is one of just three who have upped their engagement tally in 2024 compared with the first four months of 2023.
Famous for packing out her schedule to accommodate the pull of royal duties and appearances, Princess Anne’s energy reserves are notorious. It is said that she performed over 500 engagements last year. In recent days, she has attended the Royal Ascot, as well as Trooping the Colour, where she joined Prince Edward and Prince William on horseback during the parade.
