Anne-tastic ...at 70
Olympic horsewoman, kidnap attempt survivor, Nobel Prize nominee... the Queen’s daughter, sparkling for a birthday milestone
WEARING a white gown, pearls and a broad smile, the Princess Royal is resplendent in a portrait taken to mark her 70th birthday today.
Looking relaxed and happy, Anne sits in a gold leaf chair for the image, taken at her Gatcombe Park home in Gloucestershire before lockdown.
For the picture she chose a Maureen Baker evening dress, Sue Palmer bolero jacket and bright red lipstick. In another image, a confident Anne wears an emerald green dress, also by Sue Palmer, and a gold ribbon knot brooch, set with 12 diamonds.
In a third picture, she may well be at her most comfortable – as she poses with a walking stick in front of a grand tree, in a roll neck jumper, lumberjack shirt and trousers.
The images were taken in late February by renowned portrait photographer John Swannell, who also took the official portraits of the Princess Royal on the occasions of her 40th, 50th and 60th birthdays.
The Queen’s only daughter is known for her hardworking, practical and unassuming approach to royal life.
She survived a kidnap attempt in 1974 and represented Great Bri Britain at the Olympic Games, alo alongside raising a family and sup supporting the Queen.
C Christened Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, she was born at Clarence House on August 15, 1950, the younger sister of the Prince of Wales.
Anne once remarked: ‘ As a young princess I was a huge disappointment to everyone concerned. It’s impractical to go around in life dressed in a long white dress and a crown.’
She was born third in line to the throne, but was leapfrogged by her younger brothers Andrew and Edward when they were born, and is now 14th in line. The rule that younger brothers could succeed before elder sisters no longer applies, following the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, but it was not backdated so did not affect Anne.
A skilled horsewoman, the princess was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1971 and in 1976 was in the British team at the Montreal Olympics.
She married fellow horseman Captain Mark Phillips in 1973 and they had two children, Peter and Zara. Anne decided they would not have royal titles.
In 1990 she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by president Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia for her work as president of the charity Save The Children.
The princess married her second husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, in 1992 after her first marriage ended in divorce after 19 years.
Now a grandmother, she regularly tops the league table for the number of engagements carried out by the royals.
She is said to be marking her birthday with a sailing trip around the west coast of Scotland with Sir Tim, and has been awarded promotions in her Armed Forces roles, becoming a general in the Army and an air chief marshal in the RAF.
‘Hardworking and practical’