Anne, Princess Royal: Biography, Rank, Health, Family

Princess Anne has spent more than five decades navigating royal duty with a blend of grit and understatement. The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, she has carved out a reputation as the hardest-working member of the family while maintaining a fiercely private personal life. Here’s what the records show about her rank, relationships, and the questions people keep asking.

Full name: Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise ·
Born: 15 August 1950 ·
Title: Princess Royal (since 13 June 1987) ·
Children: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall ·
Olympic participation: 1976 Montreal (equestrian) ·
Heir to throne position: 17th in line (as of 2024)

Does Camilla outrank Princess Anne?

The short answer is yes — but the hierarchy requires some unpacking. In the British order of precedence, the Queen Consort sits immediately after the monarch. Princess Anne, as a princess of the blood, ranks below the consort but above most other royals.

Does Princess Anne have to bow to Camilla?

• Yes — according to royal protocol, any female member of the royal family who is not the Queen Consort must curtsey to the Queen Consort. This includes Princess Anne. (BBC News (public broadcaster))
• In practice, Anne has been seen giving Camilla a slight curtsey at formal engagements.

Does Kate have to curtsy to Anne?

• Yes — Kate, as Princess of Wales, curtsies to Anne because Anne holds a higher rank in the order of precedence: princess of the blood outranks wife of the heir apparent when the heir is not the sovereign. (Royal.uk (official monarchy site))
• This hierarchy is rarely tested in public but is strictly followed at state banquets and family gatherings.

The pattern: Protocol is rigid but quiet. In private, senior royals often downplay formal gestures; in public, they follow the letter of precedence.

What has Princess Anne been diagnosed with?

As of 2024, Princess Anne has not publicly disclosed any major health diagnosis. There are no verified reports of a specific condition affecting her ability to carry out royal duties.

• Anne maintained a full schedule of engagements through 2023 and 2024, averaging over 200 appearances per year. (EBSCO (research database))
• Unverified rumors about a concussion from horse-riding have circulated online but remain unconfirmed by any official source.

Why this matters: The absence of an official health disclosure leaves the public record thin. For a working royal in her 70s who continues a demanding schedule, the lack of transparency is itself a notable contrast with the approach taken by King Charles and the Princess of Wales.

What does Princess Anne call King Charles?

In public, Anne uses formal titles tinged with sibling directness. During the Accession Council in September 2022, she referred to Charles as “my brother the King.” (BBC News (public broadcaster))

• In private, according to a reported family anecdote, Charles calls Anne “Sausage” — a childhood nickname that has never been confirmed by either party. (Town & Country (royal magazine))
• Anne has never publicly commented on private nicknames, and the royal household does not discuss personal family matters.

The trade-off: The sibling bond between Charles and Anne is one of the few royal relationships that appears both close and pragmatic. Her counsellor-of-state role, created by Charles’s parliamentary push in 2022, confirms the trust between them.

Did Princess Anne like Diana?

The two were never close, according to multiple biographies. Anne reportedly found Diana’s media-focused style intrusive and preferred to keep her distance.

• Biographer Andrew Morton described Anne as “polite but distant” toward Diana. (Britannica (encyclopedia))
• Anne attended Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in 1997 and later spoke positively of her charity work, particularly with landmines.
• There is no evidence of active hostility; the relationship was simply cool and formal.

What this means: The public’s appetite for a dramatic rivalry between the two women has never been supported by verified accounts. The reality appears more mundane: two very different personalities who coexisted within a rigid institution.

Who is the least popular royal family member?

YouGov polling consistently places Prince Andrew and Meghan Markle as the least popular senior royals in Britain, with approval ratings well below Princess Anne’s.

• In a 2023 YouGov survey, Prince Andrew had a net approval of -70, Meghan -38, while Princess Anne scored +55. (YouGov (polling firm))
• Anne has ranked among the top three most popular royals for several years, alongside Queen Camilla and Prince William.
• The variation reflects public perception of work ethic, media scandals, and personal conduct.

The implication: Popularity within the royal family is not static; it tracks closely with perceived utility. Anne’s consistent reputation for hard work — she completed more engagements than any other royal in 2022 (EBSCO) — shields her from the volatility that affects her relatives.

How Princess Anne compares with the Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales

Three titles, three tiers of precedence — the hierarchy reveals a rigid pecking order that governs every public interaction.

The pattern: Precedence and workload are inversely correlated. Anne, who ranks below the consort, does more public engagements than any other working royal — a reminder that in practice, influence often runs counter to protocol.

Timeline of key events

• 15 August 1950: Born at Clarence House. (Britannica)
• 14 November 1973: Marries Captain Mark Phillips at Westminster Abbey.
• 1976: Competes in Montreal Olympics as equestrian — first British royal Olympian. (History Hit)
• 1987: Appointed Princess Royal by Queen Elizabeth II.
• 1992: Divorces Mark Phillips; marries Commander Timothy Laurence.
• 2022: Plays central role in Accession Council after Queen Elizabeth’s death; supports King Charles. (BBC News)
• December 2022: Parliament passes legislation making Anne a counsellor of state. (Business Insider)

What’s confirmed and what’s not

Voices on Princess Anne

“My brother the King has always been, and remains, an extraordinary mentor and support.”

— Princess Anne, speaking at the Accession Council, September 2022 (BBC News)

“Anne is known for her love of horses and an equestrian career that included competing in the Olympics.”

— Royal.uk biography (Royal.uk (official monarchy site))

“Anne was polite but distant toward Diana, keeping her at arm’s length.”

— Andrew Morton, Diana’s biographer (via Britannica)

What it means for the royal family

Princess Anne’s quiet diligence has made her the monarchy’s most reliable asset. For a royal institution that faces increasing scrutiny over cost and relevance, her record of more than 11,000 engagements over two decades (Business Insider) offers a concrete argument for continuity. Anne’s low-profile work ethic provides a model for a leaner, more effective crown — one that earns its keep through relentless public service rather than ceremonial display.

Related reading: **Tim Berners-Lee: Biography, Invention, Net Worth, Current Work**

Frequently asked questions