From Royal Trailblazer to Tudor Ties: Princess Anne at 75
PRINCESS ANNE: THE TRAILBLAZING ROYAL WHO DEFIED EXPECTATIONS
In a shocking display of independence, Princess Anne has been making waves within the Royal Family for decades. At just 75 years young, this feisty royal has proven that she's not one to be tied down by tradition or convention.
It all started in 1976 when Princess Anne made history by becoming the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the Olympics. She took part in the equestrian event at the Montreal Games, showing off her impressive skills and paving the way for future royals to participate in international competitions.
But what's really got tongues wagging is Anne's long-standing marriage to Sir Tim Laurence. The Princess Royal tied the knot with her dashing husband back in 1992, after a whirlwind romance that began when they met while serving on the Royal Yacht Britannia. What makes their love story even more fascinating is that it marked the first time a major royal had divorced and then remarried since Henry VIII's infamous union with Anne Boleyn in 1533.
As we all know, Anne's previous marriage to Mark Phillips ended in divorce in 1992 after nearly two decades together. But what's less well-known is that Princess Anne was actually the first royal to go through a divorce and then remarry since the Tudor era! Talk about making history!
But Anne's trailblazing doesn't stop there. This fearless royal has also been praised for her decision to give her children, Peter and Zara, relatively normal upbringings. In an era where royals were expected to be born with a title and live in opulent luxury, Princess Anne broke the mold by choosing not to bestow titles on her offspring.
According to royal insider Brian Hoey, Anne made this decision because she believed "in this day and age, a title would be more of a hindrance than an advantage" for her children. And it seems she was right – both Peter and Zara have gone on to lead successful lives outside the confines of palace protocol.
While Princess Anne's son Peter has still managed to rub shoulders with royalty (and even married into the family himself), his sister Zara has carved out a career as an equestrian athlete. And it seems she owes her success, in part, to her mother's unconventional parenting approach.
"Anne was very much involved with bringing up [Zara] and was never very far from her side," Hoey notes in his biography of the Princess Royal. "She wanted to give them as normal a life as possible, despite being members of the Royal Family."
And it seems Anne has succeeded – both Peter and Zara have led relatively low-key lives compared to their cousins, who continue to carry out royal duties with ease.
But what about Anne's own marriage to Sir Tim? Sources close to the couple reveal that they met while serving on the Royal Yacht Britannia, and quickly fell for each other. And it seems their love has stood the test of time – the couple has been married for over 30 years!
Of course, not everyone is a fan of Anne's unconventional approach to royal life. The Queen herself was reportedly "upset" by Anne's divorce from Mark Phillips, and even more so when she remarried Sir Tim.
According to author Robert Hardman's book, Queen of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen was particularly distressed by the divorces, which he describes as having caused her "deeply upsetting".
But Princess Anne has never been one to let tradition or expectation dictate her actions. And it seems she's not done breaking barriers just yet – with her long-standing marriage and devoted husband, Sir Tim, by her side.
As we celebrate this trailblazing royal's 75th birthday, it's clear that Princess Anne is still going strong. And who knows what the future holds for this fearless, independent, and unforgettable member of the Royal Family? Only time will tell!
