Prince Philip's 'Sweetie': The Endearing Nickname for Princess Anne and Her Fatherly Support
ROYAL SHOCKER: Princess Anne Turns 75, But Will Miss Beloved Father Prince Philip Who's No Longer with Us
In a bittersweet celebration, Princess Anne marked her 75th birthday today, but unfortunately, she won't be able to share the special day with her beloved father, Prince Philip. The close bond between the two royals was renowned among family friends, who even claimed that Philip had a soft spot for his eldest child.
In an exclusive revelation, it's been revealed that Prince Philip had a secret nickname for Anne – "sweetie"! This adorable term of endearment was showcased in Season 3 of The Crown, where Tobias Menzies played the Duke of Edinburgh. In one poignant scene, Philip is seen using the intercom to call out to someone, but when asked who he's trying to reach, he responds with a sly smile: "I'm not sweetie, I'm darling or cabbage. Someone else is sweetie." And, in a heartwarming moment, it's revealed that Philip was actually calling for his daughter Anne!
Insiders claim that this nickname wasn't just a TV fabrication – Prince Philip genuinely used it to refer to his beloved Anne. Mike Parker, a close friend of the royal family, shared with The Scholarly Note (in 2017) that Philip and Anne's bond was so strong because "Anne is very much like Philip" – they both share a love for sports and are among the hardest-working members of the royal family.
But what's even more remarkable about their relationship is how Philip supported his daughter through thick and thin. When Anne's first marriage to Mark Phillips hit rocky roads, Philip was reportedly devastated but couldn't help but offer words of encouragement. As Gyles Brandreth revealed in his biography "Philip: The Final Portrait", Prince Philip confided in him, saying: "What can you do? It isn't easy. She tried to make it work. She really did."
When Anne remarried and had a 'rocky patch' with her second husband, Tim Laurence, Philip couldn't help but express his concern. According to Brandreth, the Duke of Edinburgh admitted to him at a charity lunch: "I don't know what to do to help. He shook his head." It's clear that Prince Philip was deeply invested in his daughter's happiness and well-being.
Following Prince Philip's passing in April 2021, Princess Anne paid tribute to her father, describing him as her "teacher, supporter, and critic". She wrote: "You know it's going to happen but you are never really ready. My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic... His example of a life well-lived and service freely given is what I most wanted to emulate."
But it seems that even on her special day, Princess Anne prefers to keep things low-key. In an exclusive revelation, experts claim that the notoriously private royal has a strict "no-frills" approach to birthday celebrations – only marking major milestones with zero as the final digit (i.e., 25th, 30th, 75th). Roya Nikkhah, a royal expert on The Royals with Roya and Kate podcast, revealed: "Anne's policy is: 'I will do things for my birthdays that have a zero, but I won't do things for my birthdays that have a five.'" She even cancelled meetings in the run-up to her big day to avoid discussions about how she'd celebrate!
So while Princess Anne marks another significant milestone today without her beloved father by her side, fans are left wondering what's next for this remarkable royal. Will we see her celebrate her 80th birthday in style? Only time will tell!
