Her brusque manner with the press is legendary, as is her characteristic bun.

Anne, The Princess Royal, is still the same straight-talking princess she has always been, even at age 60.

The second child of the Queen and Prince Philip was born August 15th, 1950. Anne’s claim to fame is her simple, no-nonsense approach to life and her hard work. Like her father, she has a disdainful approach to the press and shuns the limelight as often as possible. Anne simply dives in to her job, whether it’s traveling to Africa for her children’s charity or supporting her Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

The Queen’s strong sense of duty and thrift are also a large part of Anne’s makeup. Like the Queen, Anne never fussed about gowns or jewels, except when she was required to attend a formal royal event. Her true place was out in the country riding horses, attending to her dogs, or working on her schedule of royal duties.

When she married Captain Mark Phillips, a fellow equestrian, their children were not given titles. Anne’s reasoning was simple: it would keep them out of the limelight. As a princess, it was inevitable that Anne had to deal with the spotlight growing up, but she made sure that her children Peter and Zara would not feel any public pressure.

Anne’s natural grace on a horse has been passed on to her daughter Zara, who is currently training to join Britain’s Olympic team. Her son Peter and his wife are expecting their first child – Anne’s first grandchild and the Queen’s first great-grandchild – in December.

The princess’ family is happy, strong, and as down-to-earth as ever. I wish Her Royal Highness all the best for her birthday.

Recommended:

BBC Sport – The Princess Royal at 60
Anne at 60 – More Regal Than Mum?
Princess Anne Not Slowing Down

She’s been known for a few strong opinions of her own, but Britain’s Princess Anne is at the other end of the totem now.

Fashion designer Denise L’Estrange-Corbet took the opportunity to comment on the Princess’ fashion sense during Her Royal Highness’ low-profile visit to New Zealand. Anne was a guest of honor at an event held for New Zealand’s branch of Save the Children, of which the princess has been patron of for over 35 years.

The New Zealand Herald heaped catty scorn on Anne’s outfit, while the paper’s diarist also took a shot at her height! Then Ms. L’Estrange-Corbet delivered the coup de grace:

“She was as boring as ******* bat ****, is what she was,” she reportedly told the newspaper. “The world’s hairdressers at your beck and call and your hair looks like a cottage loaf! And personality minus! No wonder Diana left them all for dead”.

Not spending thousands of pounds a day on an outfit and her hair is probably what endears most of us to Princess Anne. Her straightforward approach and get-down-to-business style is what makes the princess all the more respectable.

My respect for The New Zealand Herald has dropped considerably. Grousing about someone’s hair and height is the epitome of adolescence.

Telegraph – NZ Designer Calls Princess Anne ‘Boring’

Peter Phillip’s christening with his mother, HRH Princess Anne and grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

Many happy congratulations to Peter Phillips upon his engagement. He is set to wed Autumn Kelly, native of Canada. Peter is the son of HRH Princess Anne and nephew of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Funny that I just mentioned Peter in this previous post as a candidate to represent monarchy in Canada. Now he’s marrying a Canadian. :) Wonderful news!

Click HERE for a spectacular photo gallery of King Harald’s birthday celebrations.

All of Europe’s major royals are in attendance, along with our own Princess Anne, the Princess Royal with her brother Prince Edward.

New portraits of Prince Charles and Princess Anne have been put in the portraits section of the gallery.

For a keen yachtswoman like Princess Anne, a trip on the legendary vessel Gipsy Moth was inevitably going to be the highlight of a trip Down Under. And the Queen’s only daughter looked suitably impressed as she joined its crew for a sail around stunning Sydney harbour.
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