11 Pictures of Princess Anne Growing Up in the Royal Spotlight Over the Years

Giovana GelhorenSat, August 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC

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Princess AnneCredit: Getty ImagesTHE GIST -

King Charles’s only sister, Princess Anne, was born on August 15, 1950, to their parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.

Much like her siblings, Anne grew up in the spotlight and even got married in a televised ceremony in 1973.

Before becoming one of the hardest-working royals in the British royal family, she was also a champion equestrian, becoming the first British royal to ever compete in the Olympics.

While history has focused on King Charles’ life as the heir to the British throne, his sister, Princess Anne, has not only been a hardworking royal for decades, but has supported him every step of the way.

Born less than two years after her brother, Anne, the Princess Royal, was born on August 15, 1950, to her parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. At a young age, Anne set herself apart in her family because of her passion and talent for horseback riding. “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she isn’t interested,” Phillip once joked of his daughter, per People.

By age 23, Anne married her first husband, fellow equestrian champion Mark Phillips. During their marriage, they welcomed son Peter in 1977 and later daughter Zara in 1981. Anne and Phillips separated after 15 years of marriage in 1989 and divorced in April 1992 following infidelity on both sides. In December of that year, Anne married Sir Timothy Laurence, with whom she’d had an affair during her first marriage. The two have now been together for more than 33 years.

Beyond being a wife and mother, Anne has dedicated her life to her royal role. According to research from The Sunday Times, Anne has been declared the hardest-working royal for many years, including 2024, when she completed a whopping 474 official acts, and 2023, when she racked up 457 official engagements. In 2025, however, her brother moved her to second place as he completed 532 official acts, while she attended 478 engagements, per Vanity Fair.

Below, learn more about Princess Anne’s life and childhood through photos of her growing up in the royal spotlight.

01 of 11

Her First Royal Portrait in 1950

Princess Elizabeth and Princess AnneCredit: STF/AFP via Getty Images

Princess Anne was born on August 18, 1950. At the time, her mom was not yet Queen. It was, instead, her grandfather, King George VI, who sat in the throne.

02 of 11

Attending Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince PhilipCredit: Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Princess Anne looked decidedly confused as she stood next to her parents and her older brother at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation at Buckingham Palace, on June 2, 1953.

03 of 11

Posing for a Sweet Portrait in 1954

Princess AnneCredit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Just before turning four years old, Princess Anne showed just how photo-ready she was in this portrait of her holding flowers in the garden of the Royal Lodge, Windsor.

04 of 11

Embracing Her Inner Equestrian in 1959

Princess AnneCredit: Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

From a very young age, Princess Anne developed a love for horseback riding. In this 1959 photo, she’s seen riding her Welsh pony, Greensleeves, at Windsor.

In a 2019 interview, Anne talked about her love for the sport and how it’s about more than bonding with horses. “The observation that being on the back of an animal, small or large, can make a huge difference to mental and maybe physical wellbeing is as true today as it was then,” she said, per Hello!

05 of 11

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Being a Big Sister in 1960

The Queen Mother, ex-Prince Andrew and Princess AnneCredit: Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

In addition to Charles as her older brother, Anne is an older sister to younger brother ex-Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. In this 1960 photo alongside her grandmother, the Queen Mother, she’s seen entertaining Andrew with a flower.

06 of 11

Wearing Full Florals at the Trooping the Colour in 1963

Prince Philip and Princess AnneCredit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

At the 1963 Trooping the Colour, Anne looked beautiful in this baby blue dress with white flowers adorning her hair. She also looks adoringly at her father, Prince Phillip.

07 of 11

Showing Her Love for Arts in 1971

Princess AnneCredit: Michael Stroud/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Anne smiled from ear to ear in this photo of hers from March 4, 1971. On that day, she co-presented the Society of Film and Television Arts Awards (which was later renamed as the BAFTAs in 1976).

08 of 11

Competing and Riding in 1971

Princess AnneCredit: Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Anne’s love for horseback riding wasn’t just a hobby and became a career given how talented she was. Per Griggs Equestrian, her first major event win was in 1971 when she won the European Eventing Championship’s individual title, which led to her being voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Anne also became the first British royal to ever become an Olympian, competing in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. She placed 24th overall, while Britain came in 9th place in the Games.

Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2020, Anne explained that the sport was her way of making a career for herself outside of her royal duties. “I thought if I was going to do anything outside of the royal family, horses was likely to be the best way of doing it,” she said, noting that she “always knew it was going to be limited time.”

09 of 11

Officially Engaged in 1973

Princess Anne and Captain Mark PhillipsCredit: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

At just 22 years old, Anne announced her engagement to equestrian champion and later Army Captain Mark Phillips. The news was announced on May 30, 1973.

10 of 11

Representing Her Country in 1973

Princess AnneCredit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

While wedding planning was in full swing, Anne continued competing, including in this September 1973 dressage competition. She carried an air of sophistication, complete with a Union Jack pin on her jacket.

11 of 11

Married in 1973

Prince Edward, Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne and Lady Sarah Armstrong-JonesCredit: Corbis via Getty Images

Six months after her wedding announcement, Anne and Phillips tied the knot in a grand, televised occasion on November 14, 1973. The couple was married for 15 years before announcing their separation in August 1989. Their divorce was finalized on April 23, 1992.

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