Since the ascension of Charles III to the throne of England, Princess Anne, 72, has been gaining prominence in the British monarchy. During the reign of her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the only daughter of the royal couple worked quietly in the background, but her hard work for the institution has finally been recognized by her brother.
The close bond between Charles and Anne has been evident since childhood, and over the years, this bond has strengthened, making her a mainstay for Charles III during his first year on the throne.
Article summary
Princess Anne’s Role in the Royal Family
Princess Anne, Charles III’s only sister, has an unwavering passion for her older brother and is willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to ensure his well-being.
In 2022, Anne attended a total of 214 official events, a remarkable figure compared to the 143 engagements at which the king was present.
Over the years, Anne has accepted numerous trips and responsibilities that were originally intended for other members of the family but, due to scheduling issues, ended up being taken on by her. These acts have been recognized and valued now that Charles is on the throne.
Princess Anne plays a key role as an advisor to the King, as does her brother, Prince Edward, whom she has elevated in the monarchical hierarchy by granting him the title of Duke of Edinburgh. This noble title previously belonged to her late father, Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
During the coronation ceremony held on May 6 of this year, Charles III decided to grant his sister a symbolic position that highlights the importance of her role within the Royal Family. The King appointed Princess Anne as “Gold-Stick-in-Waiting,” making her the first woman in the United Kingdom to hold that position, which has traditionally been held by men.
The role of Gold-Stick-in-Waiting dates back to the Tudor dynasty in the 15th century when the next monarch had to choose two elite officers: the “Gold-Stick” and the “Silver-Stick.” Their responsibility was to ensure the safety of the sovereign during the coronation ceremony. Although nowadays the king’s life is not in the same danger as in the past, this role holds purely honorary significance.
During the procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, Princess Anne had the honor of following the carriage of Charles III and Camilla. In turn, a detachment of the Armed Forces accompanied the royal procession.
Anne has also accompanied Charles during these last tumultuous months, marked by family tensions generated by the statements of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Currently, the Windsor Family holds a considerably different stance from that of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which has brought numerous challenges to Charles III. However, Anne has always been there to support him.
Princess Anne colonel of the Blues and Royals army
Princess Anne, serving as the colonel of the Blues and Royals army, will join King Charles III at Buckingham Palace this Thursday to present the new sovereign’s standard to The Blues and Royals.
This event, taking place inside the palace, will feature 35 service personnel and 27 mounted military personnel in the parade held in the Quadrangle at Buckingham Palace.
This presentation is a tradition that usually takes place every decade, with the last one occurring in May 2014 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.
