Princess Anne: 5 Things To Know About King Charles’ Only Sister

There’s a lot more to Princess Anne than meets the eye. Ahead of King Charles’ coronation, let’s learn more about the Princess Royal (her unique title), here.

• Princess Anne is only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and late Prince Philip
• She has been married twice and shares two children with her first husband
• The Princess Royal made the guest list for her brother, King Charles’s, official Coronation ceremony

Princess Anne is in the spotlight once again as the Royal Family gets ready to celebrate her brother, King Charles III, taking over the British throne on May 6, as reported on their official Twitter. King Charles was declared the U.K. monarch on Sept. 10, 2022, two days after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The coronation will be his official crowning ceremony where his wife, Camilla, 75, will also be crowned as Queen Consort.

While Buckingham Palace is busy with preparations for the official Coronation ceremony, as seen on Instagram, fans are keeping a close watch on the guest list. With Queen Elizabeth and her late husband Prince Philip leaving four children and eight grandchildren in the line of succession, there are plenty of people to invite (as fans who are watching the latest season of The Crown know). Of course, the recent drama in the Palace might play a part in choosing attendees. Rest assured, however, Princess Anne has made the cut! Let’s find out more about her, below.

She’s The Second Child Of Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip

Princess Anne was born on Aug. 15, 1950 and is the daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and late Prince Philip. She is the younger sister to King Charles, who was first in line for the throne of England and older sister to Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Princess Anne Holds A Very Unique Title

While the Royal Family member is widely referred to as Princess Anne, she actually holds the title Princess Royal. As the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, she naturally received the title of Princess upon birth. However, in 1987, the Queen granted her the additional title of the Princess Royal. “It is a title that remains for life,” royal writer Duncan Larcombe told Town & Country.

She Once Foiled Her Own Kidnapping Plot

As royalists and fans of the famous family know all too well, Princess Anne has a very stern and fierce personality. So much so that in 1974, she stopped an attempt made by a 26-year-old man to kidnap her. Anne was being driven in a limo when a car swerved in front of her chauffeur. The young assailant got out of his car and began shooting at Anne’s guard, injuring a number of people. Once he was in the limo, himself, her would-be kidnapper tried to force her out of the car, but she wouldn’t budge. “It was all so infuriating; I kept saying I didn’t want to get out of the car, and I was not going to get out of the car,” she said, according to the BBC. “I nearly lost my temper with him, but I knew that if I did, I should hit him and he would shoot me.”

She Loves Equestrianism

Like many members of the Royal Family, Princess Anne loves to ride horses. But instead of polo, the royal is a big Equestrian rider and has enjoyed the sport since she was very young. In fact, in 1976, Princess Anne competed in the Olympic Games and rode one of her mother’s own horses. She now serves as the President of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Princess Anne Has Been Married Twice

During Anne’s time as a young royal, divorce was quite taboo and often looked down upon by the Royal Family. However, both she, and her brother Prince Charles and Prince Andrew along with her aunt Princess Margaret would each divorce their first spouses. Following her 19-year marriage to Mark Phillips, whom she had two children with (Zara Phillips and Peter Phillips), Princess Anne went on to marry Timothy Laurence in 1992 and they have been together since.