Princess Anne Has Long Been Known for One Defining Trait — and It’s Not Just Her Work Ethic
The Princess Royal’s reputation has been built over decades.
Princess Anne has always been described as the working horse of the royal family, one who goes about her business and is generally known for her no-nonsense approach. She has consistently topped the list for the highest number of engagements carried out by any royal, until she was overtaken by King Charles in 2025, emerging as the second-most hardworking member of the family. But that is not her most redeeming quality, not glamourising the work she does, per an expert.
When asked if she ever considered retiring, Anne reportedly said she has never considered it an option. Speaking about her dedication, royal expert Katie Nicholl termed her the ‘backbone of the family,' per Woman and Home. She further went on to detail what she sees as “one of her biggest successes” of the Princess Royal, is that she has never tried to hover over the spotlight. "One of her biggest successes is that she's never tried to overshadow Charles," Katie said. "She has always just been there by his side as a pillar of strength, and she's like a hybrid of Elizabeth and Prince Philip in being no-fuss, not overly emotional and just getting on with the job."
The King and the Princess Royal have always shared a close bond. But with Charles positioned higher in the line of succession, Anne has never sought to draw attention away from him or to glamorise the work she does, choosing instead to carry out her duties quietly and without fuss.
She has treated her role in supporting the monarchy with seriousness, and His Majesty’s trust in her as a 'pillar of strength' has been evident. One of King Charles’s first significant decisions was to seek a change in legislation so that Princess Anne and Prince Edward could be added as Counsellors of State. Until then, the role was limited to the monarch’s spouse and the first four adults in the line of succession, who could step in if the King was abroad or unwell.
"It's not just about, 'Can I get a tick in the box for doing this?' No, it's about serving…. It comes from an example from both my parents' way of working and where they saw their role being. I mean, my father served. It was a more direct form of service, I suppose you could argue," she had said to Vanity Fair, in a rare interview to mark her 70th birthday. "And the Queen's has been a lifelong service in a slightly different way."
The Princess Royal, who turned 75 on August 15, even marked that milestone without any fanfare. Despite turning 75, Anne had reportedly told her close team that she has no intention of stepping back any time soon. Instead, she plans a gradual slowdown. “I’m going to start winding down a little bit at 80 in five years’ time… and then I want to step back completely at 90,” she is said to have shared. The timeline mirrors that of her late father, Prince Philip, who continued with public duties well into his nineties.
