It’s almost hard to believe that Princess Anne is 70. In a new series of portraits, taken at her Gloucestershire home Gatcombe Park in February by one of her favorite photographers, John Swannell, the Princess Royal shows she has lost none of the glamour that she was known for her in younger years. Resplendent in an emerald green silk brocade dress, dazzling in a white full length gown, and relaxed in her favorite casuals, Anne looks at ease, confident and happy in front of the camera.
Showing off the innate fashion sense that led Vogue editor Edward Enninful to describe her as “a true style icon,” Anne looks just as glamorous as she did a decade before and is certainly still as busy. The lockdown hasn’t stopped the royal from keeping in touch with her 300-plus charities, and she was one of the first senior royals to return to work when restrictions were lifted earlier this summer.
When the Queen’s only daughter sat down with Vanity Fair for an exclusive interview to mark her milestone birthday earlier this year, she revealed that she has no plans to slow down or retire now that she is 70. Joking that it wasn’t an option for her—“I don’t think retirement is quite the same (for me)”— she said adding that she planned to continue working for many more years to come.
In a rare TV interview to celebrate her birthday the Princess, who carries out around 500 engagements a year, also revealed how she has been frustrated by not being able to meet members of the public during the pandemic.
Since she was a teenager Anne has dedicated her life to serving the crown. She started a lifelong commitment to Save the Children when she was just 19 and went on to become patron of hundreds more charities and organizations. “She’s a true gem, one of the hardest working (royals) of them all,” one of her long-serving protection officers told me when I was shadowing the princess on a day of engagements earlier this year.
The princess, a horse lover and expert equestrian in her youth, has spent most of the lockdown at her Gloucestershire home where she rides her horses most mornings. It is, sources close to her say, what keeps her physically fit. She has also been able to enjoy plenty of time with her daughter Zara Tindall and son Peter Phillips and her grandchildren, who she has taught to ride horses.