Princess Anne is widely recognised for her sharp wit, dry sense of humour, and tireless work ethic, but it appears there are certain activities she will not undertake—even if she would like to. The Princess Royal once declined an actress's invitation with an amusing seven-word response, according to reports.
A Memorable Rejection
British actress Rula Lenska, known for playing Claudia Colby on Coronation Street, extended the invitation after landing her hot-air balloon on the Princess's Gloucestershire estate, Gatcombe Park. Lenska, a qualified balloon pilot, recounted the encounter to The Mail's Richard Eden.
"We landed in Gatcombe Park and she said to me, 'Oh, I've always wanted to go up in one of those.' I said, 'Hop in, Ma'am, and I'll take you for a ride.' She said, 'I don't think Mummy would like it,'" Lenska shared.
The Princess Royal admitted she had "always wanted to" when presented with the opportunity, yet her response reflected her characteristic wit and awareness of royal protocol.
Anne's Reputation for Wit
Anne has earned a reputation not only for her steadfast work ethic but also for her fearless and humorous streak. This was notably demonstrated when, at age 23, she told a would-be kidnapper "not bloody likely."
The anecdote adds to a collection of stories illustrating the Princess's personality. For instance, she once gave her son-in-law, former rugby professional Mike Tindall, a telling-off after he defeated her beloved Scotland team in a match. Tindall, who married Anne's daughter Zara in 2011, recounted the incident to Closer magazine.
"Most fellas want to get something over on their mother-in-law. It's quite niche if you're the captain of the England team and you play Scotland at Twickenham and, when you win, you're receiving the trophy from your mother-in-law," Tindall said. He added that he kept her waiting while shaking hands with Rugby Football Union officials, prompting Anne to say, "Move on, Michael."
A Call to Slow Down
Elsewhere, Anne was recently urged to "slow down" by Second World War veteran Robert (Bob) Piper during The Not Forgotten Association's garden party at Buckingham Palace. The Princess Royal, widely regarded as one of the hardest-working royals, reportedly joked with the D-Day veteran as she met guests.
Robert told the Press Association: "I said to her, you know, she's got to slow down. She's done it so many years and she is a pro, she knows all the answers before you do." At the event, guests told the royal that she had "brought the sun." In response, the 75-year-old laughed and said that it's "never anything to do with me, I promise."
