Princess Anne has said that being a royal is harder for younger members of the family, such as Princess Catherine, than it was for her. In a 2020 interview marking her 70th birthday, the Princess Royal, now 76, spoke candidly about how royal life has changed over the years, particularly with the rise of social media.
Social Media Pressure on Younger Royals
While Anne did not have to contend with social media in her early days as a working royal, she acknowledged that it has added pressure for the current generation. She said: "The pressure that is applied to the younger members of the family, it's always worse."
She added: "That's what the media is interested in. That's hard sometimes to deal with. But there was no social media in my day, and it's probably made it more difficult."
Anne's Views on Technology
The Princess Royal also shared her broader views on technology and online communication. She said: "With online technology... being in touch is one thing, but it's not quite the same. The ability to meet people, that's what makes the difference."
She remarked on her personal stance toward social platforms: "I know what Twitter (now X) is, but I wouldn't go anywhere near it if you paid me frankly. But that's a slightly different issue."
Continuing Royal Duties
Despite living in the age of social media, Anne appears undeterred by it. She continues to carry out her royal duties, a role she is expected to maintain well into old age.
