Princess Anne marks her 76th birthday today, August 15, 2026. The Princess Royal, the second child and only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, was born on August 15, 1950.
Anne has become a key member of the Royal Family, with fans describing her as the “best Queen we never had” and dubbing her the Firm’s “secret weapon” for her devotion to duty.
Early Life and Birth
Anne was born at Clarence House, not Buckingham Palace, because the palace was undergoing renovations after World War 2 damage. The family had moved to Clarence House in 1949. After the birth, Prince Philip reportedly said: “It's the sweetest girl.” Her christening took place in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace on October 21.
Father’s Favourite
Anne was often called the late Duke of Edinburgh’s “favourite” child among his children, King Charles, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince Edward. Eileen Parker, wife of Philip's close friend Mike Parker, told the Daily Mail: “[Philip] always had more fun with Anne. Charles is more like the Queen, while Anne is very like Prince Philip.”
Royal Childhood and Equestrian Career
According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Anne recalled: “They were supportive and never really quibbled about what you wanted to do. There were occasional comments like - 'Was that really a good idea?' I don't think that any of us for a second thought that she [the Queen] didn't care for us in the same way as any other mother did.”
Anne is known for her love of horses and was an accomplished equestrian. She competed at the Cookham Horse Trials in March 1972. Her participation in the Olympics in Canada in 1976 made her the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Games.
Wedding and Family
At 21, Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in November 1973 at Westminster Abbey. The wedding was watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide. She wore a high-necked gown by Susan Small and Queen Mary's Fringe tiara, which the late Queen also wore on her wedding day. The couple had two children, Peter and Zara, before separating in 1989.
