A heartwarming moment involving Princess Anne at the royal family's traditional Christmas Day walkabout in Sandringham has captured the public's affection, with many praising the Princess Royal for her characteristically humble and witty demeanour.
A Surprise Gesture on Christmas Morning
The scene unfolded outside St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where members of the royal family traditionally greet well-wishers after the Christmas service. Princess Anne, 75, was walking alongside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, when a member of the public called out to her.
A video clip, first shared on the King's Guards and Horse UK YouTube channel and later viewed over 1.5 million times on X, shows the moment the unsuspecting royal turned in surprise. The fan was holding out a bouquet of yellow roses intended for Anne.
In a typically self-effacing response, Anne was heard replying, "Are you sure? I'm probably the last person standing," before graciously stepping forward to accept the flowers. The admirer explained that she considered Anne her first priority every year and had chosen yellow roses because Anne's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was fond of the colour.
Anne's Quick Wit Shines Through
Demonstrating the sharp wit for which she is known, Princess Anne promptly lightened the moment with a humorous quip. "You didn't pick these yourself, did you?" she asked the fan, adding with a laugh, "I was going to say, your garden is doing better than mine!"
As the well-wisher began to fumble over her words, Anne put her completely at ease by laughing off her own joke and offering sincere thanks once more. The Princess Royal, who recycled a festive red coat for the occasion, has long been regarded as one of the monarchy's hardest-working members, often avoiding the spotlight.
Public Praise for a 'Down-to-Earth' Royal
The viral clip sparked an outpouring of admiration for Anne on social media. Fans were quick to commend her relatable and unpretentious attitude.
One supporter wrote, 'Princess Anne is humble and lovely,' while another declared, 'She'll always be first in my book too, wonderful down-to-earth, hard-working lady.' Others highlighted her dedicated work ethic, with a comment reading, 'She deserves absolutely lots of bunches - she works super hard without seeking popularity.'
Many felt her contributions are underrated. 'I think she's marvellous and doesn't get enough credit for all she does,' one person noted. This sentiment was echoed by another who stated, "More flowers for Princess Anne. She's fabulous and needs more acknowledgement. I believe it is *her* who is the one holding the royal family together."
The gathering at Sandringham on December 25 was led by King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, who also wore a bright red coat. They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, who was delighted with a giant box of Lindt chocolates from a fan.
Princess Beatrice and Eugenie made a surprise appearance, while the Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson were absent from the festivities. Following the hour-long church service, the family gathered for a private lunch hosted by the King.
