Former Royal chef Darren McGrady has shared a story about Princess Anne's razor-sharp wit, recalling an incident involving the Princess Royal and an "RAF gentleman" following a flight to Balmoral. McGrady, who cooked for Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales and Princes William and Harry for fifteen years, described Anne as "fantastic", comparing her sense of humour to that of her late father, Prince Philip.
The exchange on the aircraft steps
Speaking to Heart Bingo, McGrady recounted the moment he witnessed the exchange as he was "coming down the steps" from the aircraft. "There was an RAF gentleman greeting her. He said good afternoon and asked how the flight was. She was having none of it. She just said: 'Have you ever flown before?'"
"He replied: 'Well yes, Your Royal Highness,' and she just replied, 'Well, it was just like that'." McGrady added: "I adore the Princess Royal; I think she's fantastic. She has Prince Philip's sense of humour."
Anne's dedication and stamina
Despite reaching her 76th birthday this month, Anne has maintained her status as the Royal Family's most hardworking member. Throughout the previous year, she carried out 474 official engagements, exceeding even King Charles in her commitments.
In another story, Tanya Curry, chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, shared an insight into Anne's "stamina" during a royal visit to Leeds Rhinos alongside the late rugby player Rob Burrow and his family. Speaking to Hello! magazine, she said: "The stamina that she brings, mentally and physically, is amazing. I asked her if she wanted to take the lift or the stairs. She was up the stairs, as a security guard described, like a mountain goat."
Curry added: "I was trying to keep up with her and have a conversation and not be out of breath, and it was all just in her stride. She walks into a room and lights it up." The Princess Royal, who champions more than 400 charitable causes and organisations, brought together a number of them at a Buckingham Palace gathering earlier this year, with reports suggesting this was the only way she wished to celebrate her birthday.
