Princess Anne politely declined the chance to learn how to rap during an investiture ceremony at St James's Palace on Thursday. The 75-year-old Princess Royal was presenting an MBE to Bhishma Asare, an English teacher and longtime rapper, for his services to education and mental health awareness.
Mr Asare, who founded Rap Therapy to help young people express themselves creatively, recounted the exchange. He said: "I was explaining the process and saying that we get children to write about a specific emotion... Then I said to her 'Maybe I could teach you to rap?' She said she used to sing and that is about it." He added: "She kind of declined and said her time is up."
This is not the first time the Princess Royal has turned down a musical invitation. At a Windsor Castle investiture in 2024, organist and conductor Anna Lapwood asked if she had ever played the organ. Anne reportedly replied: "No, I haven't, I think it's a bit late." Ms Lapwood encouraged her, saying: "Oh, I think you can, I think you could do it, you should do it."
While Anne is known more for her sporting achievements, other members of the royal family are musically inclined. The Princess of Wales recently performed a piano duet with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, during a special carol service recording at Windsor Castle. Kate gained grade three piano and grade five theory at school, while Charlotte has been taking piano lessons. Prince George is said to play guitar, and Prince Louis is learning drums.
King Charles learned to play the cello in his younger years, and the late Queen Elizabeth II began piano lessons at age 11. Anne, however, remains focused on her royal duties, often regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the family. In 2025, Charles topped the list with 532 engagements, followed by Anne with 478. The Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Edinburgh, Queen Camilla and the Duke of Gloucester also featured prominently.
