Known for her straightforward approach, Princess Anne offered rare insights into the evolving demands of royal life, particularly for younger members like the Princess of Wales.
In the 2020 documentary Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, which marked her milestone birthday, King Charles’ sister reflected on how royal duties have become more challenging over the years. She highlighted the increased media scrutiny that modern royals face compared to her early days in the spotlight.
“The pressure on the younger members of the family is always greater. That’s what the media focuses on,” Princess Anne explained. “That can be difficult to handle. There was no social media in my day, and it’s probably made things even harder.”
Anne also touched on the impact of digital technology on royal engagements, acknowledging both its benefits and limitations. “With online technology, staying connected is one thing, but it’s not quite the same. Meeting people in person—that’s what really makes a difference,” she noted.
Sharing her personal views on social media, she added: “I know what Twitter is, but I wouldn’t go anywhere near it even if you paid me. But that’s another matter entirely.”
Last month, Princess Anne provided a glimpse into her future plans, revealing that retirement isn’t part of her agenda. During the royal family’s first foreign tour of the year—a visit to South Africa—she made it clear that stepping back from royal duties isn’t something she’s considering.
When asked if retirement was an option, the Princess Royal responded: “It really isn’t written in, no. It isn’t really an option, no, I don’t think so.” She further told the PA news agency, “I don’t think there’s a retirement programme for this particular life.”
Renowned as the hardest-working royal, the 74-year-old has been a steadfast figure within King Charles’ streamlined monarchy, especially as she supports him through his cancer treatment.
Since her first public engagement in 1969 at the age of 18—opening an educational and training centre in Shropshire—Princess Anne has dedicated her life to royal service. A year later, she began her longest-running charity role as president of Save the Children, later becoming its patron.
