As the Princess Royal marks her 70th birthday, she is being celebrated, rightly, as a devoted supporter of many good causes as well as one of the hardest working members of the House of Windsor. But behind the dutiful public image is a happy family life that has seen Anne embrace the role of mother and grandmother with all her usual gusto. To celebrate her special birthday, Royal Central looks at the special moments in the family life of the Princess Royal.
[getty src=”599424533″ width=”396″ height=”594″ tld=”co.uk”]Princess Anne welcomed her first child, Peter Mark Andrew Phillips, on November 15th 1977. Peter, born at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, was the first grandchild of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and even though he had no title at birth, he was one of the most anticipated royal babies of the late 20th century.
[getty src=”174191793″ width=”594″ height=”430″ tld=”co.uk”]The Princess Royal and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, celebrated the birth of their second child, Zara Anne Elizabeth, on May 15th 1981. Here, Anne is seen taking her baby girl home from St. Mary’s Hospital a few days later.
[getty src=”90765185″ width=”420″ height=”594″ tld=”co.uk”]Peter and Zara were often seen at royal events and on holiday with the Queen and the rest of the Windsors. Here, Zara has a special hello for her great grandmother, the Queen Mother.
[getty src=”52117818″ width=”400″ height=”594″ tld=”co.uk”]Anne was keen to encourage a love of the outdoors and of horses in both her children from an early age. Their childhoods included many days out at equestrian events.
[getty src=”826600498″ width=”594″ height=”432″ tld=”co.uk”]Peter Phillips is a constant at his mother’s side at the many country events the two attend. They are often seen at horse shows and fetes, confiding in one another, and their bond appears to deepen with each passing year.
[getty src=”149579735″ width=”594″ height=”396″ tld=”co.uk”]One of the Princess Royal’s proudest moments as a mother came in 2012 when she watched Zara win silver at the London Olympics. Anne presented her daughter with her medal, a truly special time for both of them.
[getty src=”152038566″ width=”385″ height=”594″ tld=”co.uk”]The Princess Royal became a grandmother for the first time in December 2010 when Peter and Autumn Phillips welcomed a daughter, Savannah. For a royal with a reputation for being down to earth, Anne is a perhaps surprisingly doting granny and very hands on.
[getty src=”487777272″ width=”429″ height=”594″ tld=”co.uk”]Anne now has four granddaughters. Isla Phillips was born in 2012 while Zara and her husband, Mike Tindall, welcomed their first daughter, Mia, in 2014 with their second little girl, Lena, arriving in 2018. The Princess Royal, seen here with Savannah and Isla, clearly relishes her time with all four.
[getty src=”541531568″ width=”594″ height=”592″ tld=”co.uk”]The Princess Royal’s joy in her grandchildren is clear to see every time they are together.
[getty src=”844789818″ width=”594″ height=”502″ tld=”co.uk”]As she celebrates her 70th birthday, Anne is surrounded by the happiness that has come to her through her role as both mother and grandmother.
