Princess Anne wears festoon of diamonds in joyful birthday portrait

The Princess Royal has worn a festoon of diamonds as she begins celebrations for her 75th birthday.

With a week to go until Anne reaches three quarters of a century, the Princess has starred in an official birthday portrait and chosen one of her favourite tiaras for the moment.

Princess Anne was photographed ahead of the State Banquet for the President of France held at Windsor Castle in July and to which she wore the diamond Festoon tiara.

it’s a long-standing piece in her personal collection and one of her most familiar looks.

Historians believe that the delicate diamond diadem dates back to the early twentieth century but this has not been confirmed. 

In 1973, the World Wide Shipping Group gifted the tiara to Princess Anne ahead of her wedding. She wore the piece for pre-wedding portraits.

Now she’s chosen it for her 75th birthday portrait where she is shown with her second husband, Sir Tim Laurence.

The Diamond Festoon Tiara is a lighter piece, making it one of Anne’s favourite tiaras, especially in her younger years. 

The portrait was taken by Chris Jackson.

Princess Anne actually celebrates her 75th birthday on August 15th 2025. However, the portrait was shared a week before. The decision avoids a clash with a series of important events for the Royal Family with The King set to lead commemorations on the 15th for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.