SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

DONATE NOW
British Royals

Princess Anne began birthday countdown at world famous event that’s turning 75 this summer too

By
7th August 2025
Princess Anne, The Princess Royal talks to soldiers during rehearsals for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which turns 75 in the same year as her.

The Princess Royal will celebrate her 75th birthday this summer and she began the final countdown to this milestone birthday with a visit to a world famous event that began life in the same year she did.

Princess Anne is a regular at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and she headed along to one of the rehearsals for this year’s spectacular show as both she and the parade prepared to turn 75.

A special role for Princess Anne at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Tattoo was first held in 1950, the year that Anne was born. She is now its patron.

The Princess nearly always attended preparations for the event to add her encouragement to those taking part in what has become a globally famous event.

The Tattoo brings together military from across the UK and the Commonwealth showcasing musical and artistic performance. Over 220,000 people attend in person every year while online and TV audiences run into millions.

Ahead of the opening of the Tattoo, which started on August 2nd this year, Princess Anne visited Redford Cavalry Barracks, Edinburgh to see rehearsals in action.

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal wearing aviator sunglasses as she meets military rehearsing for this year's Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Princess Anne chats to performers during rehearsals for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
(Mark Owens/ ©MOD Crown Copyright 2025)

The Princess chatted to performers and watched some of their rehearsals as the final countdown continued.

This year’s show includes pipers, drummers and musicians from The Scots Guards, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Royal Corps of Signals. There are also performances from The Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra and The Band of the Prince of Wales in the Tattoo which runs from August 2nd until August 24th.

There are also performances from military around the world in the show including the Band of the Polish Border Guard, Top Secret Drum Corps, United States Honour Guard Drill Team, Ukraine Naval Forces Orchestra and United States Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

Princess Anne chooses signature style

Anne chose tartan for her visit along with a mint green jacket and her signature aviator sunglasses.

It’s expected that the Princess will attend at least one of the shows at Edinburgh Castle as it continues her run.

Military mark out the shape of 75 at rehearsals for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo of which Princess Anne is patron
A spectacular moment from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo rehearsals
(Mark Owens/ ©MOD Crown Copyright 2025)

It may even be a birthday treat. Princess Anne celebrates her 75th on August 15th 2025. There are no formal plans announced for the day and the Royal Family will be attending a series of events around the UK for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two on the same day.

In the run up to Anne’s birthday, the Royal Mint has issued the first ever commemorative coin to bear her image.

Share:
About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra.Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024.June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station.June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.