Princess Royal: Princess Anne’s most famous title

Princess Anne, who celebrates her 75^th birthday today, holds many titles, but perhaps her most famous is that of Princess Royal.

Princess Royal is a title given at the discretion of the monarch to their eldest daughter and is the highest title a royal lady can be granted. As the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne has held this title since 13 June 1987.

In that week’s edition of The London Gazette, a supplement was added that read simply: “THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased to declare that Her Majesty’s Daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, Mrs. Mark Phillips, shall henceforth bear the style and title of PRINCESS ROYAL.”

Princess Anne became only the seventh royal princess to receive the title. Princess Royal is a title that dates back to the reign of King Charles I in 1642. His French wife, Queen Henrietta Maria, requested that they emulate the French court and have an equivalent title for daughters.

In the French court, the eldest daughter of the monarch was known as Madame Royale; hence, Charles I decided to use Princess Royal for the couple’s eldest daughter Princess Mary from 1642.

The title of Princess Royal is given at the discretion of the monarch to their eldest daughter and is not automatic in the way other titles are. There can only be one Princess Royal and it’s a title that’s held for the life of the holder, not the reign of the monarch. It’s also not automatically bestowed once the title becomes vacant. Princess Mary, Anne’s great-aunt, was deceased for 22 years before the title was given to Anne.

The seven Princess Royals are Princess Mary (who held the title until her death in 1660); Princess Anne, the daughter of King George II and Queen Caroline (who held the title between 1727-1759); Princess Charlotte, the daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte (who held the title between 1789-1828); Princess Victoria, the daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (who held the title between 1841-1901); Princess Louise, the daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (who held the title between 1905-1931); Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V and Queen Mary (who held the title between 1932-1965); and Princess Anne, who has held the title for 38 years.

The next royal princess eligible to receive the title of Princess Royal will be Princess Charlotte, the only daughter of Prince William and Catherine.

While this is Princess Anne’s only royal title, she holds several honours that are attached to her name. These include Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra Lady of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Dame Grand Cross and Grand Master of the Royal Victorian Order, Dame Grand Cross of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.