King Charles shares birthday photo of baby Princess Anne
To commemorate Princess Anne's birthday, the official social media accounts of the monarchy posted two images – one captured at Buckingham Palace on May 6 at the King's Coronation, ceremony, with King Charles and his sister both adorned in regal attire, and the other of the siblings at a very young age.
In the Coronation picture, King Charles dons the resplendent Imperial State Crown, his purple satin coronation tunic, and the dignified Robe of Estate, offering a cheerful smile to his sister. Princess Anne, meanwhile, dressed in the uniform of the Colonel of the Blues and Royals, wears a striking red plumed hat and a military ensemble.
Personally appointed by her brother, King Charles, Princess Anne led a procession of 6,000 armed services personnel through London's streets in her capacity as "Gold-Stick-in Waiting" at the historic event - the first woman to fulfill this role of being responsible for the monarch's safety. This tradition traces its origins back to the 15th century, with the roles of Gold Stick and Silver Stick established to safeguard the monarch from harm.
However, it was the addition of the throwback image from the family archive that really turned heads: A snapshot from 1951, capturing a two-year-old Charles gently reaching over to clasp the hand of his nearly one-year-old sister Anne. This delightful moment crystallises their sibling bond.
This birthday holds a bittersweet sentiment for Princess Anne, as it marks her first celebration since the passing of her mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Often lauded as the hardest-working member of the royal family, Princess Anne has seamlessly resumed her commitments following the loss. As a part of King Charles' streamlined monarchy, she continues to contribute significantly. In her downtime, she retreats to Gatcombe Park estate, sharing proximity with her son Peter Phillips and daughter Zara Tindall, along with their families.
Image: Instagram