In pictures: Princess Anne in her younger years as she celebrates 75th birthday
Happy birthday to the Princess Royal!
Many happy returns to Princess Anne, who turns 75 today, and to mark the Princess Royal’s milestone birthday, Royal Insider has brought together stunning images ranging across from when the second child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip was a teenager until she was a younger woman.
Born on August 15, 1950, Princess Anne was third in line to the throne when she was born – behind her mother and elder brother, who is now King Charles. As it stands in 2025, Princess Anne is now 18th in the line of succession.
However, her role within the popular perception of the royal family as a hard-working, modest, and no-nonsense person has cemented her reputation as one of Britain’s most admired public figures. And as she enjoys a close and supportive relationship with her brother, it seems likely the high esteem she will be afforded for many years to come.
Pictures of Princess Anne from her younger years to mark her 75th birthday
Taken in 1967, when Princess Anne was 17, the picture below shows the Princess Royal cutting a fashionable figure.
Her bold hat and scarf ensemble match impeccably with her striking dress as she wears he hair down.
At the time, Princess Anne was still enrolled still boarding school Benenden School in Kent. She attended there between 1963 and 1968, leaving school with six O-levels and two A-levels.
She would began to fulfil royal engagements two years after this photo was shot, having turned 18.
Princess Anne in 1969
Flashing a dazzling smile, this image shows Princess Anne holidaying in Val-d’Isère, France – and ready to ski!
In subsequent years, Princess Anne has been pictured enjoying winter sports on many occasions, including with her daughter Zara Tindall.
The picture above of Princess Anne in another eye-catching piece of headwear is also from 1969.
She observed floats from the Festival Of London Stores Parade passing through London in May of that year.
Princess Anne in 1971
By her early 20s, Princess Anne – who became the first royal to compete at the Olympics – was building her reputation as a fine equestrian.
That led to her being voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1971.
Wedding to Mark Phillips in 1973
Princess Anne first met her first husband-to-be Mark Phillips in 1968. They became engaged in May 1973 and in November that same year, they wed. The picture above shows them on the Buckingham Palace balcony after a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, reportedly watched by 100 million people on TV.
The couple would go on to have two children together – Peter Phillips, born in 1977, and Zara, born in 1981. Sadly, however, their separation was confirmed in August 1989 before they divorced in April 1992.
Princess Anne would go on to marry Commander Tim Laurence, an equerry to her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in December 1992.
‘Horses in our Blood’
In May 1977, Princess Anne appeared in TV programme Horses in our Blood. She addressed how different breeds of horses have different qualities when it comes to eventing.
By this stage of her horse riding exploits, the Princess Royal had won the individual title at the European Eventing Championship and had won a silver medal in both individual and team disciplines at the 1975 European Eventing Championship.
She also took part in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, but suffered a concussion as she competed. Princess Anne remounted and carried on to finish the event. However, she has no memory of any of the jumps after sustaining the injury to her head.
Badminton horse trials
The Princess Royal’s love of horses, horse riding, and horse eventing has also seen her involved in the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials.
She placed fourth in 1974 and finished sixth in 1979, taking part five times between 1971 and 1979.
Derby day achievement
In 1985, the Princess Royal made her debut as a flat race jockey. She also rode in a charity event at the Epsom Derby, finishing fourth.
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In the ensuing years, her passion for horses has not dimmed. Not even after she was hospitalised in the summer 0f 2024 with a concussion that is thought to have been caused through an accident with a horse.
And it doesn’t sound like she intends to give them up, either. Asked earlier this year by an 11-year-old boy how many horses she has, Princess Anne replied with a smile: “More than I should have.”
Happy 75th birthday to the Princess Royal!
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