Princess Anne told she's an 'absolute brick for the family' in sweet moment with veteran
The 75-year-old Princess Royal was praised for her work ethic
Princess Anne was praised as “an absolute brick for the family” by a 101-year-old veteran during a touching moment at a Christmas tea party hosted at St James’s Palace on Thursday (November 27) evening.
The event was held for The Not Forgotten Association, a charity that supports injured and ill veterans.
It brought together around 200 guests, including several centenarians, all of whom received a personal welcome from the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
Princess Anne praised by veteran
Among the guests was Dorothea Barron, a 101-year-old former member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service who served during World War II. Still active as a yoga instructor, Ms Barron spoke warmly of the princess’ dedication.
“I just told her what I think,” Ms Barron explained, as reported by GB News. “She is an absolute brick for the family. She’s practical, she’s down to earth, and she’s a damned hard worker.”
Ms Barron said she deeply respected Princess Anne’s tireless work ethic, especially as a mother and as someone who has remained true to the promises made by her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“[She] has kept the family’s promise, her mother’s promise, and works her socks off,” she added.
Princess Anne donned a floral dress, black blazer, pearl earrings and her signature beehive hairstyle. She warmly greeted guests across three rooms at the palace.
She and Sir Timothy moved from table to table, stopping to speak with each guest, many of whom had served across decades and branches of the military.
The tea party marked the princess’ continued commitment as patron of The Not Forgotten Association, a role she has held since 2000.
The charity was established after World War I. It currently supports more than 10,000 beneficiaries each year.
‘She always stops and chats’
The oldest guest was Frank Oldham, aged 106, a former member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The princess stopped to chat with him and his daughter.
Although some of the conversation was assisted by his daughter, Mr Oldham was clearly moved by the attention. He later described the experience as “just amazing”.
Another veteran, Ruth Barnwell, also 101, shared that she joined the WRNS at 17.
Ms Barnwell noted that this was her fourth meeting with the princess this year. “[She] always stops and chats,” she gushed. She added that her advice to young people would be: “Join the forces. [You] can learn so much.”
Princess Anne is often called the “hardest working royal”. The 75-year-old completed nearly 400 official engagements in 2024. This is despite recovering from injuries sustained in a horse-related accident earlier in the year.
She is a patron of more than 300 charities and organisations, and is widely respected for her no-nonsense attitude and unwavering dedication to public service.
Her conversation with Ms Barron captured exactly how many view the Princess Royal: steadfast, dependable, and a key pillar of the monarchy.
Read more: Princess Anne reflects on ‘remarkable milestone’ ahead of King Charles’ 77th birthday
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