They’ve always been close

Princess Anne has expressed her gratitude to her brother King Charles ahead of her 75th birthday in August.

The Princess Royal, who is 20 months younger than her older sibling, hosted over 100 charities at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

And during Thursday’s (June 5) charities’ forum – as per the royal’s reported birthday request to have as many good causes present for a special gathering – Princess Anne also gave a glimpse of the tender bond she has with the monarch, as his only sister.
Anne features prominently alongside King Charles during Buckingham Palace balcony appearances (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Princess Anne delivers speech at palace event

Princess Anne has 400 patronages to her name. And according to a palace source, she wants to focus on the work of charities she supports, rather than blow out candles.

The insider is said to have said: “This personifies what Her Royal Highness cares about. She didn’t want to do anything for her birthday but bring her charities together to hear more about their work and how she can help them.”

Meanwhile, the private secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter told guests as they arrived at the the Palace’s ballroom: “There has been a significant amount of interest in HRH’s 75th birthday celebrations. As you are aware the princess has given decades of time and support to more than 400 charities and patronages.

“It probably won’t come as a surprise, given HRH’s commitment to you all, that the way the princess wants to celebrate this milestone is to replicate what she’s done on previous significant birthdays and hold this charities forum again to once again understand how she can help you, at a time when the third sector is facing unprecedented challenges and transformations.”

And in a speech to 216 guests from 111 organisations, Anne mentioned how she “had no choice” but to attend.
Princess Anne hailed her brother during charity event (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Princess Anne on ‘gratitude’ to King Charles

She joked: “You very kindly asked me to become patron of your organisations. So it’s an honour for me to have all of you here.”

Princess Anne also highlighted how pleasurable she find visiting charities, and discovering more about what they do.

And after she spoke at the podium following addresses from charity leaders, one executive told Princess Anne: “Your leadership… and encouragement to a group of charities that range in size, in location, in purpose, is quite extraordinary.”

Modestly, Princess Anne reflected on how her brother had helped facilitate the event.

We’re very fortunate that His Majesty has allowed us to use Buckingham Palace for this event.

She said: “I would just like to make the point that we’re very fortunate that His Majesty has allowed us to use Buckingham Palace for this event… And I need to say that!”

Princess Anne concluded by saying: “The responsibility and respect that you give to your own organisations, the people who work for you and your own beneficiaries, is perhaps the key to what makes you so important. Respect and responsibility. Thank you very much for doing what you do.”

According to reports, Princess Anne is not expected to mark her birthday publicly in any other manner.
King Charles and Princess Anne mourning during their mother’s funeral in September 2022 (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Are King Charles and Princess Anne close?

Reports across the decades have always indicated Princess Anne and King Charles have a close relationship.

Although she is quoted as saying they “fought like cats and dogs” while growing up, Princess Anne has been viewed as a key ally of her brother as monarch.

Additionally, he supported her when she was part of the 1976 Olympics team. And they are also said to have shared interests in horse riding, nature, sustainability and gardening.

King Charles previously revealed on Radio 4: “My sister and I had a little vegetable patch in the back of some border somewhere. We had great fun trying to grow tomatoes rather unsuccessfully and things like that.”

Furthermore, she has performed as Gold Stick in Waiting for King Charles during public occasions, including during his coronation in 2023. This honorary position involves acting as a ceremonial bodyguard to the sovereign.