Why Princess Anne waited 36 years for royal title from Queen

Princess Anne holds a unique position within the British Royal Family as the Princess Royal, a prestigious title bestowed upon her by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, it is noteworthy that Princess Anne had to wait an extended period of 36 years before receiving this esteemed honor.

Born as the daughter of the then-Princess Elizabeth, Anne was granted the title of Princess upon her birth, as her mother would later ascend to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. Unlike her three brothers, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, Princess Anne did not receive a new royal title on the occasion of her wedding day. It was not until nearly four decades later that the Queen eventually conferred upon her the distinguished title of Princess Royal.

The reason behind Princess Anne’s lack of a new title upon her marriage to Captain Mark Phillips in 1973 is believed to be rooted in a personal choice. Although the Queen is thought to have offered Anne and her husband a title, it is widely believed that they respectfully declined the offer. Consequently, their two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, were born without royal titles as well.

This decision reflects Princess Anne’s commitment to a more understated approach to royal life, eschewing the pomp and circumstance associated with additional titles. Her eventual acceptance of the Princess Royal title, however, signifies the recognition of her unwavering dedication to her royal duties and her esteemed position within the monarchy.

Under the Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917, only the children of the monarch and the grandchildren through the male line are eligible for Prince and Princess titles. Consequently, as the grandchildren of the monarch through the female line, Peter and Zara were simply titled Master and Miss.

Zara, the sports star, has spoken warmly of her parents’ decision not to bestow titles upon them, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to grow up and engage in various activities without the constraints of a title.

The Princess Royal title holds a unique distinction within the British Royal Family, with its origins dating back to the 1600s. Traditionally, it is bestowed upon the eldest daughter of the reigning sovereign and is a lifelong title. The previous holder before Anne was Princess Mary, the sister of King George VI.

Upon Princess Mary’s passing in 1965, the title became vacant until it was conferred upon Princess Anne in 1987, when she was 36 years old. The reason for the delay in Anne receiving the title was due to the fact that the Princess Royal title is not an automatic appointment.

The allocation of the Princess Royal title, similar to the Prince of Wales title, is at the discretion of the reigning monarch. While certain royal titles are inherited through the male line, the Princess Royal title is not automatically passed down. Upon the death of the current Princess Royal, Princess Anne, her title will revert back to the Crown and will not be inherited by her daughter, Zara Tindall. The next holder of the Princess Royal title is likely to be Princess Charlotte, as she will eventually become the only daughter of a King when her father, Prince William, ascends the throne.