Princess Anne, long regarded as the hardest-working royal, is reportedly feeling the strain of her duties — and her frustration is quietly directed at her nephew, Prince William, amid the ongoing challenges facing the British royal family.
As she approaches her 75th birthday, the Princess Royal continues to uphold an impressive schedule, despite being nearly a decade past the typical retirement age. Sources close to the royal household say that Anne, while proud of Prince William and supportive of his future role as king, is growing weary of carrying out high-demand royal responsibilities— particularly when she feels some could be shared more equally.
Investiture Duties Causing Tension
One area of mounting tension appears to be Investitures — formal ceremonies where recipients of royal honours are presented with medals. These prestigious duties can only be carried out by three senior royals: King Charles, Prince William, and Princess Anne. With the King undergoing cancer treatment, the burden has shifted largely to Anne and William.
Despite Prince William residing at Windsor, Anne is still reportedly handling most of the Investiture ceremonies at the castle. An insider told local media, “She’s still doing most of the Investitures even though William lives there. It annoys her.”
Anne’s Reluctance Meets Royal Reality
Although the Princess Royal shares a warm relationship with William and is seen as one of his strongest supporters, her steadfast commitment to royal service is beginning to clash with her personal expectations. Sources claim Anne had hoped her nephew would take on more of the “bread-and-butter” royal engagements, allowing her some reprieve as she nears 75.
Meanwhile, Prince William is said to deeply admire his aunt’s dedication, but balancing royal responsibilities with his personal commitments — including caring for his wife Princess Kate, who is also undergoing cancer treatment — has made it increasingly difficult for him to absorb additional duties.
A Lifetime of Unmatched Devotion
Even now, Princess Anne continues to outpace every other royal in official engagements. In 2024, she carried out 474 engagements, surpassing King Charles’s 372. Her tireless devotion to crown and country has earned her the title of the monarchy’s most reliable figure — a trait deeply respected by both the public and the Firm.
In honor of her upcoming milestone birthday in August, the Royal Mint has issued a special silver £5 coin, engraved with the words: “The Princess Royal. Celebrating 75 Years. Duty and Devotion.” True to form, Anne has declined official portraits and media interviews, choosing instead to remain focused on her work.
The Future of the Monarchy
As the royal family faces a period of transition and reduced public appearances, the question remains: How long can Princess Anne continue to carry the load? With both King Charles and Princess Kate focusing on their health, and Prince William juggling a growing list of responsibilities, Anne’s legacy of unshakable service may become both a guiding example — and a gentle reminder — of what’s expected from the next generation of royal leadership.
