Princess Anne 70th birthday programme on tonight

[Viviennemary]

I thought I'd start a thread on this since Princess Anne hardly seems to get much attention from the media which I bet she is quite grateful for. I just watched a clip of this and she is coming over in it very well. Not once over the years have I heard her complain about being second best to Charles or indeed her two brothers as they both take precedence over her in ranking and succession AFAIK. It's good she is getting a bit of the spotlight on her for a change.

Actually, yes, I shall watch the programme. I did think the same as you when I saw a clip....the fact that she came across very well and we hardly ever hear about her...or from her. She does a lot of good work and it's about time she shared a bit of the spotlight.

I'm planning on watching.

We all forget how deeply unpopular she was when she first started royal duties as a young adult, and it'll be interesting to see how much of that is covered

Thanks for the reminder, I've set to record as my priority is married at first sight

I will watch it in full. She's out every day visiting here and then after a long day out again at night to some charity dinner. Just meeting ordinary folk and doing what is expected. There's a lot to be said for that.

Very impressive. She would have made a great Monarch. Works very hard at 70 and genuinely cares about the causes she supports. Zara and Peter are refreshingly normal too.

She's my favourite Royal, hard working, no fuss, keeps her head down and just gets on with it. I'll be watching.

You can’t believe she’s related to Andrew with all his entitled, grabby ways.

Wouldn’t it be funny to hear what she had to say about Prince Andrew

Think she is coming over as nice and incredibly hard working.

I worked for one of her charities. All her speeches were off the cuff and she was really good with the people we helped.

She will never see a poor day again ever.

What a great insight. I know this is her 'job' and she will have her professional hat on but I got a real sense she's genuine and has a good understanding of the causes she supports and the people she speaks to.

Love Zara and hadn't realised how handsome Peter is! Both of them seem very down to earth.

I'm enjoying it on +1! Yes, it's great. She clearly doesn't suffer fools gladly, but I respect her immensely for getting on with the job, without moaning, working hard and giving her children as normal a life as they could have when granny is HMQ and you live in a huge stately home.
Being horsey myself, I respect her so much for her own horsemanship, but also for her good work with RDA.
I agree, Zara and Peter seem really nice and 'normal'!
I'd love to have a 1-1 with her and ask for her thoughts on various things, bet she wouldn't mince her words!

She is reputed to have said that Meghan "has very strong opinions."
That, I think, tells us everything.

I am quite old, and I remember her saying decades ago that she was not interested in playing the fairytale princess role, which the press were keen for. Then, Diana came along and the expectations shifted sideways and she was off the hook and allowed to be, in her own words, "the boring old fuddy-duddy at the back saying 'don't forget the basics.'
And I think it's paid off. I think that those of the general public who are fed up of the H&M antics and so forth, will be more inclined to tolerate a Royal Family with her attitude and work ethic.
Can you imagine Anne getting on a private jet to Elton's place in the S. of France?!

I agree that this is the type of monarchy approach that might survive going forward - no complaining, just getting on with things and not showing off the privilege too much that is clearly there behind the scenes.
The reality is they don't need to worry about pensions, redundancy, childcare, the backlog of healthcare needs and the myriad of other issues facing the nation now.
I've never heard Anne complain and that's why I like her 'old school' approach to life.

I'm not buying the down to earth bit, remember the rules on who has to curtsy to who were changed when Chuck got married so that "princesses of the blood" (Anne) didn't have to curtsy to Camilla or any later marry-ins.They are all totally obsessed with status.

It is a ridiculous to still have such a silly institution in these days. I'm happy to let Anne be our first president as a sign of goodwill and to step over the male heir but come the republic all of these titles, bowings and scrapings need to stop. And I have specifically chosen Anne because she has actually achieved something outside the RF, I think with Zara in the spotlight people forget what a good rider Anne was.

I thought it was very good. I loved seeing her children and hearing them talk about their mother. Of course I remember all the old stuff (I'm seventy myself). I rather like Princess Anne from what I know of her; never met her but have known people who have known and worked with her.

"They are all totally obsessed with status."

That's the impression that I always get.

And this "hard working"??!!

For a Royal, maybe, but that's not saying much!

And she gets on & gets the job done-well the "pay" is pretty damn good so why shouldn't she?

I find the 'hard-working' tag really odd. What is achieved from this labour? Isn't it self-perpetuating?

I think she’s great. She’s aware that her presence at events is solely to bring awareness to that event and the organisations involved. She doesn’t attempt to be a celebrity and I get the impression she, like the queen, would be happy with a quiet life surrounded by horses.

But then who wouldn’t

I remember Anne hitting the front pages when journalists reported that she'd told them to 'naff off'. She'd actually said something they couldn't print in the headlines so substituted that phrase instead!

Also, a documentary about corruption and the International Olympic Committee which she is on (not the London bid) said she was the only person to always return gifts.

Saw a bit of the documentary last night, and thought she came across really well.

Exactly @Kiwiz

I often read that queenie would have been happer living a simpler life running a country estate with her horses etc! I never read that she would have been happier working as a cook/nanny/cleaner on a country estate. I wonder why?

I loved this documentary. I thought Seb Coe saying to the others before their Olympic committee meeting between 2 and 5 “she’s probably opened 5 hospitals by the time she gets to this” is good. And that people at the end of the day get the same level of interest, attention and energy as those at the beginning. My own children don’t get that! As Royals go, she’s done them proud and she came across as cheerful rather than worthy.

I watched this and really enjoyed it, I thought she came across really well. Pretty down to Earth, very aware of her privilege and just quietly getting on with it.

Zara and Peter seem great, and again very grounded.

They seemed like a very loving and close family with real enjoyment in each other's company.

Anne is obviously a very devoted and involved grandmother too. I don't think you would guess that from her demeanour, which goes to show you can't assume how "warm" people are from how they conduct themselves when doing their job.

I agree absolutrly Myimaginarycathadfleas. She hasn't had a great press over the years. She got lots of criticism about her clothes and hairstyle when she was younger. I can't remember anything complaining about her spending. Fergie got lots of moans about her holidaying in private villas and doing not much work. I've not got round to watching it all yet. Too hot!