I think Ann has had quite a few moments of enormous popularity over the years but she’s not much of a limelight seeker and probably seemed quite boring in the paparazzi driven, high fashion Diana/Fergie era, whereas now she seems quite quirky and eccentric, preferring to wear hi vis and watch a concrete foundation being poured rather than appear at a glamorous celebrity function.
I’m late 40s so didn’t see her younger days first hand, I was born the year she competed in the Olympics, which must’ve been quite a thing in 76, and her 83 Parkinson appearance is, in 2024 parlance, ‘Iconic’.
Throw in the refusal of titles for her kids (and her daughter following in her Olympic footsteps and bettering her mum via a silver medal), her recent tendency to recycle decades old outfits and her willingness to chuck on military trousers and a plumed helmet instead of a dress, sash and tiara and she somehow manages to be both Historical-Traditional and Kitschy-Modern all at once.
Zara marrying a rugby player/sports personality rather than a titled aristocrat can’t have hurt the popularity that branch of the RF tree either.
Even Anne’s once-scandalous divorce seems unremarkable now, eclipsed by 2 brothers worth of marital dramas and her second marriage proven by longevity.
I expect she’s mopped up some of her late mums casual admirers recently too, partly automatically as E2’s only daughter and partly due to her behaviour in the days after her mum’s death, accompanying her back to London etc.
Plus Andrew being such a dick has made all his siblings look better in comparison.
(bonus: The Crown made her seem 50/50 sensible confidante/good time party girl,
I hope she’s OK, if not, then I agree, a fatal horsey injury would be a fitting end.
Be more House of Windsor if she actually toppled off in her in her mid 80s while
drunk on gin rather than got kicked in her 70s tho.