Princess Anne has long been regarded as one of the most direct and hard-working members of the British royal family, but a new account by her nephew, Earl Spencer, offers a markedly less flattering portrayal.
In his memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Earl Spencer recalls an encounter with the Princess Royal shortly before the wedding of his sister, Diana, to then-Prince Charles. His description has prompted renewed discussion about Anne’s personality and whether her famously blunt manner has sometimes been mistaken for coldness.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman has cautioned that accounts of Anne’s character can vary considerably, suggesting that Earl Spencer’s recollection represents only one perspective.
A Dinner at Buckingham Palace
According to Earl Spencer, the incident occurred during a formal dinner at Buckingham Palace two days before Diana’s 1981 wedding.
He recalled asking about the christening of Anne’s daughter, Zara, but said the Princess Royal responded in a way that left him feeling diminished.
Earl Spencer described Anne as looking at him “witheringly” before questioning how he thought a christening was supposed to proceed.
The account has attracted attention because it contrasts with the warmer side of Anne that has been repeatedly witnessed by members of the public and those closest to her.
Anne’s Reputation for Bluntness
Princess Anne’s reputation for being straightforward and occasionally severe is hardly new.
Her no-nonsense personality has become one of the defining characteristics of her public image, reinforced by her famously busy schedule and reluctance to indulge in unnecessary ceremony.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has previously noted that Anne was once widely perceived as somewhat “severe and imperious”, particularly after moments such as her infamous response to photographers following a horse-riding accident in 1982.
Yet that image has increasingly been balanced by public displays of humour, affection and emotion.
A Proud Mother at Zara’s Triumph
One of the clearest examples came when Zara Tindall won gold at the European Eventing Championships at Blenheim Palace.
Archival footage recently resurfaced showing Anne embracing her daughter after the victory more than two decades ago.
The moment was striking because Anne, usually guarded in public, appeared visibly emotional as she rushed to congratulate Zara.
Fitzwilliams described the embrace as a moment of “sheer, undiluted joy”, arguing that it helped soften the public perception of the Princess Royal and revealed a more affectionate side to her personality.
A Devoted Grandmother
Anne’s relationship with her grandchildren has also provided a different picture from the stern image sometimes associated with her.
Her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, both live relatively close to her Gatcombe Park home, allowing the Princess Royal to remain closely involved with her expanding family despite her demanding royal responsibilities.
Hardman has previously described Anne as a hands-on grandmother who “dotes” on the younger members of her family.
Anne has also reportedly welcomed her newest step-granddaughter, Georgina, following Peter Phillips’ marriage to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling.
The family’s close ties have helped reinforce the impression of Anne as someone whose private warmth is considerably more visible among those closest to her.
Her Compassion Was Also Seen After Queen Elizabeth’s Death
Anne’s softer side was particularly evident following the death of her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.
The Princess Royal remained beside the late monarch during her final hours at Balmoral and subsequently accompanied her mother’s coffin to London.
Despite her own grief, Anne was seen interacting warmly with members of the public and comforting children who had gathered to mourn the Queen.
Those moments offered a powerful contrast to the more detached image sometimes attached to her public persona.
Anne’s Unexpected Rugby Hug
Another memorable example emerged during Scotland’s Six Nations campaign.
Anne, who is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union, became involved in a light-hearted exchange with Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu after the team’s victory over England.
The rugby star initially attempted to embrace the Princess Royal, but she stepped back in keeping with royal protocol.
The pair later joked about the incident, and when Anne presented the Auld Alliance Trophy following Scotland’s victory over France, both opened their arms in a playful reference to their earlier encounter.
By Scotland’s final match against Ireland, however, Anne finally embraced Tuipulotu, prompting delighted reactions from rugby supporters.
Royal Fans See a Different Princess
The footage sparked enthusiastic reactions online, with many viewers praising Anne for appearing relaxed, humorous and affectionate.
Comments described her as an “amazing mother” and a down-to-earth member of the royal family, while others highlighted the special relationship she appears to share with Zara.
The moments have helped challenge the idea that Anne is simply stern or emotionally distant.
Instead, they suggest that her reserved public manner can coexist with considerable warmth when she is around family, friends and people she has come to know.
A More Complicated Portrait of the Princess Royal
Earl Spencer’s recollection adds another dimension to the picture, particularly because it describes an interaction in which he felt belittled by Anne’s response.
However, individual memories of family encounters can differ significantly, and the public record contains numerous examples of the Princess Royal displaying compassion, humour and affection.
Even Earl Spencer ultimately acknowledged Anne’s dedication to charitable causes and her hard work as a royal patron.
The contrasting accounts perhaps explain why Princess Anne remains such a distinctive figure within the monarchy: direct and uncompromising in public, yet capable of showing considerable tenderness in the moments that matter most to her.
