Princess Anne set for bittersweet day as King Charles marks 75th birthday

Princess Anne could be set for a somewhat bittersweet day as King Charles marks his 75th birthday.

King Charles’s 75th birthday on 14th November isn’t set to be marked publicly like his official birthday was with Trooping the Colour, however it’s believed that he could have a private dinner with his close family on this special day. When it comes to royal bonds, His Majesty and Princess Anne are understood to have a close relationship and it’s likely she would attend a celebratory dinner. 

However, her elder brother’s birthday will likely always be a bittersweet day for Princess Anne as it’s also the anniversary of a huge moment in her own life. Back in 1973 she married her first husband Captain Mark Phillips at Westminster Abbey on King Charles’s 25th birthday.

The couple went on to have two children together, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, before separating in 1989 after 16 years of marriage. They divorced in 1992 - the same year as King Charles and Princess Diana’s separation was announced and as Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York separated too.

It’s understood that the breakdown of her children's marriages is what partly inspired the late Queen Elizabeth to dub 1992 as her “Annus Horribilis” or “horrible year”. It’s possible that each year on 14th November Princess Anne faces a bittersweet day. Whilst it’s a happy occasion given it’s her brother’s birthday and likely brings back some fond memories of her first wedding, given her marriage later ended in divorce perhaps there is some sadness attached.

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Princess Anne was also the first of Queen Elizabeth’s children to separate from their spouse and this attracted attention at the time. The Princess Royal and Mark had also been surrounded by rumours about distance in their relationship before announcing their separation.

Though the former spouses are understood to get on and have been seen standing together at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, it’s possible that the anniversary of their wedding isn’t an entirely happy occasion for Princess Anne.

The Princess Royal went on to marry her current husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence in December 1992. With so many positive and more poignant memories associated with 14th November, it’s perhaps King Charles and Princess Anne’s decision to focus on the happy ones for each other.

King Charles and Princess Anne’s sweet sibling relationship has often been noted over the years and the monarch has showcased his trust in his sister since becoming King. He requested that Princess Anne’s prestigious role of Counselor of State be restored to her, even though this is traditionally a position only held by the monarch’s spouse and the first four in the royal line of succession over the age of 21.

It’s also been claimed Princess Anne’s position next to her brother in the group coronation portrait taken by Hugo Burnand was deliberate. Opening up to MailOnline, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed, “Princess Anne's proximity to the sovereign, that's no accident. She's experienced and hard-working.”

“It shows how much he appreciates her and how much he will be relying on her, she is extremely popular and has a high profile,” he added. “People know who she is and respect her, that's very important.”

King Charles certainly seems to hugely respect her and whilst there might be some sadness attached to his birthday for her, Princess Anne will be eager to celebrate with him if he does have a private dinner.