Princess Anne’s rare royal privilege that Princess Eugenie and Beatrice never got to experience
Princess Anne’s rare royal privilege broke with a tradition that both of her York nieces stuck too - though another family member didn’t…


Princess Anne’s rare royal privilege is one that her nieces Princess Eugenie and Beatrice never got to experience even though all were born royal Princesses.
- Although it’s reportedly tradition that royal women don’t wear a tiara until their wedding day or after marriage, the Princess Royal did.
- Princess Anne was pictured wearing tiaras before she got married to Captain Mark Phillips, unlike her York nieces.
- This royal news comes as we revealed Carole Middleton’s touching Valentine’s Day tribute - and it’s not to her husband!
The late monarch's jewelry pieces are quite something to behold and of all the items she owned it's Queen Elizabeth’s tiaras which are perhaps seen the least, but are amongst the most beautiful. Queen Camilla’s banquet jewelry in November 2022 included a sapphire tiara that was the last one that Queen Elizabeth was ever photographed in as she gave a sweet nod to her mother-in-law. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth also lent tiaras to family members to wear for their weddings. However, there’s a tiara-focused honor that few royals ever got to have - and her daughter was one of them.
Princess Anne’s rare royal privilege is simply that she wore a tiara *before* she was married. It’s understood that in the Royal Family, royal women would traditionally wear a tiara for the first time on their wedding day or afterwards. They are rarely seen donning one of these dazzling pieces earlier on in their lives.
According to Hello!, this is reportedly the case with two of the Queen’s grandchildren, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, who were born Princesses like Princess Anne. For her wedding day at Windsor Castle in 2018, Princess Eugenie wowed in the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara. Whilst for her nuptials in 2020 Princess Beatrice opted for the same tiara Queen Elizabeth wore for her wedding to Prince Philip - Queen Mary’s Diamond Fringe Tiara.
The Princess Royal also wore this for her wedding to her first husband Captain Mark Phillips. But Princess Anne had already made her tiara debut several years earlier. She was pictured wearing tiaras for various events and trips before she married, including for her visit to Austria with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1969.
She was also pictured alongside Princess Alice in 1969 wearing the Cartier Halo Tiara that caught everyone’s attention at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding when the bride wore it in 2011. It seems that Princess Anne’s rare royal privilege wasn’t exclusively granted to her, though, as Princess Margaret was also seen wearing tiaras before she married Antony Armstrong-Jones.
The Queen’s sister had similar taste to Princess Anne as she was also seen wearing the Cartier Halo Tiara. Given how many occasions with smart black or white-tie dress codes there were at this time compared to now this might perhaps be the reason why Princess Margaret and Princess Anne departed with tradition.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Though fans still get to see the tiaras brought out by the royals for occasions like State banquets and receptions, as we saw last year when one was held to welcome the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The likes of the Queen Consort, Princess of Wales and Countess of Wessex also wore some splendid tiaras at the Diplomatic Corps Reception at Buckingham Palace, where Kate Middleton wowed in another of Princess Margaret's favorites - the Lotus Flower Tiara.
Despite Princess Anne's rare royal privilege fans didn't get to see her wearing an equally stunning tiara alongside them as she was undertaking an overseas visit to the Falkland Islands at the time.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
I've tried a lot of trainers, but adidas Stan Smith is the one style I always come back to
They're the ones I recommend to friends
By Caroline Parr Published
-
Kate Middleton and Duchess Sophie prove that buying items you love in multiple colours can really pay off
They've shown that having your favourite pieces in several shades can be so handy if they're true to your signature style
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
'Her feet were so small' - Princess Beatrice on the 'sheer worry' and 'tears of relief' of baby Athena's preterm birth
Princess Beatrice welcomed her second daughter Athena in January and she says it took 'weeks' for life with her 'healthy baby to feel real'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Anne goes for tonal teal look on Commonwealth Day as she stays true to style ethos
Princess Anne loves making the most of her wardrobe favourites and her latest look was a celebration of tonal dressing
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Pattern and colour? Princess Anne's checked handbag and spring green coat pulled it off
Princess Anne just delivered a masterclass in how to make styling prints and bright colours together not at all scary
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Anne is classic in white and gold skirt suit that oozes the elegance of a Chanel ensemble
The Princess Royal loves going for timeless styles and her skirt suit for a royal reception reminds us of stunning Chanel co-ords
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Anne wraps up warm in royal fashion staple loved by Kate and Camilla
The Princess Royal re-wore her beautiful camel coat for an engagement and this staple is a must-have for her fellow royals too
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Anne’s navy pea coat and scarf at the rugby are the perfect combination when being cold isn’t an option
The Princess Royal never compromises on warmth in the winter and her rugby-watching ensemble was practical and classic
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Beatrice welcomes her second baby and shares very regal name
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have announced the birth of their second child and they're 'completely besotted'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton's hilarious quip in her first ever interview was so Princess Anne
Carole Middleton gave her first interview in 2018 and she asked a brilliant question that showcased her strong work ethic
By Emma Shacklock Published