Princess Anne smiles at a banquet in London in 2017.Photo:CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/AFP via Getty Images
CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/AFP via Getty Images
Princess Annewas born third in line to the British throne — though much has changed since then!
The Princess Royalturned 73on Tuesday, inspiring a look back at her surprising journey in theline of succession.
Anne was born in 1950 toQueen ElizabethandPrince Philip, arriving behind elder brotherPrince Charles. Elizabeth was a princess when her daughter was born, and became Queen following the sudden death of her fatherKing George VIin 1952. Change ricocheted through the family, and 3-year-old Charles became heir to the throne upon his mother’s accession. Princess Anne — who was just a year old — was now second in line.
Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Edward and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1972.Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Princess Anne would remain fourth in line to the throne for many years, and her kids arrived behind her in the line of succession. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip became first-time grandparents when Anne’s sonPeter Phillips(with then-husband Captain Mark Phillips) was born in 1977, and followed his mother as fifth in line to the throne.
Prince William’s christening in 1982.PA Images via Getty
PA Images via Getty
Things would shift again whenPrince Harrywas born in 1984, and Anne was bumped back further when Prince Andrew had kids.Princess Beatricewas born as fifth in line in 1988, whilePrincess Eugeniebecame sixth in 1990. The Princess Royal would remain eighth in line to the throne until 2003 when Prince Edward and his wifeSophie, Duchess of Edinburghwelcomed their first child, daughterLady Louise Windsor. Like her aunt Anne, Louise was moved back when her younger brotherJames, Earl of Wessexwas born in 2007.
A few years later, the system truly shifted when Prince William andKate Middletonwere expecting their first child,Prince George, now 10. Parliament passed theSuccession to the Crown Act 2013, and birth order now determines who will become the next king or queen of the U.K., regardless of sex. It affects all royals born after Oct. 28, 2011, and also removed the disqualificationplaced on those arising from marriage to a Roman Catholic.
Modern royal history was made as William and Kate’s family expanded withPrincess Charlottein 2013, andPrince Louisin 2018. Because of the Succession to the Crown Act, Charlotte, now 8, uniquely held her spot in succession when her younger brother was born — marking a royal first.
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The Wales family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour in 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
“I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” she said in 2020. “So I think that was probably the right thing to do.”
Zara Tindall, Princess Anne and Peter Phillips at the Badminton Horse Trials in 2008.Samir Hussein/Getty
source: people.com
