Princess Anne is preparing to celebrate her milestone 75th birthday on August 15, and Buckingham Palace has marked the occasion with the release of three official portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s only daughter.
Two of the images were captured at Gatcombe Park, her country estate, while the first—taken at Windsor Castle by royal photographer Chris Jackson on July 8—features the Princess Royal wearing her beloved Festoon Tiara, a dazzling heirloom valued at around $4 million. The tiara, gifted to Anne in 1973 when she was just 23, has remained one of her signature pieces for over five decades.
Though Anne reportedly wished to keep her 75th birthday understated, the Palace shared the portraits publicly. One of the photos, released on August 8, shows Anne standing beside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, during a state banquet at Windsor Castle honoring French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. The image not only highlights Anne’s sparkling tiara but also her subtle hair transformation—the first major change to her hairstyle in 50 years.
The Festoon Tiara has a unique story. Crafted in platinum with round and cushion-cut diamonds, it features three diamond swags suspended between upright motifs. According to jeweler Maxwell Stone, it is believed to date back to the early 1900s and was presented to Anne by the World Wide Shipping Group of Hong Kong in gratitude for christening one of their ships. Its timeless craftsmanship and comfortable design have made it one of her most-worn treasures, appearing at key moments from her 23rd birthday portraits to her pre-wedding photos with Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, as well as at state banquets and Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee Gala.
Despite her glamorous jewels, Anne remains one of the most practical and hard-working royals. She has insisted on keeping her birthday celebrations modest, reportedly remarking: “I’ll celebrate birthdays that end in a zero, but not ones that end in a five.”
As for retirement, Anne has no immediate plans. Much like her father, Prince Philip, she expects to continue her duties well into old age. According to royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah, the Princess Royal has told her team she intends to “wind down” around 80 and fully step back at 90—a testament to her lifelong commitment to royal service.
