Buckingham Palace releases early birthday honour for Princess Anne

Princess Anne received a delightful surprise from the monarch’s office ahead of her 75th birthday next week.

The Buckingham Palace issued a wonderful new portrait of the Princess Royal with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, which was taken by Chris Jack at Windsor Castle.

King Charles’s sister, who will officially be marking her birthday on August 15, received the special nod on Friday.

The portrait was taken last month just before the French State Banquet. In the photo, she is seen wearing the King’s Family Order, the Royal Family Order (QEII), the Garter Star and Garter Sash, as well as the Thistle Star.

She also wore the Festoon Tiara, topping her look with a signature sparkler from her royal rotation. The royal had received the tiara as a gift from the Worldwide Shipping Group after she christened one of their ships in 1973, the year she turned 23.

On her birthday next week, Anne has reportedly refused any major celebrations in her honour and maintained that she would like to stay focussed on her duties.

It is anticipated that she will mark her milestone birthday by inviting members of her charity patronages to Buckingham Palace for a royal engagement.