Elizabeth II’s daughter is considered “the best queen the English will never have” (we explain why)

Princess Anne is the only child of Elizabeth II. She doesn’t follow fashion and usually doesn’t smile, but the British media believe she would be the best queen the UK could ever have. However, Anne has very little chance of reigning, as she is thirteenth in the line of succession to the throne, and with each new heir to Prince William, she moves further away from the crown.

However, she never worried about this problem. On the contrary: she always allowed herself a little more than the other members of the royal family. She attended the Olympics, appeared at a relative’s wedding wearing a 27-year-old outfit and pioneered the “fashion” among royals for marrying for love, a trend followed by her nephews William and Harry. At the awesome.club, we look forward to showing you, the reader, more about Anne’s life.

Queen Elizabeth II, along with her husband Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne

Anne was not always “the daughter of the queen”: she was born in 1950, two years before her mother ascended the throne, and is younger than Charles, Elizabeth’s first child. The little princess was very jealous of her parents. It seemed to her that her brother, the “future king”, received more attention than she. Even her nanny asked the royal couple to be more diplomatic with the girl. Perhaps the family’s incomprehension led to Anne growing up rebellious and outspoken. She wasn’t even afraid to face a criminal who tried to kidnap her, a situation we’ll get to later.

Elizabeth II alongside Philip and their children, Princes Edward and Andrew (centre), Princess Anne and Prince Charles

The princess’ two great passions are sports and horses. In 1976, she participated in the Montreal Olympic Games, being the first member of the Windsor house to do so. In the individual equestrian competitions, Anne obtained the twenty-fourth place, and in the team competition, the ninth position. 36 years later, at the 2012 London Olympics, her daughter Zara gave England a gold medal in the same sport.

Princess Anne and her horse, Goodwill, rest during training for the Montreal Olympics

Thanks to her crush, Anne met her first husband, Mark Phillips, who was a knight. The young man did not have a peerage, so the Windsors were uncomfortable with his relationship with the princess. Her older brother spoke sarcastically about the chosen one saying, “Anne could not marry her horse and therefore chose Mark”. And the queen was apparently very disappointed in her daughter’s choice, as she declared that she would not be surprised if the children of the loving couple were born with horse hooves.

Although Elizabeth II presented the couple with a farm in Gloucestershire to celebrate their marriage, she apparently did not accept the princess’ union. Anne’s children, Peter and Zara, are considered commoners. This situation is due to a decree of 1917, according to which only the sons and grandsons of the monarch in the male line can carry the royal title. Anne was a princess before her marriage, but after the wedding she lost her title. In 1987, her mother granted her the nomination of Princess Royal, although her children are still commoners. According to one version, the queen also wanted to give titles to her grandchildren, but Anne did not accept it as a way of protecting the children. According to another version, Elizabeth offered her husband the title of earl, which he would pass on to his grandchildren, but he also refused.

Mark and Anne have faced many adventures together. In 1974, they were attacked by an armed criminal who wanted to kidnap the princess for ransom. Having injured six people, he demanded that Anne get out of the car, to which she replied: “Not even kidding!”. The boy was arrested and considered a mentally ill person. Then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson praised Anne, saying she behaved “with extraordinary courage and intelligence” in such a terrifying situation.

Princess Anne visits her bodyguard, who was injured during the kidnapping attempt

Anne’s marriage, which seemed so strong, fell apart in 1992. And a few months later, the princess married Captain Timothy Lawrence, who, by the way, was also attached to horses. In the past, the chosen one had been a knight of Elizabeth II. In this way, Anne became the first divorced member of the British royal family to remarry.

Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Duchess of York and Queen Mother Elizabeth (mother of Elizabeth II) at the Remembrance Day ceremony

Elizabeth II’s daughter, in addition to not fearing unequal marriages, was ahead of her time in many ways. Journalists now admire Duchess Kate’s austerity and modest attire, but William’s wife still has a lot to learn from Anne. For example, in 2008, for Lady Rose Windsor’s wedding, the princess wore the same dress she had worn at Charles and Diana’s wedding 27 years earlier. Also, one time, getting ready to go to the races, she found a 35-year-old blouse in her closet! Even with this modest spirit, the princess was already on the cover of the magazine Vogue 3 times. And speaking of fashion, in the military parades, Anne prefers to wear men’s uniforms.

Princess Anne at the parade in honor of Elizabeth II’s birthday

Elizabeth II’s daughter is reputed to be the hardest working member of the royal family. In 2014, she participated more than 600 times in various official events, both nationally and internationally. She has been to Antarctica many times, as she sponsors 200 charitable, cultural and environmental organizations, in particular the “Antarctic Heritage” fund.

The princess apparently believes more in action than empty speeches. She deservedly gained a lot of respect in her country, but now we want to know what you think. And then, should she assume the role of queen?