As tributes to Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, continue, her daughter, Princess Anne, who is not used to showing her emotions, expressed herself yesterday in a moving press release in which she reveals to have “was lucky” to be at his mother’s side during “his last 24 hours”.
Princess Anne breaks the silence. As Princes William and Harry and their wives spoke out the day before, the late daughter Elizabeth II in turn spoke this Tuesday evening, September 13, paying tribute to his mother through a moving press release sent by Buckingham Palace.
“I am very lucky to have been able to share the last 24 hours of my beloved mother’s life. It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to accompany him on his final journeys,” said Princess Anne.
“Witnessing the love and respect shown by all of you on these journeys has been moving and overwhelming. We will all share memories. I thank each of you who share our pain. We may have remembered how much we took for granted his presence and his contribution to our national identity. I am also very grateful for the support and understanding you offer my brother Charles, who has just taken on his responsibilities as Monarch. To my mother, to the Queen, thank you,” added the mother of Zara and Peter Phillips.
Meanwhile, very moving words from Princess Anne on the “honour and privilege” of accompanying her “dearest mother” on her final journeys: #TheQueen pic.twitter.com/1EWvekHHIi
— Emily Nash (@emynash) September 13, 2022
Princess Anne had followed the motorcade on the six-hour drive from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh, while shis brother, King Charles III, was recalled to London to fulfill his first obligations as sovereign. His bow before the hearse on his arrival in the Scottish capital, had greatly moved the British.
The Princess Royal, a title she has held since 1987 as the monarch’s eldest daughter, also walked alongside the King and their two brothers on Monday during the procession carrying the coffin of Elizabeth II from Holyroodhouse Castle. to the cathedral of Saint-Gilles, as well as boarding the military plane which took the remains to London.
A princess with a strong character
Looking a lot like her outspoken father, Prince Philip, she reportedly described herself as ‘not fitting everyone’s image of a fairy tale princess’. “We learn at our expense,” she said. “There is no school for royalty”.
The princess, who writes her speeches herself, has also earned respect for her support of more than 300 charities, various organizations and military regiments. Passionate regarding riding, like her mother Elizabeth II, she won the European eventing championship in 1971.
“I saw (in this sports career) the way to prove that I had something outside of my family, and that victory or defeat depended only on me”, will say the one who will become a member of the International Olympic Committee. in 1988 and will take part in the organizing committee of the London Olympics in 2012.
Between tradition and modernity
Sometimes considered cold and criticized for her acerbic humor, Princess Anne has never sought to please the press, and has always enjoyed the presence of paparazzi very little.
While following her path through her parents’ royal system, she chose a more modern path for her children.
Married to horseman Mark Philipps in 1973 in front of 500 million viewers, the couple decided they would not take the royal title so their children, Zara and Peter, might feel free to lead their own lives.
Nine months following their divorce in 1992, the princess had married Commander Timothy Laurence, a former squire to Queen Elizabeth, in Scotland, the Church of England not allowing unions of divorced people.
At 72, it is rumored that his role might now change with the advent of Charles III, who might find support from his sister when he takes on his new role.
