What Does It Require To Hold The Rare Title Princess Royal?

British royal family news reveals that there is one elite title, Princess Royal, that is very rare and special. It is an honorific title set aside for just one person within a family unit.

Anne is a Princess Royal, and someday Princess Charlotte may be as well. What do Anne, in her 70s, and 8-year old Charlotte have in common? Read on to find out!

Royal Family News – Princesses Royal Are Special

Both Anne and Charlotte are the eldest daughter in their nuclear family unit, and as such have the privilege of being known as Princess Royal.

According to Vanity Fair, the title Princess Royal may be given by a reigning monarchs to their eldest daughter at any point in her there have been eight Princesses Royal: Anne, Princess Mary, Princess of Orange (1631–1660), Anne, Princess of Orange (1709–1759), Charlotte, Queen Consort of Württemberg (1766–1828), Victoria, Empress of Germany and Queen Consort of Prussia (1840–1901), Louise, Duchess of Fife (1867–1931), and Mary, Countess of Harewood (1897–1965).

Curiously the outlet notes that Princesses Royal “have tended to be headstrong, bold, hard workers, with spines of steel and a commitment to duty.

Family stalwarts, they have served as mentors to their sometimes wayward brothers, and dutifully carried out the wishes of their parents—at times to the detriment of their own happiness and full potential.”

Royal News – Princess Anne Is a Hard Worker

Anne exemplifies this trend, as she has long been considered the “hardest working royal.” In 2023 Anne, Princess Royal, won that title again with 457 official royal engagements.

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Will 8-year-old Princess Charlotte be given the Princess Royal title? She surely fits the mold, presenting herself in public as a confidant leader with an outgoing attitude, especially with her brothers. Princess Kate has called her daughter “the one in charge.”

Royal Family News – Anne, Princess Royal

According to The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne by Helen Cathcart, the Princess Royal origin story is clouded by the mists of history.

Cathcart believes the idea may have originated within Dutch royal circles as a way to increase the prestige of Princess Mary when she married William, Prince of Orange, in 1641.

In her book she writes “It may seem conclusive, that the distinction thus originated in 1642 as a courtesy title improvised by a Dutchman.”

In 1965, the media began asking in earnest when Princess Anne might be given the honorary title. Cathcart reports that Princess Anne “was annoyed by the constant queries, one time snapping, ‘It’s nothing to do with me!’”

Queen Elizabeth gave her daughter the title in 1987 and Prince Philip was given the honor of announcing the gift to his daughter at his birthday luncheon that year.

He said “The Queen has been pleased to declare that our dear daughter shall henceforth bear the style and title of Princess Royal.”

While Anne would have been pleased with the title, she had no time to wallow in her accolade, she had to get going, she was booked at an afternoon charitable event!

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