Known as the Princess Royal, Princess Anne is 75 today! Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born August 15, 1950. She was born less than two years after King Charles III. The royal siblings grew up very close spending their childhood together. Prince Andrew was born in 1960 and Prince Edward was born in 1964 when both Charles and Anne were in their teens.
At the time of her birth, she was third in the line of succession to the British throne, behind her brother Charles. She rose to second in 1952 after her grandfather's death and her mother's accession; she's currently 18th in line.
Born at Clarence House, Anne was educated at Benenden School and began undertaking royal duties upon reaching adulthood. She became a respected equestrian, winning one gold medal in 1971 and two silver medals in 1975 at the European Eventing Championships. In 1976 she became the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympic Games. In 1988, the Princess Royal became a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Princess Anne honored her older brother by marrying her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips on Charles's 25th birthday in 1973. She had two children, Zara and Peter. They separated in 1989 and divorced in 1992. She married Commander (later Vice Admiral) Sir Timothy Laurence two months after her divorce. She met Sir Timothy while he served as her mother's equerry between 1986 and 1989.
Princess Anne is involved with more than 200 charities and organizations in an official capacity. When her mother was alive, Princess Anne attended more events than any other royal. She is still extremely busy with all her charity and royal events.
