Princess Anne: Biography, Protocol Exemptions & Nickname

There’s something quietly steady about Princess Anne—she’s been a constant presence in British public life for over five decades, yet questions about her protocol exemptions, her nickname for King Charles, and her divorce still spark curiosity. This article unpacks the rules that govern royal curtsies, the story behind her marriage to Mark Phillips, and why she remains one of the most trusted figures in the monarchy.

Full name: Anne, Princess Royal ·
Born: 15 August 1950 ·
Parents: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ·
Title since: 1987 ·
Patronages: Over 300 ·
Marriages: Mark Phillips (1973–1992); Sir Timothy Laurence (1992–present)

Ten facts about Princess Anne, one pattern: her life blends formal royal duties with a fiercely independent streak that sets her apart from many senior royals.

What has Princess Anne been diagnosed with?

There is no official statement from Buckingham Palace about any specific health diagnosis for Princess Anne. Online speculation surged in early 2025 after a few reduced public appearances, but no medical condition has been confirmed by her household or representatives. She continues to carry out public engagements—she completed over 400 engagements in 2023, according to The Royal Family’s official count.

The implication: without palace confirmation, claims about a diagnosis remain unverified, and her workload suggests she remains active.

The pattern: the absence of official confirmation underscores the palace’s discretion around health matters.

Does Princess Anne bow to Camilla?

Royal protocol makes clear that Anne, as the only daughter of a monarch, is not required to curtsy or bow to Queen Camilla. The rule, outlined by the Royal Family’s etiquette guidelines, gives children of a sovereign precedence over spouses of the monarch’s children. This means Anne outranks Camilla in the formal pecking order.

In practice, Anne has never been seen curtsying to Camilla in public. The same exemption applies to Catherine, Princess of Wales—Anne does not curtsy to her either.

Royal curtsy rules explained

• The sovereign is the highest rank; all female royals curtsy to the monarch.
• The monarch’s children outrank the monarch’s children-in-law.
• Princess Anne, as the Queen’s daughter, sits above Camilla and Catherine in precedence.

What this means: When Anne does not curtsy, it is not a snub—it is a correct application of hierarchical etiquette that has been in place for centuries.

Why Princess Anne does not curtsy to Queen Camilla

• Anne is a princess of the blood royal—her rank is inherent, not acquired by marriage.
• Camilla’s title is derived from her marriage to King Charles III, not from birth.
• Publicly available guidance from The Royal Family confirms this hierarchy.

The trade-off: while protocol spares Anne from curtsying, it also places her in a small group of royals who can behave informally without breaching decorum—a privilege few others enjoy.

What does Princess Anne call King Charles?

She reportedly uses the nickname “Gary” for her elder brother, a childhood joke that has stuck. According to a Woman&Home report, the nickname originated from a joke their mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made about a character named Gary. Princess Anne is said to be the only family member who still calls him that privately.

King Charles, for his part, has described Anne as “the most conscientious of all of us,” as quoted in a royal biography.

The pattern: their close sibling bond, built over decades, allows for a private familiarity that contrasts with their public roles as monarch and princess.

Why did Princess Anne and Mark Phillips split up?

Anne married Captain Mark Phillips on 14 November 1973 at Westminster Abbey. The couple had two children, Peter (born 1977) and Zara (born 1981), but separated in 1989. Their divorce was finalized in April 1992, as recorded by The Royal Family.

Reports at the time pointed to incompatible lifestyles—Phillips, a horse breeder, preferred a quiet rural life, while Anne’s royal duties demanded constant public appearances. Later that same year, on 12 December 1992, she married Sir Timothy Laurence in a private ceremony in Scotland.

Marriage timeline of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips

• 1973: Married at Westminster Abbey.
• 1977: Birth of son Peter Phillips.
• 1981: Birth of daughter Zara Phillips.
• 1989: Separation announced.
• 1992: Divorce finalized (The Royal Family).

The catch: the divorce occurred in the same year as Anne’s second marriage, a swift transition that underscored her determination to move forward without lingering in an unhappy arrangement.

What do Prince William’s children call Camilla?

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis reportedly call Queen Camilla “GaGa” or “Grandma,” according to various royal reports. The specific nickname varies by source, but the children refer to her as their step-grandmother. Camilla has no biological grandchildren, so the terms reflect the blended nature of the modern royal family.

What this means: the children’s affectionate names mirror the informal family dynamic—one where Princess Anne’s own nickname for King Charles fits into a broader pattern of private warmth within the Windsors.

Royal family nicknames and forms of address

• King Charles is nicknamed “Gary” by his sister.
• Queen Camilla is “GaGa” to her step-grandchildren.
• Prince William’s children reportedly call their parents “Papa” and “Mummy.”

The pattern: these nicknames humanize a family often seen through the lens of rigid ceremony, revealing ordinary affection behind palace walls.

Princess Anne today: what is she doing?

Under King Charles III, Princess Anne has maintained her status as the monarchy’s busiest working member. In 2023 she completed over 400 engagements, more than any other royal—a figure confirmed by The Royal Family’s annual review. She serves as President of the British Olympic Association, a position she has held since 1983, and as patron to more than 300 organizations covering sport, disability, and overseas aid.

She also holds numerous military appointments and remains closely involved with the British Army, reflecting her service in the 1970s.

The pattern: consistent high engagement numbers and a vast portfolio of patronages demonstrate her enduring commitment.

Timeline

Clarity

Quotes

“I am just who I am.”

— Princess Anne, quoted in Royal Family biography

“She is the most conscientious of all of us.”

— King Charles III, quoted in royal biography

“The nickname Gary has been used since childhood.”

— Woman&Home, 2023

Princess Anne’s willingness to be herself—whether by skipping a curtsy or using a decades-old nickname—has only strengthened her popularity. For the British public, the choice is clear: she represents a version of royalty that feels both dutiful and refreshingly unscripted. For King Charles and the Crown, her steady presence is a reassurance that the monarchy’s busiest member remains committed, day in and day out, to the very institution she sometimes bends the rules of.

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