Trooping The Colour: the relationship between King Charles and Princess Anne after rare appearance together

King Charles III and Princess Anne made a rare joint appearance at Buckingham Palace for a special ceremony ahead of this year’s Trooping The Colour (also known as The King’s Birthday Parade), to mark the presentation of the new Sovereign's Standard to the Blues and Royals squadron of the Household Cavalry. 

Arriving to a trumpet fanfare, King Charles, adorned in the uniform of Field Marshal, and Princess Anne, wearing her Blues and Royals colonel's uniform, stood on as soldiers and horses assembled in the quadrangle. The new standard, a silk damask with gold embroidery featuring the Royal Arms and the regiment's battle honours, was consecrated and then presented by the King. 

In a speech delivered to the squadron, King Charles III expressed pride in presenting the standard, emphasising the squadron's long-standing connection with the monarchy and praising their soldiers' dual operational and ceremonial roles. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is a matter of great pride to be here with you today to present your new standard which, in itself, represents that personal bond between the Blues and Royals and the Sovereign that has lasted since before the Restoration in 1661” he said.

“Your standard, once the physical rallying point for your forebears, is the golden thread which connects you to your illustrious past. The battle honours displayed upon it, along with your uniforms and medals that are so visible in your ceremonial role are a further demonstration of your proven track record as battle-hardened mounted and dismounted soldiers with recent operational experience.”

He acknowledged the challenging times the country faces and highlighted the importance of preserving standards of excellence and achievement. Princess Anne, as the Colonel of the Blues and Royals, also expressed gratitude to the soldiers and their families for their commitment and support.

Princess Anne, at one time third in line to the throne, had a complex relationship with King Charles III; in her youth, she resented the intense media interest in her private life and had a reputation for being prickly. Unlike her older brother Charles, who had a clearly defined destiny as the future king, Anne lacked such certainty. 

Despite her diminished rank in the line of succession, Anne's contribution and popularity should not be underestimated. In fact, there are those in palace circles who believe she could have been the best king they’ll never have, according to Tina Brown's book, ‘The Palace Papers’.

During the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne's relationship with King Charles III took an incredibly emotional turn; Dressed in military uniform, Anne joined the solemn march behind the coffin, standing out as the only woman in the procession to Westminster Abbey. As King Charles appeared visibly emotional, Anne demonstrated her support by silently looking at him, offering a message of solidarity. 

This moment brought Princess Anne to a worldwide audience that may not have paid much attention to her before (more fool them, given that Princess Anne is considered one of the hardest working royals, looking at her Royal engagements this year) and it is believed that Charles will increasingly rely on her in the coming years, and she is expected to play a more significant role in the royal family.