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Princess Anne Marks Her 75th with a Wink, a Warm Welcome, and a Joke About Her Brother the King

Princess Anne is preparing to celebrate a major milestone — her 75th birthday — and she’s doing it in a way that reflects her lifelong dedication to service, with a touch of dry humor.

In the lead-up to her August 15 birthday, the Princess Royal hosted over 200 guests at Buckingham Palace on June 6, 2025. The gathering, known as Anne’s Charities Forum, brought together representatives from more than 100 charitable organizations she supports. The forum focused on current issues facing the charity sector, including public trust, technological challenges, and future opportunities.

After hearing from speakers such as Sarah Woolnough of The King’s Fund, David Holdsworth of the Charity Commission, and digital strategist Zoe Amar, Anne took the podium with characteristic wit.

“I’m not here because this was my choice,” she told the crowd, smiling. “You very kindly asked me to become patron of your organizations, so it’s an honor for me to have all of you here.”

Then, in a playful nod to her brother, King Charles III, she added, “I would just like to make the point that we are very fortunate that His Majesty has allowed us to use Buckingham Palace for this event tonight — and I need to say that — it does help.”

Despite her light touch, Anne also took a sincere moment to thank the organizations for their work. “The responsibility and respect that you give to your own organizations, the people who work for you and your own beneficiaries, is perhaps the key to what makes you so important,” she said. “Respect and responsibility. Thank you very much for doing what you do.”

Guests included representatives from two of her longest-standing causes: Save the Children and Riding for the Disabled. In total, Anne is connected to over 300 charities, many of which were represented at the event.

The event also served as another reminder of Anne’s enduring bond with her brother, the King. The two have shared many pivotal royal moments, most notably at Charles’ 2023 coronation. Anne not only attended the historic day but played a central ceremonial role as Gold-Stick-in-Waiting — a centuries-old position once responsible for protecting the monarch.

Anne has held that title since 1998, and her prominent role during the coronation included leading 6,000 members of the armed forces on horseback to Buckingham Palace. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, reflected on the moment to PEOPLE, saying, “It’s a busy time for them all, and her and her brother are very close, so it’s a nice thing to do.”

That closeness was further acknowledged when King Charles appointed Anne as a Counsellor of State after his accession in 2022 — a prestigious role allowing her to carry out royal duties in his absence or during illness.

As Princess Anne approaches her 75th birthday, she continues to embody the steadfast service and quiet strength she’s become known for — mixing humility, humor, and honor in equal measure.