Princess Anne is very close to King Charles. Anne functions as the family’s “rock” – she was and is the steady hand for both of her parents, and she likely has the same relationship with Charles. An advisor, someone discreet and no-nonsense, someone he can depend on even if she disagrees with him. Anne hasn’t even made her feelings known about all of this “Queen Camilla’s victory lap” bullsh-t. Well, the king is giving his only sister a special position at the coronation, that of Gold Stick-in-Waiting. It is apparently a huge honor.
Princess Anne is to be given a starring role front and centre at the Coronation in honour of her years of loyalty to King Charles. The Princess Royal will be Charles’s “official bodyguard” as the royals make their way back to Buckingham Palace in the Coronation Procession.
The Daily Mirror reported that Anne’s official role will be that of “Gold-Stick-in-Waiting”, a position which historically ensures the monarch’s safety and as such must be given to someone trusted.
Following the crowning of King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 6 at Westminster Abbey the new monarchs will make their way back to the Palace in the Gold State Coach. Princess Anne will travel on horseback behind them leading the larger procession, which will feature 6,000 military personnel. The custom dates back several hundred years to Tudor times, when a Gold Stick and a Silver Stick were appointed to keep close to the sovereign and protect them from danger.
According to royal sources, the Princess Royal was “incredibly honoured” to be given the role, with the King delivering the news to her personally. The siblings are known to be close, with Charles often relying on his little sister for advice as he admires her “no nonsense attitude”.
A source from the palace said: “The direction of the King’s decision is clear for all to see. He is rewarding the Princess Royal for her loyalty and her unwavering devotion to duty above all else. The King values his sister as a trusted lieutenant and this is the perfect example of such a relationship.”
It’s nice. I guess. It’s not my hat party and not my king, but I enjoy Anne and Charles’s relationship and I do feel like she’s basically the only one in his life capable of telling him the truth. It also seems like this is how Charles is balancing out the Rise of the Parker Bowleses – making sure that his sister is assured a prominent position. Plus, Anne loves being on horseback and I’m sure it will all look very stately and Medieval. Still, she’ll have to contend with a lot of protesters screaming “Not My King.”
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
- LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: King Charles III and Princess Anne, Princess Royal pay their respects in The Palace of Westminster during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on September 14, 2022 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin is taken in procession on a Gun Carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she will lay in state until the early morning of her funeral. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.,Image: 722680064, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: David Ramos / Avalon
- The body of Queen Elizabeth II is carried to the Palace of Westminster, London followed by His Majesty King Charles III his sons Prince William and Prince Harry as well as Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, September 14 2022. Thousands have turned out to watch the spectacleafter which the former monarch will Lie in State in Westminster Hall. There will be a short service upon the Coffin’s arrival at Westminster Hall, which will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.,Image: 722721807, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Tony Kershaw / SWNS / Avalon
- King Charles, Princess Anne The Princess Royal follows the The coffin of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II carried on a gun carriage as it travels to Westminster Hall where the coffin will be lying in state for four days until the funeral on Monday 19th September – Buckingham Palace, London, England, UK on Wednesday 14 September, 2022.,Image: 722722200, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, King Charles III, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is transported from Westminster Abbey following the funeral service on its journey to its final resting place in Windsor, London, Britain, September 19, 2022.,Image: 724177122, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Marc Aspland The Times/Sunday Times / Avalon
- HRH Princess Anne, Princess Royal seen at Cheltenham Festival -Day 1 Champion Day, Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, Glos UK,Image: 762776122, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
- HRH Princess Anne at Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Gold Cup Day, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Glos,Image: 763498304, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
- HRH Princess Anne at Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Gold Cup Day, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Glos,Image: 763512688, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
- Ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where Her Majesty will lie in state Featuring: Princess Anne the Princess Royal Where: London, United Kingdom When: 14 Sep 2022 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
- State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II held at Westminster Abbey in London. Featuring: King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Peter Phillips Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 19 Sep 2022 Credit: PA Images/ Images **North America Rights Only**