Palace Honours Princess Anne With Key Update After Charles Spencer’s Claim
Princess Anne has been honoured by Buckingham Palace in a new statement highlighting her work after Charles Spencer’s claim that the Princess Royal once made him “feel small” brings renewed attention to a decades-old encounter between the pair.
On September 24, King Charles’ office shared a series of photographs showing Anne in good spirits as she attended the 50th anniversary celebrations of Farms for City Children.
The charity was founded by Sir Michael Morpurgo and Lady Clare Morpurgo and has spent five decades giving children and young people the opportunity to experience life on working farms.
According to the Palace, more than 108,000 young people have participated in its immersive residential programmes, with a particular focus on children from cities and those experiencing inequality.
During her visit to Nethercott House, Anne met pupils and teachers from John Donne Primary School as they took part in practical activities connected with rural and agricultural life.
“At Nethercott House, Her Royal Highness met visiting children and teachers from John Donne Primary School as they groomed farm animals and tended to produce,” the Palace said.
The positive update arrives as Anne has unexpectedly become part of the discussion surrounding Spencer’s newly released memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
Princess Diana’s younger brother recalled an uncomfortable conversation with Anne at a formal Buckingham Palace dinner shortly before Diana married the then-Prince Charles.
Spencer, who was 17 at the time, said he found himself sitting beside Anne and attempted to begin a polite conversation by asking about the christening of her daughter Zara.
“It transpired, to my alarm, that I was actually placed next to Anne,” Spencer wrote, recalling that he asked: “And how did your daughter’s christening go today, Ma’am?”
Spencer said he expected Anne to talk about the happy family occasion, but instead remembered her responding: “Tell me, how’s a christening supposed to go?”
The Earl described the encounter as embarrassing and suggested Anne’s reaction left him feeling small, using the experience to contrast different interactions he remembered having with members of the Royal Family.
There is no indication that Buckingham Palace’s latest post about Anne was released in response to Spencer’s anecdote, and the Princess Royal has not publicly addressed his recollection. The Palace update instead focused entirely on her longstanding charitable responsibilities.
Still, its timing puts a markedly different spotlight on Anne as Spencer’s memoir continues generating headlines. While his book revisits an awkward encounter from more than four decades ago, Buckingham Palace is keeping attention on the Princess Royal’s present-day work, celebrating her involvement with a charity that has supported more than 108,000 children and young people.
