Princess Anne opened up on her life as a royal, her work and her family in a rare interview marking the year she is turning 70. And she also spoke about her decision not to give royal titles to her two children, a move mirrored more than 40 years later by Meghan and Prince Harry. 

The Princess Royal, whose birthday is on August 15, briefly touched upon the subject, conceding this choice may have made Zara and Peter Phillips’ lives easier.

Princess Anne told Vanity Fair: “I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles.

“So I think that was probably the right thing to do.”

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This statement has been seen by some commentators and royal fans as a nod to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

More than 40 years ago, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips rejected an offer from the Queen and Prince Philip that would have enabled their future children to be born into peerage.

Because of this, Zara and Peter, rather than becoming working royals, have pursued their private careers.  

Zara became an Olympian, while Peter has held positions at Jaguar, Williams F1 racing team, and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Meghan and Prince Harry made the same choice in 2019, likely turning down the Queen’s offer to give their son Archie Harrison a title.

By not becoming a duke, earl or prince, Archie will be able to pursue his own career and interest without being under the public scrutiny, as highlighted by royal expert Daniela Elser.   

Following the birth of Archie, the expert told News.com.au: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided against letting their son be titled the Earl of Dumbarton, rather he will be known by the more democratic Master.

“Their reasoning is simple: they want the lad to have as normal a life as possible, unencumbered by a future of plaque unveilings, horse shows and endless Commonwealth cocktail parties.

“Also, perhaps more importantly, they want to keep him as far away from the glare of the intrusive, insatiable press as they can short of forcing him to grow up on an isolated Pacific atoll with no Wi-Fi.” 

In her interview, Princess Anne also issued a warning to young royals striving to look for new ways to do their jobs.

She said: “I don’t think this younger generation probably understands what I was doing in the past and it’s often true, isn’t it?

“You don’t necessarily look at the previous generation and say, ‘Oh, you did that?’ Or, ‘You went there?’

“Nowadays, they’re much more looking for, ‘Oh let’s do it a new way.’ 

“And I’m already at the stage, ‘Please do not reinvent that particular wheel.

“‘We’ve been there, done that.

“‘Some of these things don’t work.

“‘You may need to go back to basics’.”     

Read the full feature in the May issue of Vanity Fair available via digital download and on newsstands Friday 17th April 

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