Princess Anne is drawing fresh interest after a rare childhood photograph from 1963 showed just how closely she resembled her daughter, Zara Tindall, at a similar age. According to Hello!, the black-and-white image was taken during a Wimbledon outing and featured the young princess in the royal box with Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Marina. Dressed in a collared outfit with a thick headband, Anne appeared cheerful as she applauded the action on court, creating a striking parallel with Zara’s familiar features decades later.
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Princess Anne Appears at Wimbledon in 1963
The image captures a relaxed moment from Anne’s early years in public life. She was seated in the royal box for an afternoon of tennis, smiling and clapping as players competed below. Prince Michael of Kent, described as her first cousin once removed, was also present alongside his mother, Princess Marina. The photograph stands out not only because it is rarely seen, but because it offers a clear glimpse of Anne before adulthood and before the demanding role she would later take on as the Princess Royal.
Zara Tindall Link Stands Out in Rare Snapshot
The family resemblance is hard to miss. Anne’s facial features in the photo closely mirror those of Zara Tindall, now 45, particularly in the shape of her face and expression. Zara is one of Anne’s two children from her marriage to Captain Mark Phillips. Their son Peter Phillips, now 48, is Zara’s older brother. Anne and Mark later divorced in 1992. That same year, Anne married Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence in a private ceremony held on 12 December, marking a new chapter in her personal life.
Princess Anne Keeps Up a Demanding Royal Schedule
The resurfaced image arrives during another busy period for Anne, whose workload continues to place her among the most active members of the monarchy. As reported by Hello!, she carried out 478 engagements last year, second only to King Charles, who logged 532. The Duke of Edinburgh followed with 313, while the Duchess of Edinburgh completed 235. Those figures underline Anne’s long-running commitment to official duties, charity work and public appearances, a pace she has maintained for decades.
Bob Piper Urges the Princess Royal to Slow Down
During The Not Forgotten Association’s annual garden party at Buckingham Palace, Anne met Second World War veteran Robert “Bob” Piper, who had a direct message for her. "I said to her, you know, she's got to slow down. She's done it for so many years and she is a pro, she knows all the answers before you do," Mr Piper told the Press Association. The exchange added a human note to Anne’s latest engagement and reflected the respect she continues to command through steady service and discipline.
