Princess Anne’s private life with her grandchildren offers a contrast to the disciplined image she presents on royal duty. When she is away from official engagements, the Princess Royal can spend time at Gatcombe Park with her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, who both live nearby. That close family setup means regular contact with her grandchildren, including Zara and Mike Tindall’s children Mia, Lena and Lucas, as well as Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s blended family. According to Hello!, Anne’s role as a grandmother is one part of her life where her reserve eases.
Ingrid Seward Shares Insight on Anne’s Family Side
Royal editor Ingrid Seward said Anne’s approach to family is very different from the one often seen in public. "Anne has a very masculine energy but definitely has a soft side, like Prince Philip did, and she is very proud of Peter and Zara," Ingrid Seward told Hello Magazine. Seward also explained that Anne has long avoided public displays of affection during engagements, preferring a more formal style. Yet that distance does not apply at home, where her bond with her own family appears much warmer and more relaxed.
Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips Describe Sunday Visits
A rare glimpse into that home life came from Anne’s children during an ITV documentary marking her 70th birthday. "She loves seeing them ride; she loves having them round for Sunday lunches and taking them for walks, doing all the things that we would do as kids. We quite like leaving them on Sundays. We'll say: 'We'll pick them up later – bye,'" Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall said according to Hello!. Their comments painted a picture of a hands-on grandmother who enjoys ordinary family routines as much as major milestones.
Princess Anne Keeps Equestrian Traditions Close
Horse riding remains central to Anne’s family life. Gatcombe Park has long been a hub for equestrian events, and the Princess Royal shares that passion with her children and grandchildren. She has been seen attending competitions including the Festival of British Eventing and Whatley Manor Horse Trials, both linked to her estate. One affectionate moment from 2016 still stands out: Anne kissed Mia Tindall on the cheek while watching Zara compete at a charity polo match. It was a rare public glimpse of the tenderness usually kept behind palace walls.
Princess Anne Says Her Grandchildren All Cook
Even with family living close by, Anne has admitted she does not see her grandchildren as often as she would like. She has also spoken about passing on values tied to the countryside and conservation. "I don’t see so much of them but making the point that they live in an area which they shouldn’t take for granted is important I think; both my children are aware of that," said Princess Anne according to Hello!. During a 2025 visit to The Naval Children’s Charity, she added another detail about family life, joking that her grandchildren "all cook, actually."
