Royal archive released to mark Princess Anne birthday

Rare footage and a new portrait mark Princess Anne birthday, offering a glimpse into royal family history.

Rare footage of Queen Elizabeth released for Princess Anne birthday

Rare archival footage has been released by the royal household to mark the 75th birthday of Princess Anne. The clip shows the Princess Royal as a baby being held by her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, a moment rarely seen by the public. A new formal portrait of Anne was also released, photographed outside Gatcombe Park by John Swannell.

The princess has chosen a low key celebration this year, avoiding major public events and instead hosting a charity forum in June. The release of archival material follows a pattern of balancing private history with official duty in a changing media landscape.

The move to publish private footage reflects how the royal family uses archival material to shape public memory. It frames Elizabeth II and Anne as connected figures across generations, offering a narrative of continuity that sits alongside official duties. In a media era driven by quick hits, such moments invite slower, more intimate engagement with history.

Yet such releases carry questions about privacy and control. Critics may see them as soft power that sustains public interest, while supporters argue they humanize a distant institution and remind people of service and duty.

Highlights

Memories like these keep the royal story moving forward