Princess Anne, reportedly, sympathizes with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She said, in an interview, that she understands the kind of pressure the Duke and Duchess of Sussex face as younger royals.
Robert Hardman talked with the Princess Royal for an upcoming documentary, where she bared what she really thinks of Prince Harry and Meghan's situation. Princess Anne, apparently, said that younger royals like her nephew and his wife are under immense pressure from the media and they don't have easy roles as today's public royal figures.
Princess Anne said the media will always be interested in the new, young and glamorous royals, as she experienced in her youth. But, Prince Harry and Meghan also face pressure from social media, which was non-existent during her time. In a way, the Queen's daughter said that this makes her glad because she doesn't know how to handle such a path.
The pressure became a factor for Princess Anne to raise her children, Peter and Zara, out of the royal spotlight. Hardman said that her grown kids are grateful for their mother's decision because Peter and Zara still pretty much enjoy a normal life despite having the Queen for a grandmother.
Hardman commended Princess Anne because she knew early on that she was going to work, serve and not be the fairytale princess. Because of this mindset, Queen Elizabeth's only daughter didn't feel any pressure to be a figurehead.
In another interview with Vanity Fair, Princess Anne said that she also understands Prince Harry and Meghan's big decision to give up their royal life and not let their son have a royal title. She said that it may be easier for her nephew and his family because there is a downside to having this royal distinction.
In her opinion, Prince Harry and Meghan's move was "probably the right thing to do." But, at the same time, Princess Anne also reflected on how much the younger members of the royal family want to change things up and reinvent what has been tried and tested in the institution.
Princess Anne is celebrating her 70th birthday on Aug. 15 but ITV is airing the documentary about her life on July 29. The feature will include anecdotes from her children, her husband Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence, and long-time friends. The show will touch on the Princess Royal as a public servant, daughter of Queen Elizabeth, mother and wife, and confidante.
