Princess Anne and her family were supposed to travel to Balmoral, Scotland this week to join Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. They had a plan to celebrate the Princess Royal's 70th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 15, but had to cancel the small family celebration amid a reinstated lockdown in Aberdeen.
According to reports, Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, had already scrapped the trip to Balmoral due to the COVID-19 restrictions. She and her husband, Mike Tindall, as well as their two children, Mia, 6, and Lena, 2, were supposed to travel north but the Scottish county handed down new travel orders just after Queen Elizabeth arrived at her estate.
In an interview with The One Show on BBC, Mike confirmed that the new local lockdown orders halted their plans for Princess Anne's big day on Saturday. However, Mike said they will be doing something else to honor an incredible woman who always gets so much work done in the royal family.
Princess Anne also had a special sailing trip planned with her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, on the Scottish coast. She apparently relishes this sailing trip every year because it's bonding time for her and her husband.
But the princess was able to spend time with her mother before the monarch left Windsor for Scotland a week ago. Queen Elizabeth reportedly treated Princess Anne to a special lunch since she also had a royal engagement in Windsor at that time.
Meanwhile, the royal family's official social media accounts have been giving Princess Anne tributes ahead of her actual birthday. A series of throwback photos of the princess were shared on their official Instagram this week.
The photos also highlighted the Princess Royal's work with The Firm beginning at age 21 until today. The Royal Family Instagram also applauded her other successes as an Olympic equestrienne and British Eventing Team member.
As Aberdeen deals with new COVID-19 cases, the Queen and Prince Philip, both deemed vulnerable due to their age, remain safe at their Balmoral estate. The staff serving Her Majesty and her husband are strictly expected to abide by safety protocols.
Guests at Balmoral are also advised to observe social distancing and may only spend time with the Queen outdoors. A few days ago, Prince Edward, Princess Anne's youngest brother, was seen joining the Queen for her walk, alongside his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and their two teenage kids.
