There are a number of illustrious individuals that serve as role models for Princess Charlotte, including Kings, Crown Princes, and, of course, her courageous mother, Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales. The only person the nine-year-old is in awe of is her great-aunt, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, who is 73 years old and has become her unofficial "princess coach."
A recent brain injury has forced Princess Anne to reduce the number of royal engagements she attends. However, she has no intention of sitting around doing nothing. She has taken Charlotte under her wing in order to provide her with a crash course in princess etiquette, just as she did with Kate many years ago.
“Kate and William are thrilled. They couldn’t imagine a better role model than Anne, who is renowned for her work ethic and impregnable support for the King. She doesn’t put a foot wrong while still having her opinions not only heard but respected. Anne was invaluable to Kate during those early uncertain years, especially as a commoner. She wants Charlotte to have the same candid tough love Anne gave her,” an unnamed source told Woman’s Day Australia.
Despite the fact that they share a passion for dance and athletics, Princess Charlotte and Princess Anne have already established a strong connection. This is mostly due to the late Queen Elizabeth.
“Anne has found herself fulfilling several unexpected roles left by her mother that the King’s unable to attend to. And ensuring the female members of the family are con dent and loyal was something very important to Queen Elizabeth. Anne’s been proud to step into that role, providing guidance to everyone from Kate to Sophie [Duchess of Edinburgh] to Lady Louise [Windsor] and especially Charlotte, who, like her, is number two to the crown,” the anonymous insider said.
One of the ways that Princess Charlotte has already impressed her siblings is through her impeccable manners and strict devotion to tradition. She even reminded Prince George to bow during the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth.
“Anne couldn’t hope for a more receptive student. Charlotte’s genuinely interested in the unwritten rules and protocols, how the palace runs and the traditions it keeps. She loves listening to her grandfather’s history stories. Charles and Anne are constantly delighted by her questions and genuine interest,” the informant told the entertainment news outlet.
“Charlotte’s getting older now and wants to take an active role and help take the load o her mum, like she did at Wimbledon, shaking hands and chatting to patrons. Anne’s ‘training,’ if you will, isn’t just about rank, file and curtsies either. She’s shown her how to spark conversations, but also how to end one and move on without upsetting anyone. That was a tough one for Kate to learn, but Charlotte was born to royalty so is used to the subtle signals and messaging the royals give to stay in control of a situation,” the tipster added.
“Anne’s also inadvertently giving her some juicy gossip on the family by going through some of the worst faux pas a royal can make, from her uncle partying in Nazi uniforms to Beatrice’s dreadful fascinator at her parents’ wedding,” the mole went on.
It has also been asserted that the most significant aspect of Princess Anne's time spent with Princess Charlotte is the instruction of how to have a conversation that is flawless, which is something that Charlotte adores.
“They’re talking ALL the time about everything and anything – women’s football, sailing, horses, ballet, fashion, manners… Essentially she’s fool-proofing Charlotte into becoming the perfect princess and standby queen,” the tattler said.
Prince William and Princess Kate are eager for Prince George and Princess Charlotte to have a relationship that is similar to that of King Charles and Princess Anne. They don't want Prince George and Princess Charlotte to ever feel competitive or end up like Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, and they couldn't have a better teacher than Anne, as per SheKnows.
“Anne sees so much of herself in Charlotte. They even look alike, but Charlotte’s likeness to the late Queen is uncanny and there’s no doubt it’s why Anne has an extra soft spot for her great-niece,” the naysayer stated.
Business Times has reached out to Princess Anne for comments.
