Charles shares unseen behind-the-scenes Coronation snap to mark special day

15 August 2023 , 09:49

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Charles shares unseen behind-the-scenes Coronation snap to mark special day

King Charles has shared a never-before-seen photo from his Coronation to mark a special day for the Royal Family.

Today is the birthday of his younger sister Princess Anne who turns 73 - and as is customary when working royals turn a year older, her big day was marked on the royals' official social media accounts.

Anne was no exception on Tuesday when the King sent a public birthday message to Anne with the message: "Wishing Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal a very Happy Birthday today" alongside two charming pictures. And one of the photos shows the brother and sister duo at Charles' Coronation earlier this year at Buckingham Palace after the historic crowning ceremony.

Princess Anne with her brother King Charles on his Coronation day (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for B)

The pair can be seen exchanging sweet smiles with Anne still wearing her Blues and Royals military uniform, complete with the distinctive red feather plume in her hat. Charles is also pictured wearing his elaborate robes and the Imperial State Crown.

Meanwhile, the second picture shows Charles and Anne as young children both in prams. In the heartwarming photo, which dates back to 1951, the now King can be seen tenderly holding his little sister's hand as she flashes a cute smile.#

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The warm gesture comes just days after Charles' daughter-in-law Meghan Markle was snubbed by royals when she celebrated her own birthday alongside family and friends in California. Usually just working members of the monarchy are recognised on royal social media channels, but the royal family's account did so for Meghan's birthday in 2021 and 2020 after she had quit as a working royal.

Charles pictured looking at Anne when they were youngsters

Anne was born at Clarence House on August 15 1950 - the only daughter of Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh. She was at the late Queen's bedside in Balmoral Castle when she died in September last year, and this is her first birthday since her mother's death.

Anne is known for her no-nonsense approach and her work ethic. Involved with more than 300 charities, organisations and military regiments, she is considered one of the hardest-working members of the royal family. She is the mother of silver medal-winning Olympic horsewoman Zara Tindall and businessman Peter Phillips, and is married to second husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

A skilled horsewoman, the princess won the individual championship at Burghley in 1971, and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. She also competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics as a three-day eventer in the British equestrian team. In 1974, she survived an attempted kidnapping when a gunman tried to abduct her and then husband Captain Mark Phillips as they were being driven along The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

The brother and sister in military uniform at their mother the late Queen's funeral (Getty Images)

Charles and Anne are known to have a close sibling bond with the Princess of Royal working hard to support her brother in his role as King. And according to a royal expert, this is very similar to the relationship shared by younger royals Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Speaking to OK!, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond explained: "Charles and Anne were both so young when their mother very suddenly became Queen and took on all the responsibilities that the job entailed. So they were thrown together, under the watch of their nannies and grandparents, during their parents’ long absences from home.

"George and Charlotte are enjoying a much more normal upbringing with hands-on parenting from both William and Catherine — and they also have time to get used to the idea that their parents will one day be King and Queen. I’m sure in years to come George will be hugely grateful for his sister’s support, she looks as if she is more than ready to help out both her brothers when needed."

Jennifer Newton