A distinguished royal biographer, who personally met the late Queen Elizabeth II on more than forty separate occasions throughout her reign, has declared that there is one member of the modern Royal Family whose counsel should invariably be taken with the utmost seriousness. After decades of close observation and study of the monarchy, historian Hugo Vickers asserts that Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, distinguishes herself through her unvarnished honesty and eminently pragmatic perspective.
Contrasting Upbringings Within the Royal Household
Reflecting on the childhoods of the Queen's four children, Vickers highlighted discernible differences in how the elder and younger siblings experienced life under the intense scrutiny of royalty. During a recent appearance on the Daily Mail's Palace Authorised programme, he was directly questioned about whether King Charles III and Princess Anne received divergent treatment compared to their younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
"I think that yes," Vickers confirmed. "Charles and Anne were the first two, and we know that Prince Charles, as he then was, complained a lot about his upbringing, as he discussed with Jonathan Dimbleby. Although, interestingly, he also said how much he liked being at home as opposed to being at school, so he didn't hate the whole experience."
Charles's Childhood: Bonds Beyond His Parents
Despite some well-documented criticisms of his early years, Vickers believes the future monarch still shared affectionate moments with his parents. He referenced a private cine film, never publicly screened, depicting a young Prince Charles in a small boat at Loch Muick in Scotland. "Prince Philip is stepping in in his waders, and Prince Charles is hopping onto his back as they go to the shore. So it wasn't all bad," Vickers noted.
The royal expert elaborated that because Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were frequently absent on official duties—including protracted Commonwealth tours and a period residing in Malta—the young prince often found companionship elsewhere. "He definitely bonded closely elsewhere, though," Vickers explained. "He was left with his grandparents and formed a very strong bond with the Queen Mother, absolutely adoring her. That was a wonderful relationship that lasted right up until she died."
Charles also sought guidance from his great-uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten. "Another person he received a lot of advice from—not always good—was Lord Mountbatten. Sometimes it was sound, robust advice, but sometimes it was rather off-the-wall," Vickers remarked. Additionally, the King maintained a lifelong closeness with his former nanny, Mabel Anderson, visiting her on her centenary birthday.
Princess Anne: The Unmatched Voice of Common Sense
However, when it comes to reliable royal wisdom, Vickers is unequivocal in his praise for the Princess Royal. He told host Jo Elvin, "Princess Anne, on the other hand—you should always listen to everything Princess Anne says. She speaks with complete common sense at all times."
Vickers illustrated this by citing a poignant remark Anne once made about her mother: "She was my Queen and she was my mother." He added, "No problem," emphasising the Princess's ability to articulate complex familial and constitutional roles with clarity and directness. This blend of dutiful respect and personal affection epitomises the no-nonsense, practical approach that Vickers believes makes Anne's insights particularly valuable.
Through his extensive interactions and research, Hugo Vickers provides a unique lens on the inner dynamics of the Royal Family, ultimately positioning Princess Anne as its most dependable and sensible commentator, whose words merit consistent attention and respect.
