Princess Anne will don her military uniform for this year's Trooping the Colour ceremony, scheduled for 15 June 2024. The 73-year-old Princess Royal, alongside other senior royals, will participate in the parade marking King Charles III's official birthday. She will ride horseback down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade and back to Buckingham Palace, wearing a smart uniform adorned with medals.
Does Princess Anne Have Military Experience?
Despite her frequent appearance in military attire at ceremonial events, Princess Anne has never served in the armed forces. However, she is permitted to wear the uniform due to the numerous honorary titles and appointments she holds within the military. This practice is common among royals who have not served but hold ceremonial ranks.
Princess Anne's Military Titles
Her uniform represents the Royal Navy, reflecting her role as Rear Admiral (appointed in 1993), later promoted to Vice Admiral (2009) and Admiral (2012). In 2020, she was also appointed General in the British Army and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force. Additionally, she holds several Commonwealth titles, including Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Nursing Corps, and Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport.
These honorary positions allow her to wear the uniform at events like Trooping the Colour, alongside Prince William, King Charles, and Prince Edward, who also wear military dress to signify their ranks and branches of service.
