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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kyle O'Sullivan

Princess Anne shows softer side by comforting upset children in emotional scenes

Princess Anne showed her softer side today as she returned to Scotland for the first time since leaving with her mother's body. The Princess Royal was at the Queen's bedside when she died at Balmoral last week and accompanied her coffin through Edinburgh and when the late monarch was flown back to London.

Princess Anne has gained a perhaps unfair reputation of being the stoic member of the Royal Family, having once admitted she was not "eveyrone's idea of a fairytale princess". But she is well-regarded as the hardest working royal, having carried out over 20,000 engagements - and was seen comforting grieving children and collecting flowers in Glasgow on Thursday afternoon.

The Princess Royale spoke to a four-year-old girl (PA)

For the latest updates as the world mourns the Queen and King Charles III's reign begins, follow our live blog.

Princess Anne, who is mother to Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, was accompanied by her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, while visiting the Glasgow City Chambers.

She spoke to representatives of organisations of which Queen Elizabeth II was Patron before going outside to greet well-wishers.

The Queen's only daughter had a heartwarming moment with a four-year-old girl who had been patiently waiting.

Princess Anne took floral tributes from people who had gathered to pay their respects and laid them down in front of the building.

The Princess Royal spent a lot of time speaking to members of the public, who were clearly in awe as she walked past.

Along with her brothers, Princess Anne led the procession of her mother's coffin through Edinburgh and accompanied it on the flight back to England.

The Princess Royal talks to members of the public (PA)

It was the Queen herself who selected Anne, who shared her mother's love for horses, to be her companion on her final journey.

And the late monarch was said to have admired her choice not to grant her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, royal titles.

Despite being the Queen's daughter, Anne is not a Counsellor of State, a role which allows certain royals to cover certain duties when the monarch is unable to.

The title is bestowed upon the monarch's spouse and the next four people in line to the throne who are over the age of 21.

This means the current Counsellors of the State are Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice, who has taken on a new title.

Some royal watchers have been shocked by the fact that Princess Anne is not a Counsellor of State because she attends the most royal enagagements.

The Princess Royal looks at floral tributes (PA)

Due to a rule known as male royal primogeniture - Princess Anne is not granted the title, despite being born ahead of Princess Andrew.

The rule means Anne as a female does not get succession rights, bumping the Queen's third-born Andrew up the line ahead of her - and meaning the fourth Counsellor of the State title goes to his eldest, Beatrice.

The male royal primogeniture rule was however changed in 2013 under the Succession to the Crown Act, which gave women equal succession rights to men.

However, the rule is not retrospective, and only applies to those born after October, 28, 2011 - meaning Anne misses out.

Earlier this week, Princess Anne said it had been an honour to be with her mother on her final day.

In a touching statement, Princess Anne said: "I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother's life.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys.

King Charles III and Anne, Princess Royal walk behind the coffin during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II (Getty Images)

"Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.

"We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss.

"We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted."

The Princess Royal also thanked her older brother, who is now King Charles II and automatically became monarch when the Queen died.

She said: "I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch."

In her final comments, she gave one last tribute and said: "To my mother, The Queen, thank you."

* You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here

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