Princess Anne will keep the title of Princess Royal as it is a lifelong title. Princess Anne, 72, is Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest daughter, and was given the honorary title in 1987.
There have been seven Princess Royals throughout history, with Princess Anne currently the seventh incumbent of the title. It is usually given to the first born daughter of a reigning monarch, and only held by one member of the Royal Family at a time.
Princess Anne famously turned down Queen Elizabeth II’s offer to make her daughter Zara Tindall a princess when she was born in 1981. However, she accepted her honorary title of Princess Royal in 1987 at the age of 37.
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What is the Princess Royal title?
Princess Royal is said to be the highest honour that can be given to a female member of the Royal Family. However, with the line of succession changing with the Succession to the Crown Act in 2013 to allow daughters of future UK monarchs the same right to the throne as sons that could be set to change.
The title of Princess Royal was first introduced by Queen Henrietta Maria - the wife of King Charles I and daughter of Henry IV, King of France - who was inspired by the French Royal Family’s title for the ruling monarch’s daughter, Madame Royale. Her daughter Princess Mary, born 1631, became the first Princess Royal in 1642, Lancs Live reports.
Will Princess Anne keep the Princess Royal title?
Yes, the title is held for life - even after the death of the reigning monarch who bestowed it. Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death at the age of 96 at Balmoral on Thursday, there have been a number of changes to Royal titles.
First and foremost is the accession of King Charles III, alongside which Camille became Queen Consort. Prince William, formerly Duke of Cambridge, has become Prince of Wales, whilst Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, has become Princess of Wales.
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will not receive additional royal titles. However their children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, have become Prince and Princess.
Will Princess Charlotte be a Princess Royal?
As King Charles III has no daughters Princess Charlotte could well become the next Princess Royal but it depends on a number of factors. Prince William would have to become King following King Charles III’s abdication or death for Princess Charlotte to be eligible to be named Princess Royal.
The title can only be held by one member of the Royal family. This means that Princess Charlotte could only become a Princess Royal if the title was vacant, following the death of Princess Anne.
Additionally, the title is not automatically inherited and has to be granted by the reigning monarch. If he became King, Prince William would have to decide to bestow the honorary title onto his daughter.
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