With Prince Andrew’s removal from royal patronages and military titles, Anne, Charles’ stoic and diligent sister, has emerged as a key figure in his inner circle, especially as he prepares for his coronation on May 6.
As the monarchy faces increasing scrutiny, Charles needs to earn the public’s favor, and Anne could be a valuable resource for him. In November, Charles introduced legislation that would make Anne a counselor of state, along with their youngest brother, Prince Edward. Parliament passed the legislation the following month, allowing Anne or Edward to stand in for the king if he was ill or abroad.
Marlene Koenig, a royal historian, believes that Anne and Charles’ proximity in age allowed them to weather changes together despite the constraints of being royal. The two siblings grew up in the 1960s when there was a significant social change within the United Kingdom and the world, but the constraints of the monarchy still existed.
Koenig suggested that Anne’s bond with Charles strengthened due to her lack of judgment towards his tumultuous marriage to Princess Diana. Anne’s involvement with more than 300 organizations, charities, and military units has earned her the nickname of “the equivalent of the royal Energizer Bunny.”
She served as the president of the Save the Children fund from 1970 to 2017 and has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1988. She has also been carrying out more royal engagements than any other living royal, told Business Insider.
Anne’s curtsy to her mother’s coffin as it was brought into the Palace of Holyroodhouse after a six-hour procession to Edinburgh in September has struck a chord with royal watchers around the world. The moment showed her admiration for Elizabeth, even after her death, and reflected the traditional respect for members of an older generation.