What was Princess Anne's cutting response when informed Prince William had been born?

They’ve long had a special royal relationship.

Born just two years apart before their mother was Queen, King Charles and Princess Anne have a special understanding of the monarchy.

As young adults, they went on foreign tours together to represent the Queen.

Today, Princess Anne is thought of as Charles’s right-hand woman – someone who, without a word being spoken, understands what is required.

Princess Anne and Prince Charles laughing together in the grounds at Balmoral Castle

Princess Anne and Prince Charles laughing together in the grounds at Balmoral Castle

Prince Charles and Princess Anne pictured together in 1970. They often worked together in their early years of front-line duty

Prince Charles and Princess Anne pictured together in 1970. They often worked together in their early years of front-line duty

King Charles regards his sister, Princess Anne, as his right-hand woman. They are pictured here at the St George's Chapel committal service for their mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in February 2022

King Charles regards his sister, Princess Anne, as his right-hand woman. They are pictured here at the St George’s Chapel committal service for their mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in February 2022

Yet there was a period when things were less easy between them, notably in the 1980s when Diana Spencer entered the family.

According to Battle of Brothers by Robert Lacey, Anne’s ‘notorious frostiness seemed to grow a couple of degrees chillier whether the subject of Diana came up’.

Anne appears to have been unreceptive when told that Diana had given birth to Prince William in June 1982.

The princess had been touring Indian reservations in New Mexico for Save the Children when a reporter asked for her reaction to the good news.

‘I didn’t know she had one,’ the princess snapped.

Another reporter tried with:

‘Do you think everyone is making too much fuss of the baby?’

‘Yes,’ came the curt response.

Why the froideur?

At the time, says Lacey, Anne was undertaking more than 200 engagements a year compared with Diana’s 50 and only 90-plus for Charles.

According to Lacey, a Palace insider explained as follows:

‘Anne works very hard and sees her sister-in-law picking up the glory. She’s sick to the back teeth with it all.’

Diana with Princess Anne at a polo match near London on the weekend before Diana's wedding

Diana with Princess Anne at a polo match near London on the weekend before Diana’s wedding

Apparently frosty times on the balcony for Trooping the Colour in 1983

Apparently frosty times on the balcony for Trooping the Colour in 1983

Princess Diana and Princess Anne at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday, 1983

Princess Diana and Princess Anne at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday, 1983

Princess Anne attends a private reception given by the governor of New Mexico at The Palace of the Governors in 1982. When asked about the birth of Prince William, first child to Charles and Diana, she seemed irritated

Princess Anne attends a private reception given by the governor of New Mexico at The Palace of the Governors in 1982. When asked about the birth of Prince William, first child to Charles and Diana, she seemed irritated

Prince William arrived on the 6th June 1982 much to the delight of the nation and world's press camped outside the Lindo Wing. Princess Anne did not seem so delighted at the time

Prince William arrived on the 6th June 1982 much to the delight of the nation and world’s press camped outside the Lindo Wing. Princess Anne did not seem so delighted at the time

Press photographers wait outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital following the birth of Prince William  in 1982

Press photographers wait outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital following the birth of Prince William  in 1982

Prince Charles and Princess Diana leave St Mary's with their baby son

Prince Charles and Princess Diana leave St Mary’s with their baby son

The Prince and Princess of Wales left The Lindo Wing in the back of a car with Prince Charles and the new baby

The Prince and Princess of Wales left The Lindo Wing in the back of a car with Prince Charles and the new baby

Diana, Princes of Wales, surrounded by family and friends, holds baby son Prince William as she sits with Queen Elizabeth ll and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in August 1982. Princess Anne sits on the arm of the sofa directly behind her mother

Diana, Princes of Wales, surrounded by family and friends, holds baby son Prince William as she sits with Queen Elizabeth ll and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in August 1982. Princess Anne sits on the arm of the sofa directly behind her mother

A group portrait to mark the Christening of Peter Phillips in December 1977.  Prince Charles, who was asked to be Godfather, stands second from the left

A group portrait to mark the Christening of Peter Phillips in December 1977.  Prince Charles, who was asked to be Godfather, stands second from the left

A photograph marking the Christening of Prince Harry at Windsor Castle on December 21, 1984. The royal relatives seem amused at the antics of young Prince William. Princess Anne was not among the guests. She was away in Gloucestershire shooting rabbits

A photograph marking the Christening of Prince Harry at Windsor Castle on December 21, 1984. The royal relatives seem amused at the antics of young Prince William. Princess Anne was not among the guests. She was away in Gloucestershire shooting rabbits

The depth of the ill-feeling was exposed soon afterward when, although Anne had asked Charles to be a Godparent to her first child, Peter Phillips, the compliment was not reciprocated.

Anne was not invited to be William’s Godmother and was not on the list when it came to Prince Harry’s turn to be baptised in 1984.

The Princess made her feelings clear, says Lacey. As Harry was carried to the font at St George’s chapel, Windsor, Anne was out with her husband in the Gloucestershire countryside – shooting rabbits.

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