The modest event at Crathie Church near Balmoral Castle was attended by close family, including her father, Prince Philip, and her children, Zara and Peter.

Anne wore a simple white suit and adorned her hair with white flowers, while Laurence donned his Royal Navy uniform. The couple exchanged vows to remain together “until God shall separate us by death,” in front of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, and the Queen Mother.

3. Princess Anne’s Alleged Affair with Her Bodyguard

Peter Cross, a former royal protection officer, once claimed to have had an affair with Princess Anne during her marriage to Phillips. “She made all the running in our friendship,” Cross revealed about the affair that reportedly began in August 1980.

Initially assigned to protect the Princess at Gatcombe Park in 1979, he later admitted that their relationship grew intimate, despite both being married at the time.

Cross disclosed that their bond developed through late-night conversations and moments of vulnerability, particularly when Anne felt isolated due to her husband’s frequent absences.

Peter Cross’s ex-wife, Linda, provided a candid perspective on his infidelity with Princess Anne. She described her husband as a man who couldn’t resist women and noted that they were often drawn to him as well.

Throughout their marriage, Linda had encountered two of his girlfriends, who showed up at their doorstep in tears. However, when it came to his involvement with Princess Anne, Linda recognized that this affair was different.

She acknowledged that he was “playing with fire” and could get “seriously burnt.” Cross publicly confirmed the affair in 1985, after leaving the police force and transitioning to a career in insurance.

His relationship with the Princess reportedly continued even after he was reassigned from royal duties, with Anne maintaining contact through secretive phone calls and private meetings.

Cross’s former partner, Gillian Nicholls, noted that the affair cast a shadow over their relationship, as the Princess’ presence loomed in the background.

Despite the scandal, Anne’s marriage to Phillips initially endured, though it eventually ended. Cross himself remarried and started a family, but his connection to the Princess remained a significant chapter of his life, one that was later revisited in media portrayals like “The Crown.”

4. Royal Expert on Who Commented on Prince Archie’s Skin Color

Lady Colin Campbell has made the controversial claim that Princess Anne is the royal family member whom Meghan Markle and Prince Harry accused of racism during their highly-publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey.

However, Lady Colin insists that the Princess Royal’s concerns were entirely misunderstood by the Sussexes. According to Lady Colin, Princess Anne’s apprehensions were not about Markle’s mixed-race background.

But it was rather about her suitability and whether she would respect the traditions and expectations of the Royal Family. She suggests that the Princess was worried about the potential challenges Markle’s character and cultural differences might bring, both for the Royal Family and any future children.

The Sussexes, however, implied during the Oprah interview that a family member had expressed “concerns and conversations” about how dark their son Prince Archie’s skin might be when he was born, though they did not name the individual.

Lady Colin claims that Prince Harry, interpreting a subtle comment about cultural differences as a reference to race, shared it with Meghan, who then allegedly “weaponized” the concern.

In her podcast, “Chatting with Lady C,” Lady Colin argued that the situation was a misunderstanding, emphasizing that Princess Anne’s concerns were related to cultural differences rather than race.

She cited a royal insider who reiterated that the Princess was worried about Meghan’s ability to adapt to the royal institution and respect its traditions, not about her ethnicity.

Lady Colin further defended Princess Anne. She stated that her concerns were those of a “loving aunt” who was experienced and practical, and who foresaw potential issues with Markle’s integration into the royal family.

5. Princess Anne’s Past Romance with Queen Camilla’s Former Husband

Princess Anne shares a close bond with her sister-in-law, Queen Camilla, who has been married to King Charles III since 2005. However, their families have long been connected.

Camilla’s first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, was once romantically involved with Princess Anne. Anne and Andrew began dating in 1970, but their relationship never became serious due to his Catholic faith, which made marriage unlikely.

Despite the end of their romance, Anne and Andrew have remained on very good terms; he is even the godfather of her daughter, Zara Tindall. They frequently reconnect at horse racing events, where their shared love of horses continues to bring them together.

Despite all scandalous affairs, Princess Anne is known for her warmth, hard work for charity, and engaging personality. Even though she has a busy schedule, she never pauses for breaks and connects easily with those she meets.

Whether recalling travels to Ghana or discussing vintage cars, she disarms people with her charm. A royal protection officer described her as “a gem” and one of the nicest and most hardworking royals.