Princess Anne's Palatial Home Is Surprisingly Cozy – A Look Inside

May 17, 2021 by apost team

Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's only daughter has led a quiet and more private life than many of her nieces and nephews. Like most of her siblings, she shares mostly formal photos and pre-approved stories, all of which are posted only when they are officially sanctioned. Royal fans rarely get a look inside Anne's life regardless, however, as even though she has been reported to be one of the busiest working senior members of the royal family, Prince Charles and Prince William are in line for the throne and tend to make the news more often. 

In February 2021, the royal family's social media handles gave a rare look into Anne's home with a photograph. In the photo, the 72-year-old Anne is dressed casually in a maroon sweater and black fleece vest as she sits with her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, watching the Calcutta Cup rugby match between England and Scotland. Architectural Digest reported that Anne is a patron of the Scotland team. This was one of the first-ever looks into the royal's home, and it gives a glimpse at Anne's style when it comes to her living quarters. 

Anne lives in Gatcombe Park in a 730-acre estate between the villages of Minchinhampton and Avening in Gloucestershire. According to Hello Magazine, the home reportedly features five main bedrooms, four secondary bedrooms, four reception rooms, a billiard room, a conservatory and a library. Royal fans got a peek into the living room of the home in the photo, and it looks wonderfully cozy and warm inside. 

In the photo uploaded onto social media, Anne showed fans that despite being a royal, she is just like any other person when it comes to her home. Many people may have the idea that a royal home needs to be constantly tidy and organized, but Anne's living room is a little cluttered and quite cozy, with a dog bed situated next to the TV. The dog bed was something that fans were quick to pick up on according to Hello Magazine and loved seeing that Anne loves her dogs. 

Along with the plush floral-printed, melon-colored couch couches, there are also two cabinets filled with framed photos and knickknacks, as well as books, figurines, and more photos seen across the length of the living room. The cream-colored walls are embedded here and there with a few framed works of art, all of which appear to depict various seaside scenes. Most royal fans were taken by how comfortable the home looked, with one person having commented, "I love that their house looks like anyone’s house." Another person added, "I love the lived-in cosy look," and one more person chimed in saying, "Love it, feels like home." Anne is certainly a fan favorite when it comes to the royals. 

The photo was uploaded to Instagram as well as Twitter with the caption:

"As @scotlandteam Patron, The Princess Royal often supports the team from the stands.
Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Sir Tim cheered Scotland on from home today as they played England for the Calcutta Cup, 150 years since their first match🏆
Well played, Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿"

apost.com

According to Historic England, the estate that Anne and Laurence currently live in was first sold to political economist David Ricardo in 1814 after he made his fortune on the stock exchange. English architect George Basevi was employed to work on the house a few years later and reportedly, "very little has been altered since the 1820s." Country Living reported that in 1976, the queen bought the property from the conservative politician R.A. Butler as a present for Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, after their wedding in 1973. 

Anne and Mark Philips moved into the estate a year later and raised their two children, Peter and Zara, on the estate. However, the couple divorced in 1992, after which Philips moved into Aston Farm, which is nearby. Anne then married her current husband, who has helped her to maintain the estate ever since. 

Country Living also reported that Gatcombe is run as a working farm with a range of livestock, including breeding horses and cattle today. Moreover, the Festival of British Eventing, which reflects both Anne and her daughter Zara's passion for equestrian events, takes place on the grounds of the estate every August. 

About her home, Country Living reported that Anne told BBC, "It's really nice to come back and just be yourself in an area like this." She also added that farming is vital to the upkeep of the estate. "Being able to take on a place like this – for me, I’ve got to make it work," she explained. "This is not something that comes free, this has got to pay it’s way, otherwise I can’t stay here."

What do you think of Princess Anne's cozy home? Tell us your thoughts, and be sure to show this gorgeous home to the royal fans in your life as well.