Princess Anne makes history again at the Queen's funeral by defying tradition

The Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth II's only daughter, defied protocol by joining the funeral procession.

Another first for Princess Anne

On Monday, Princess Anne became the first woman ever to join the funeral procession of a ruling monarch, per New Idea.

She joined her siblings, King Charles III, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, as well as her son Peter Philips and her nephews, Prince Harry and Prince William.

She was the only female member of the Royal Family to walk in the procession as the Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, and other members arrived in royal vehicles.

She was also the only female to walk behind the Queen's coffin. According to Mail Online, all other military personnel were men.

However, Page Sixreports that this isn't the first time Princess Anne has defied tradition. She also walked in her father, Prince Philip's funeral procession and her grandmother, the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002.

Every step of the way

Princess Anne was at Queen Elizabeth II's side when she passed away peacefully on Thursday, 8th September. Since then, the Princess Royal hasn't left her mother's side, according to Insider.

Princess Anne has accompanied Queen Elizabeth's coffin from Balmoral to Westminster and every stop in between.

Princess Anne joined her siblings in the procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. Princess Anne participated in the Vigil of Princes, another royal tradition usually reserved for men.

The Princess Royal then accompanied the Queen's casket to Buckingham Palace. Afterwards, the princess joined the processional accompanying the Queen's body to Westminster Hall.

Princess Anne's tendency to make history

Princess Anne is Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's second child. Still, she is 16th in the line of succession because of the system of male primogeniture, where a younger son can displace an elder daughter in the line of succession.

Over the years, Princess Anne has made history on many occasions. This disregard for protocol and tradition could signify a Royal Family trying to modernise.

BBC News reported that 'the message and symbolism of Anne were clear' when she stood vigil. She was a modern-day princess.

Sources used:

- Mail Online: 'Sombre Princess Anne was the only woman in the Queen's coffin procession as she joined her brothers on walk to Westminster Abbey for their mother's funeral'

- New Idea: 'Princess Anne breaks protocol at The Queen's funeral'

- BBC News: 'Princess Anne: The can-do will-do royal'

- Insider: 'From Balmoral to her final resting place at Windsor Castle, Princess Anne was with the Queen's coffin every step of the way'

- Page Six: 'From Balmoral to her final resting place at Windsor Castle, Princess Anne was with the Queen's coffin every step of the way'

Read more:

⋙ Princess Anne: Poll reveals the public wants the Princess Royal to be Queen

⋙ The Queen wanted a not so ‘boring’ funeral, claims ex-archbishop

⋙ The Queen’s funeral: The final stage of the Queen’s journey to Windsor revealed