Princess Anne's life in images: How she became the 'hardest working royal'

Princess Anne has always lived her life in the limelight.

Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Windsor was born on 15 August 1950.

She is the second child of Queen Elizabeth's union to Prince Philip and their only daughter.

Since 1987, she holds the title of Princess Royal, which, to this day, still remains. 

Princess Anne has become a professional equestrian, winning a gold medal in 1971 and two silver medals in 1975.

In 1976, she became the first ever member of the Royal family to take part in the Olympic Games.

Princess Anne was third in the line of succession to the throne when she was born. She is now 17th.

Princess Anne and her three brothers were raised by a governess named Catherine Peebles.

Princess Anne went to the Benenden boarding school in 1963 and left in 1969 with six GCE O-levels and two A-levels.

She began undertaking official royal duties in 1969, at the age of 18.

In 1970, she had a brief relationship with Andrew Parker Bowles, who later married the now Queen Consort, Camilla Shand. 

In 1976, she competed in the Montreal Olympics as a member of the Royal Family. However, she suffered a concussion halfway through the ride. The Princess got back up and finished her jumps.

She has been a patron of the Riding for the Disabled Association since 1971, and she became the President in 1985, a position she still holds.

Princess Anne met Captain Mark Phillips at a party for horse lovers in 1968.

The couple got married on 14th November 1973 at Westminster Abbey, in front of 100 million people watching on their television.

Princess Anne and Mark Phillips had two children together: Peter, born in 1977, and Zara, born in 1981.

The couple announced their separation in 1989, they were both romantically involved with other people. They shared custody of their children and their divorce was finalised in 1992.

Princess Anne met Timothy Laurence when he joined the Queen's equerry in 1989. The couple fell in love immediately, while the Princess was separated but still married.

The couple got married in 1992 when Princess Anne's divorce was finalised.

She became the first member of the Royal family to remarry since Queen Victoria's reign.

In 1974, the Princess was returning from an event with her husband Mark Phillips when a car forced them to stop right on the Mall.

A man called Ian Ball got his pistol and shot the Princess' bodyguard and a nearby journalist. He then told the Princess he was going to kidnap her and demanded she get out of the car, to which she responded ‘Not bloody likely!’

The Princess and her lady-in-waiting eventually exited the car and a boxer passing by neutralised the shooter. All the people shot were hospitalised and made full recoveries.

Princess Anne has carried out more than 20,000 official events since her 18th birthday.

Her endless sense of duty has earned her the title of ‘hardest working royal’.

The Princess remains one of the most beloved members of the Royal Family. Telegraph editor Camilla Tominey even called her a ‘national treasure’.

Princess Anne has always insisted on doing her own hair and make-up. She also drives herself and refuses to rely on drivers. 

Princess Anne has pleaded guilty to two separate speeding fines, claiming she was running late. According to Express, she was ‘banned from driving for one month’

Princess Anne's remarkable style makes her a fashion icon.

British Vogue editor Edward Enninful said: ‘Princess Anne is a true style icon and was all about sustainable fashion before the rest of us really knew what that meant’.