Princess Anne was a 'normal teenager' growing up, this is the most rebellious thing she did

For Princess Anne's 70th birthday in 2020, ITV aired a documentary, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70. According to Hello!, interviewees for the documentary included the Princess's two children, Zara Tindall and Mark Philips, and her current husband, Sir Timothy Laurence. But the mostsurprising of revelations came from Anne's former school friend, the Honourable Sandra de Laszlo.

Paving the way from a young age

Princess Anne decided that, aged 12, she wanted to attend school outside the Palace. Until then, the Princess had been home-schooled by her governess, as it was custom for daughters of monarchs.

Princess Anne said:

I did volunteer to go to school. I have to say. And I was thrilled. School was much more interesting.

In 1963, Princess Anne enrolled at the all-girls school Benenden School in Kent, becoming the first daughter of a monarch to do so. She boarded there with 300 other girls. The Princess recalls how much she enjoyed school and being able to mingle with other people.

At the request of the late Queen, Princess Anne was treated the same as her classmates, per Hello! magazine. De Laszlo remembers that the pupils were instructed to remain 'as natural as possible' around Princess Anne because 'the Princess might be quite shy'.

A mischievous streak

However, De Laszlo recalls how Princess Anne just 'rocked up' to her group of friends and fitted right in. During her interview, Anne's former school friend describes her as 'sensible and fun', stating that the Princess was free of Royal pretensions.

She added:

She was a very normal teenager.

So typical, in fact, that the Princess wasn't afraid to slip her security officer to get what she wanted. De Laszlo claims that she and the Princess Royal used to 'break out of school', leading the security officer on 'a bit of a dance' to get fish and chips from the local chippy.

De Laszlo recalled fondly:

It was rather fun to break out of school and go to the fish and chip shop. And trying to escape this loyal detective who was supposed to be looking after her.

Sources used:

- My London: 'Royal Family: Princess Anne used to 'sneak out' of her school with friends to eat this classic British food'

- Hello!: 'Princess Anne's classmate reveals her rebellious streak at school'

- Hello!: 'Exciting news for Princess Anne revealed ahead of her 70th birthday'

- Express: 'Princess Anne confession: Young royal would 'break out school for fun''

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