Princess Anne talks about the toll Prince Philip took before his death
Princess Anne has spoken out about the toll her father, Prince Philip, had to pay for his death, saying lost conversations would have kept him ‘interested’.
The Princess Royal revealed her thoughts on the impact of the pandemic on her family and others during an interview with Canada’s public broadcaster CBC, released just five days before the king’s coronation.
She said lockdowns deprived her father and other older people of social interaction and stimulation, saying the “move to online” didn’t work for everyone.
“Covid stole from my dad, who lost a lot of the people who would have gone to see him and come talk to him and have those conversations that would have kept him interested. He lost all that,” she said.
“I’m sure there are many families who will tell you the same thing. For the older generation, losing those contacts – online didn’t do that for everyone’.
Princess Anne said the lockdowns deprived her father and other elderly people of social interaction and stimulation
Anne described the sadness at the photo of her mother alone at her husband’s funeral in 2021
The Princess Royal also spoke with sadness about the defining image of her mother alone in grief at Prince Philip’s funeral amid pandemic social distancing rules.
When asked if this was a ‘theft’ she said, ‘Yes, you are absolutely right.
“In some ways I’m glad we didn’t see that at the time. When you see the picture, it’s somehow much worse.”
She also looked deeply moved as she described following her mother’s coffin on her journey from Balmoral in Scotland to Buckingham Palace following her death last September.
Speaking of the days they traveled across the country during the mourning period, she said, “I think we shot a lot of it, partly because we knew the route and I saw people I knew along the way.
“It was such an impressive sight and it was more than that because it was really moving in the way people reacted and how they did things.
“People brought out their ponies and horses, but they didn’t just bring them out, they braided them, they were well dressed and well made up.
“They brought their tractors out and they parked them neatly, they were all clean.
“Coming from a rural background I was really impressed, it was just an amazing sight.
“But the huge number of people who turned up in very special places. You will never miss that and the atmosphere it created.
“Leaving Balmoral was never easy, but it never has been. I was just as bad when I left as a kid, because I didn’t like to leave, [I was happy there].’
Princess Anne today insisted the monarchy is in safe hands with King Charles after sitting down for a rare interview ahead of her brother’s coronation
Princess Anne and her father Prince Philip in the picture together
King Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, after Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey
Anne’s CBC News interview is one of the most comprehensive conducted by royals in recent times, other than Harry and Meghan.
When asked if she is worried about the future of the British royal family afterwards, she answered emphatically: ‘No’.
She defended the monarchy’s role in modern times, especially with a new king, adding: “There will be [conversations about relevance] everywhere. It’s not a conversation I would necessarily have.
“It’s perfectly true that there’s a point where you have to have that discussion, but I just want to underline that the monarchy, with the constitution, offers a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite difficult to obtain in a other way. ‘
“I would rather hope that sometimes what we can do is underline the goodness and the fact that there are an awful lot of people who really understand the importance of the way they behave towards each other, and that the monarchy offers an element of a focus on that level of service and encourage that in the long run.
“It’s not a short-term thing. You’re in it for the long haul.’
CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault brought up the idea of a pared-down monarchy, saying it’s hard to imagine how the 72-year-old princess would have time to take on more work.
Anne replied, “Well, I think the ‘slimed’ (monarchy) was said on a day when there were still a few people around to make that a fair point.”
When she was told that the world is changing, Anne said, ‘It’s changing a bit. I mean, it doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I have to say. I’m not quite sure what else we can do.’
King Charles III and Princess Anne, Princess Royal, at church in Windsor for Easter. She says the monarchy is safe in her brother’s hands
The Royal Family has gone through many changes in recent years, with the deaths of both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the decision of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to retire as working royals, and the retirement of the Duke of York. public life.
Speaking of what kind of king her brother will be, Anne said, “Well you know what you’re getting because he’s been practicing for a while and I don’t think he’s going to change.
“He is committed to his own level of service. It stays that way.’
It was put to the princess that she seems unconcerned about the health or longevity of the monarchy, and she replied, “I think you are putting words in my mouth, as they say.”
She said she believes there is “real benefit to this particular arrangement, the constitutional monarchy, and I think it has good long-term benefits,” adding: “And that commitment to the long-term is what the monarchy is all about.” ‘
Anne also claimed the British public would know what to expect from the king as he prepares to formalize his position in a highly anticipated ceremony on Saturday.
She added: “He is committed to his own level of service and will continue to be so.”