1. A “Fact” That Wasn’t a Fact at All

As Britain prepared to celebrate Princess Anne’s milestone 75th birthday on August 15, 2025, Buckingham Palace published a feature titled “75 Facts About the Princess Royal” on its official website. The piece was intended to highlight the dedication, achievements, and unique personality of one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family.

But one “fact” raised eyebrows almost immediately — and for all the wrong reasons. The list claimed that Anne was the stepmother to two children, Tom and Amy Laurence, from her husband Sir Timothy Laurence’s previous marriage. In reality, Sir Timothy has never been married before and has no children from any previous relationships. He married Princess Anne in 1992 — his first and only marriage.

The error was spotted quickly by eagle-eyed royal watchers, some of whom took to social media to question how such a basic detail could have been overlooked. According to The Sun, the Palace admitted that the incorrect line was a “late addition” sourced from what was believed to be a reliable reference — but was not double-checked before publication. Officials also stressed that the page was written and fact-checked by staff, not AI.

2. A Rapid Response and Internet Buzz

Once the mistake was flagged, the Palace quietly removed the entire “75 Facts” article from the Royal Family’s official site. However, by that time, screenshots had already been taken and were circulating online.

On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, reactions ranged from light-hearted teasing — with some joking about a “new rookie team at the Palace” — to genuine concern over how the monarchy manages its public image in the age of instant information.

Royal reporters noted that the removal of the article came within hours of the first complaints. To redirect attention, the Palace’s social media accounts soon shared a heartwarming video montage of Princess Anne’s life and work, complete with childhood photos, clips from public engagements, and archival footage of her equestrian career.

3. Anne’s Enduring Popularity Remains Untouched

If the Palace hoped the video would change the conversation, it worked — at least partially. The blunder was still a topic of amusement, but it did little to dent the Princess Royal’s standing with the public.

According to a recent YouGov poll, Princess Anne ranks as the third most popular royal, behind only Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. She is widely respected for her blunt, no-nonsense communication style, her extraordinary work ethic, and her preference for substance over glamour.

Some key highlights of her career and life include:

Olympic Competitor: Anne was the first British royal to compete in the Olympic Games, representing Great Britain in equestrian eventing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

A Relentless Schedule: She is associated with more than 400 charities and organizations, holds the honorary position of Colonel-in-Chief for over 20 regiments, and is estimated to have undertaken over 560 foreign trips during her royal career.

Resilience in Adversity: In 2024, she was hospitalized after sustaining a concussion and minor injuries in a horse-related accident — but returned to her royal duties within weeks.

4. The Low-Key Birthday Plan

Despite turning 75 — a milestone many royals mark with large public celebrations — Princess Anne made it clear she had no desire for a lavish party.

According to royal sources quoted in Marie Claire, the Princess told aides she “didn’t want to do anything” elaborate for her birthday. Instead, she marked the occasion in her own understated way, hosting a gathering at the Palace for representatives from hundreds of her patronages, and spending private time with family.

Earlier in August, an official birthday portrait was released, showing Anne with a new hairstyle for the first time in decades. She swapped her signature bouffant for an elegant chignon, paired with the Festoon Tiara — a nod to royal tradition. The portrait, taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson during a state banquet in Windsor in July, drew widespread praise for blending heritage with a fresh look.

Following her birthday engagements, Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence reportedly planned a quiet boating trip in Scotland before resuming her typically packed royal schedule.

5. A Rare Misstep in Palace Communications

The “stepchildren” blunder is among the most unusual errors to appear in official royal communications in recent years. Given Princess Anne’s reputation for discipline and precision, the mistake felt especially jarring — as if the Palace itself had failed to meet the standards she has embodied for over half a century.

While no formal apology was issued, the Palace’s swift action to remove the article and replace it with more accurate, celebratory content speaks volumes about how seriously such errors are taken.

As one commentator put it, “It’s a reminder that even the most time-honored institutions are run by humans — and humans make mistakes. The important thing is how quickly you put them right.”

6. Why the Moment Resonated

This small but memorable gaffe comes at a time when the monarchy is under increased scrutiny, both from the media and the public. Every detail — from haircuts to holiday destinations — is dissected, and even minor inaccuracies can snowball into full-blown talking points.

For Princess Anne, though, the moment has arguably only reinforced her image as the “unfussy royal.” She did not address the incident publicly and carried on with her duties, leaving others to talk about the mishap while she focused on the job at hand.

Her work, rather than the Palace’s misstep, remains the defining story: the visits to charities, the support for military regiments, the quiet counsel she provides to other members of the Royal Family.

Conclusion: The Blunder Will Be Forgotten — Her Legacy Will Not

In the end, the so-called “fact list fail” will be remembered as a light-hearted footnote in the life of a princess whose career has been anything but careless. If anything, it has offered a rare glimpse into the fallibility of an institution that often presents itself as flawless.

Princess Anne’s 75th birthday has ultimately been marked not by the Palace’s misprint, but by renewed admiration for her decades of service. Whether sailing in Scotland, visiting a regimental base, or presiding over a charity event, she remains exactly what the public expects her to be — hardworking, grounded, and quietly formidable.

And perhaps that’s why, even when the Palace stumbles, Princess Anne’s reputation stays perfectly upright.