Royal fans were left curious when Princess Anne was notably absent for the President and First Lady’s arrival and lunch in the UK on Wednesday. However, the Princess Royal was far from idle—she was busy making an important appearance of her own. Often referred to as the “hardest-working” royal, Princess Anne is known for her dedication to causes that matter deeply to her, the Royal Family, and society at large.
Earlier that day, Princess Anne, in her role as Patron of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, visited Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen to celebrate a historic milestone. The university marked the centenary of the appointment of Margaret Barr Fulton, the first qualified occupational therapist to work in the UK. Princess Anne’s visit was a significant one, underscoring her ongoing commitment to promoting occupational therapy.
While at the university, Princess Anne spoke with academic staff and students at Robert Gordon’s clinical skills centre. She also unveiled a commemorative plaque in honor of Margaret Barr Fulton’s groundbreaking work. In addition to the plaque, a tree was planted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the pioneering occupational therapist’s appointment at what is now known as Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen.
Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, expressed his delight at Princess Anne’s visit, saying, “It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome The Princess Royal and give our students the chance to speak with Her Royal Highness and showcase the important clinical skills they are learning.” He added that the visit gave the students a chance to display their work ahead of making a significant impact on the communities across the North East of Scotland and beyond.
Odeth Richardson, Chair of the Council at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, also expressed her enthusiasm for the day, saying, “Today’s visit was a powerful reflection and showcase of the past, present, and future of occupational therapy.” She also noted the inspiring dedication of both current practitioners and the next generation of occupational therapists, whose work continues to positively shape people’s lives.
Princess Anne returned to London later in the day for the state banquet held in honor of President Trump. Accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne was a picture of grace and elegance. She wore the Pineflower Tiara, believed to be a gift from her grandfather, King George VI, to his wife, Queen Elizabeth, in celebration of their anniversary. The tiara, made by Cartier from aquamarine and diamonds set in platinum, dates back to before WWII and was later passed down to Princess Anne as a wedding present from her grandmother, The Queen Mother.
Anne completed her look with a stunning off-white dress featuring scalloped lacy details, paired with white opera gloves, exuding the kind of royal elegance that has come to define her public appearances. Although she may have been absent from some engagements earlier in the day, Princess Anne’s contributions to both her royal duties and her charitable patronages continue to make a significant impact in the UK and beyond.
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