The Royal Mint has revealed the first official UK coin to commemorate the Princess Royal, marking her 75th birthday with a special £5 piece that celebrates her decades of royal service.
The commemorative coin, which the Royal Mint has dubbed its "Anne-iversary coin", features a portrait of Princess Anne wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara and was personally approved by both the Princess Royal and King Charles III.
Available from today, the coin pays tribute to Anne's steadfast dedication with the inscription "The Princess Royal Celebrating 75 Years Duty and Devotion" surrounding her portrait.
The Princess Royal, who will turn 75 on 15 August, is widely regarded as the most industrious member of the Royal Family, having undertaken nearly 400 official engagements last year alone.
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|The Royal Mint has revealed the first official UK coin to commemorate the Princess Royal, marking her 75th birthday with a special £5 piece that celebrates her decades of royal service.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "For the first time in British numismatic history, we are honoured to celebrate the Princess Royal on an official UK coin."
She added: "Her Royal Highness's unwavering commitment to public service, charitable work, and support of His Majesty's armed forces over seven and a half decades makes her truly deserving of this tribute."
The coin's design showcases Anne's portrait based on a photograph by Royal Photographic Society fellow John Swannell, with her characteristic bouffant hairstyle and direct gaze.
To the right of her portrait appears her official coat of arms, whilst the reverse features King Charles III, who gave the final approval for this tribute to his sister.
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|The Princess Royal, who will turn 75 on 15 August, is widely regarded as the most industrious member of the Royal Family, having undertaken nearly 400 official engagements last year alone.
Thomas T Docherty, who designed the coin, said it reflected the princess's "strength of character" and "understated elegance".
He explained: "I wanted to capture Her Royal Highness's remarkable legacy and dedication to public service. The portrait reflects her strength of character and unwavering commitment to duty."
The designer drew inspiration from observing Anne's role within both the royal family and the nation. "She has, I would say, a kind of understated elegance and strength," he noted.
Mr Docherty added: "Being Scottish, I admire the Princess Royal's dedication to Scottish organisations and communities, and I hope this coin serves as a fitting tribute."
The art deco-style Cartier tiara featured in the design was originally a wedding anniversary gift from King George VI to the Queen Mother, who later presented it to Anne as a wedding gift in 1973.
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|Princess Anne has so far indicated that her 75th birthday milestone should be marked only by a charities forum she hosted at Buckingham Palace in June.
The commemorative coin can be purchased from the Royal Mint's website starting today, with the brilliant uncirculated edition priced at £17.50.
Collectors can choose from several premium versions, including a silver proof at £110, a silver proof piedfort for £208, and a gold proof edition costing £4,110.
The Royal Mint is also offering three special sets that include the commemorative coin alongside historic George VI coins from 1950, the year Princess Anne was born.
These sets feature either a single George VI threepence or florin, or multiple coins from that year, with prices ranging from £25 to £4,500.
Princess Anne has so far indicated that her 75th birthday milestone should be marked only by a charities forum she hosted at Buckingham Palace in June.