Princess Anne "would have made an amazing Queen", a former royal staff member has said, as the Princess Royal celebrates her 74th birthday.
Anne is at the centuries-old Balmoral Castle alongside other high-ranking members of the family - several of whom have issued touching public well-wishes on her big day.
And the princess, long-hailed as being among the hardest-working royals, won't be "slowing down anytime soon", according to one of the King's former butlers.
Grant Harrold, who served the then-Prince Charles between 2004 and 2011, said: "She used to do at least double the amount of engagements we see William and Kate doing, and maybe more than the King. This year will be just as busy for her."
The Princess Royal "wants to live her life the way she wants to"
Getty
"Anne is hard-working, but very kind and courteous... She has her father's sharp side," Harrold said
GettyHarrold added: "It's important to Anne to keep going... She finds it hard to step back or take a break.
"She has this hard-working ethic that comes from her late mother and father. She would have been an amazing Queen.
"Anne is hard-working, but very kind and courteous. She has her father's sharp side.
"She always wanted to get things done but was always great fun.
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And in a fresh reveal about the newly 74-year-old princess's personal habits, the King's ex-butler added: "You will see her getting her food at her local Waitrose or having a look around an antiques shop.
"Anne is very hands-on and wants to live her life the way she wants to.
"She does her own thing and doesn't always want anyone doing things for her... She likes to be in control."
Anne had arrived in Scotland for the family's annual trip to Balmoral just days ago, when she stepped out in Edinburgh in her ceremonial role as patron and "Salute Taker" for the city's storied Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Princess Anne and the then-Prince Charles in the grounds of Royal Lodge in 1954
PA
Anne is at Balmoral for her big occasion
PABut it's the castle, commissioned by Prince Albert in the 19th Century, where the Princess Royal will be celebrating this year.
Her brother the King is said to see the trip as a "happy family occasion" - and he was more than happy to issue a public tribute to Anne on social media today.
The Royal Family's official social media account wrote: "Wishing The Princess Royal a very Happy Birthday today!"
And speaking out on the Balmoral trip, one source told the Express: "The King is keen for it to be a happy family occasion which will see members of the Royal Family come together for just over a week to discuss plans for the future and to unwind."
