Why Prince Philip has such a special bond with Princess Anne

Prince Philip, like any father, likely loves all his children equally – but he has always shared a special bond with his only daughter, Princess Anne.

In fact, Philip is even reported to have told everyone “it’s the sweetest girl” after she was born.

However, 9Honey’s royal columnist Victoria Arbiter explains in The Windsors podcast that Philip struggled a little with his first steps into fatherhood.

“He’s not a terribly patient man, he’s a very practical man but he – I think he struggled with Prince Charles in some ways because Prince Charles is so different,” she explained.

Of course, it’s always been said fathers share a special relationship with their daughters, but even as a child it seemed Anne was a mirror of her father, while Charles was far more like Elizabeth.

LISTEN: Prince Philip is the longest-serving royal consort in history, but before he signed up to a life of duty and tradition, he was a Greek prince, and a war hero. (Post continues below)

“As a child he was incredibly sensitive,” Arbiter said of Prince Charles, “whereas Princess Anne was rough and tumble.”

“She was up for anything, so Philip and Anne really have always shared a lovely relationship.”

As she grew that bond only seemed to become stronger, with Philip supporting his daughter as she developed a love of horses that eventually developed into a professional career.

“If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she isn’t interested,” the Duke once joked of her passion for horses, and given the nature of their relationship, we’re sure Anne found it hilarious.

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But there was more to the pair’s closeness than just personality. Anne began formal royal duties when she turned 18 and has been one of the most diligent members of the royal family in the five decades since, even being named the hardest working royal in 2018.

“She’s no-nonsense, she’s very much like her father in that regard and Anne just gets on with it,” Arbiter said of the 69-year-old princess, who turns 70 this week.

It’s that same dedication, in fact, that earned her a very fitting nickname - listen to the latest episode of The Windors podcast to find out what it was.