Was princess anne in the military?

Was Princess Anne in the Military?

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has had a long and storied career in the British Armed Forces. As a member of the royal family, she has always had a strong connection to the military, and has actively served in various capacities over the years.

Background

Princess Anne was born on August 15, 1950, to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. As a member of the royal family, she was automatically entitled to a military career, but she chose to take an active role in the services.

Early Military Service

Princess Anne began her military service in the 1970s, when she joined the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) in 1970. She trained at the Army’s initial officer training course at Camberley, and later served as a driver for the Queen’s Guard.

Royal Naval Service

In 1973, Princess Anne transferred to the Royal Navy, where she served as a Junior Lieutenant on the Royal Yacht Britannia. She later became a full Lieutenant, and served on several Navy ships, including the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.

Army Service

Princess Anne also served in the British Army, where she held the rank of Major. She served in the Royal Logistic Corps, and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 to support the military’s administrative efforts.

Aides-de-Camp

Throughout her military career, Princess Anne has served as an Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, carrying out ceremonial and official duties on behalf of Her Majesty.

Decorations and Honors

Princess Anne has been awarded numerous decorations and honors for her military service, including:

• Colonel-in-Chief: Princess Anne has been appointed Colonel-in-Chief of several regiments, including the Army Air Corps, the Royal Corps of Signals, and the Royal Logistic Corps.
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): Princess Anne was awarded the OBE in 1974 for her service in the Royal Navy.
• Companion of the Order of the Royal Red Cross (CR): Princess Anne was awarded the CR in 1980 for her service as Aide-de-Camp to the Queen.

Tours and Deployments

Princess Anne has served on several military tours and deployments, including:

Philanthropy and Support

Throughout her military career, Princess Anne has been involved in numerous charitable and philanthropic efforts, including supporting the welfare of military personnel and their families.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Princess Anne has had a long and distinguished career in the British Armed Forces. As a member of the royal family, she has served with honor and distinction, and has been recognized with numerous decorations and honors for her service. Her commitment to the military and her support of military personnel and their families are a testament to her dedication and patriotism.