Contemporary portrait artist Louise Pragnell has shared memorable moments from her encounters with Princess Anne and other members of the British royal family—moments that highlight the Princess Royal’s genuine character beyond formalities.
Louise first met Princess Anne in 2010 during a sitting for a large group portrait titled Officers of the Household Cavalry. Reflecting on that day, Louise admits she made a major faux pas. “She was the first royal I met and I got my curtsey all wrong. It was so embarrassing,” she told Hello! Magazine.
Despite this, Princess Anne quickly put her at ease by abandoning strict protocol. “She walked in and waved and said, ‘Hello’,” Louise recounted. “She’s a seriously impressive person.” Demonstrating her remarkable endurance and kindness, Princess Anne stood in heavy robes for two hours. When Louise offered her a break, the Princess replied, “No, do you need a break, Louise?”
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Since then, Princess Anne has sat for Louise on two additional occasions. Most notably in 2025, Louise completed a 2.5-metre portrait of the Princess Royal, commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers. The striking work captures 75-year-old Anne dressed in formal Intelligence Corps Mess Dress, with every color carefully chosen for its historical significance.
Louise also recalled a nerve-wracking moment involving the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2023. Just before their arrival to view her portrait of the Irish Guards, the easel holding the artwork began to lean dangerously. “We had people lying on the floor with screwdrivers [to fix it with minutes to spare],” she said, underscoring the pressure that comes with royal engagements.
Looking back, Louise noted that the royal family members excel at making people feel comfortable. “They want to feel that I’m going to get what I need,” she said.
Princess Anne’s kindness and composed demeanor have also been praised by figures such as Dame Joanna Lumley. When receiving her damehood at Buckingham Palace in 2022, Lumley was moved to tears. She recalled, “There was the Princess Royal smiling so sweetly and giving such a grin… and she whispered, ‘Never mind, never mind.’” Such moments reveal the Princess Royal’s true colours as a compassionate and gracious individual, far beyond the formalities of royal life.