Princess Anne’s lifestyle at Gatcombe offers a striking contrast to her well-known public role filled with royal duties. At 76 years old, she is frequently recognised as the “hardest working royal” due to her extensive official engagements over many years.
Away from the public eye, however, those close to her and a notable local resident reveal that the Princess Royal leads a notably more relaxed and down-to-earth life on her sprawling 500-acre Gloucestershire estate.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, a prominent local resident, shared details of his encounters with the Princess Royal during a recent interview about his own life in the Cotswolds. He noted that Princess Anne often opts for more traditional travel methods and has been spotted repeatedly at nearby Kemble railway station.
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Laurence, a resident of Siddington, described their brief interactions: “I’ve met her on the train quite often, and we have a sort of nodding acquaintance. She travels with a small group of impressive but unpretentious military personnel. No one pays much attention; we’re just used to her being about.”
He added, “Prince Charles, now King Charles, used to use the Kemble station frequently as well.” Princess Anne lives at Gatcombe Park, accompanied by her children, Zara and Peter, who reside in neighbouring properties with their families.
“I see her children quite regularly,” Laurence continued. “Peter is someone we know quite well. One of the nice things about this part of the Cotswolds is how everyone gets along in a very informal way.”
He contrasted the atmosphere with other affluent areas: “It’s not about celebrity status here. Unlike parts of Oxfordshire where you might encounter high-profile personalities like Beyoncé or Ellen DeGeneres, our community is much more down-to-earth. We’re just parents at the school gate or neighbours, none of us behaving like celebrities.”
The former “Changing Rooms” presenter also praised the “very good train service” linking Kemble to London Paddington, explaining that many locals prefer taking the train.
“Sometimes, the train to Paddington can seem more star-studded than the espresso bar at The Ivy,” he joked.
Royal author Robert Hardman described Gatcombe as Princess Anne’s “happy place,” highlighting her nature as “fundamentally a country person.” He added, “She is a devoted grandmother, very hands-on, although grandchildren always seem to get away with a bit more. She dotes on them.”
Ailsa Anderson, former communications secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, shared insights with Hello! Magazine about the Princess’s personal life at Gatcombe. “Gatcombe is her bolthole, where she is simply Anne rather than the Princess Royal,” she said. “It’s less formal, with Zara and Mike still living on the estate, and Peter and Harriet nearby.”
She described Princess Anne as “a pragmatist and a divorcee herself,” saying, “Like any parent, she just wants to see her children happy. She adores them, and it’s heartwarming to see her at horse trials with her grandchildren, relaxed and in jeans, teaching them and enjoying the moment.”