Today, Princess Anne is cherished as one of the Royal Family’s most respected members, but her debut official visit to the United States in 1970 was met with sharp criticism from the American press. Accompanying her elder brother, then-Prince Charles, on a semi-official tour to Washington, Anne faced unexpected scrutiny over her reserved demeanor.
During their several days in the US capital, the siblings met President Richard Nixon and toured iconic landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian’s Space Museum. Despite the high-profile itinerary, the US media seized on Princess Anne’s serious expression, labeling her as “sulky” and even dubbing her “Princess Sourpuss.” When a reporter asked for her thoughts on the Washington Monument, Anne famously responded, “I don’t do interviews,” reinforcing the perception that she was unapproachable.
Journalist Victoria Murphy, featured in Channel 5’s documentary Princess Anne: A Quite Remarkable Royal, explained that the American press expected Anne to smile more and appear visibly joyful. “They thought she didn’t look like she was enjoying herself as much as they might have hoped,” Murphy noted. Royal commentator Wesley Kerr adds that Anne’s natural resting expression—often serious rather than cheerful—was widely misunderstood. Kerr says critics saw her as “not a fairytale princess,” misjudging her poised and reserved nature for surliness.
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Further insight comes from Penny Junor, who recounted to Express.co.uk in 2021 how Anne’s reluctance to engage with the media fueled negative headlines. Recalling the White House visit, Junor said, “She looked like she didn’t want to be there… and when she refused to answer questions, she came across as snappy.”
Princess Anne was only 19 at the time, still adjusting to her royal responsibilities. The demanding schedule, which included a ten-day tour of Canada immediately prior, likely contributed to her fatigue and seriousness during the visit. Despite the criticism, the visit included warm moments such as a barbecue at Camp David, attendance at a Washington Senators baseball game, and a grand White House dinner hosted by the Nixons with over 700 guests.
In hindsight, Princess Anne’s demeanor was less a reflection of mood and more the product of youthful reserve, royal decorum, and understandable tiredness. Her early experience reveals how cultural expectations and media portrayals can shape public perception in unexpected ways.