As the Princess Royal nears her 75th Birthday, the hardest working royal is said to need help with one of her 474 engagements

When it comes to Princess Anne, two words tend to dominate the conversation: hard worker. But this isn’t rhetoric simply based on opinion, it’s a proven fact. At 74, nearly a decade past official retirement age, the late Queen’s only daughter continues to outpace every other member of the Firm. Last year alone, she clocked an impressive 474 engagements, surpassing her elder brother, King Charles, who came in at a commendable 372.

Yet beneath the royal graft, whispers are beginning to circulate that even Anne has her limits. And it seems one engagement in particular is testing them: Investitures. These formal ceremonies, where recipients of royal honours are presented with medals, can only be carried out by three senior royals: the King, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal. With King Charles undergoing cancer treatment, the responsibility has naturally fallen more heavily on the remaining two.

However, according to The Sunday Times, an imbalance has emerged and insiders have suggested there is a growing sense of frustration. According to sources close to the princess, the 74-year-old would like to see Prince William ‘do more of the “bread-and-butter” royal engagements.’ For example, despite the fact that many of these Investitures take place at Windsor Castle – minutes from Prince William’s home, Adelaide Cottage – it is Anne who is still doing the lion’s share. One source close to the Princess said: ‘She’s still doing most of the Investitures [at Windsor] even though William lives there. It annoys her.’

This by no means is a suggestion of a rift. On the contrary, Anne is known to be fond of her nephew and is keen to support him as future king and William is said to deeply admire his aunt’s unwavering devotion. But perhaps, the Princess is keen for some assistance as she nears her eight decade.

The Princess Royal will turn 75 in August. Whilst most might opt for complete fan-fare, Anne is said to be avoiding almost all efforts to commemorate the milestone birthday. Despite courtiers’ best efforts to engage her, she has refused all suggestions of new official portraits or media interviews and swerved several meetings with royal aides to discuss options. The one understated memento she has authorised is a silver £5 coin. Issued by the Royal mint, it is simply inscribed, ‘The Princess Royal. Celebrating 75 years. Duty and devotion.

She kicked off her birthday celebrations last month with the huge charity event, during which she spent more than two hours shaking hands with as many of the 200-plus guests as she could, thanking them for their important work. Among the charities invited were nine organisations of which The Princess Royal has become Patron in the last year, including Friends of the Elderly, as well as charities with which the Princess has a longstanding association, such as Save the Children, of which she became President in 1970. Some of the newer patronages that were represented included Royal Star and Garter Homes – a former patronage of the late Elizabeth II – and the Naval Children’s Charity, once a patronage of the Duke of York.

Typically self-effacing, Princess Anne told her guests that she was not there through her own choice. ‘You very kindly asked me to become patron of your organisations, so it’s an honour for me to have all of you here.’ She described the ‘pleasure’ she gets from visiting and supporting her chosen charities, and offered heartfelt thanks to the representatives for their tireless good work.

The responsibility and respect that you give to your own organisations, the people who work for you and your own beneficiaries, is perhaps the key to what makes you so important,’ she said. ‘Respect and responsibility. Thank you very much for doing what you do.’ She also gave a nod to her brother, thanking him for the use of the Palace, adding: ‘I would just like to make the point that we are very fortunate that His Majesty has allowed us to use Buckingham Palace for this event tonight – and I need say that – it does help.’

On slowing down, the King’s sister is likely to follow in the footsteps of her father, Prince Philip, and retire in her tenth decade. A source close to Anne said: ‘She has said her plan is to push on  until she is 80, then start winding down a bit, and then copy the [late] Duke of Edinburgh and wind down completely at 90.’

Often hailed as a chip off the old block, Anne’s attitude to her birthday is a classic example of her character: dedicated, committed, and without need for any fanfare.