Known for her incredible work ethic, Princess Anne notably completed the highest number of royal engagements in 2024 and once even left a charity boss struggling to “keep up”

Princess Anne is reportedly known as the King’s “most trusted lieutenant” (Image: Getty Images)

A charity boss has admitted that she was once left struggling to “keep up” with Princess Anne on a royal tour. Tanya Curry, the chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity for which the Princess Royal has served as ambassador since 2008, shared the inspiring story ahead of the Princess Royal’s 75th birthday on August 15.

Despite her 75 years, Anne shows no sign of slowing down. Known for her incredible work ethic, she famously completed the highest number of royal engagements in 2024, a staggering 474, even outstripping King Charles’ 372.

Indeed, her efforts have continued into 2025 with seven overseas trips so far, including Ireland, South Africa, Barbados, and Belgium, and it seems that her “stamina” hasn’t gone unnoticed by Tanya.

She recounted one especially noteworthy occasion that left her “trying to keep up” when Anne visited the West Yorkshire rugby team, Leeds Rhinos, with the late player Rob Burrow and his family.

Anne completed the highest number of royal engagements in 2024 (Image: Getty Images)

She told Hello! magazine: “The stamina that she brings, mentally and physically, is amazing. I asked her if she wanted to take the lift or the stairs. She was up the stairs, as a security guard described, like a mountain goat.

“I was trying to keep up with her and have a conversation and not be out of breath, and it was all just in her stride. She walks into a room and lights it up.”

Also known as the Firm’s hardest-working royal, as well as the King’s “most trusted lieutenant”, it’s not just Anne’s work ethic that has landed her praise.

In addition, reports have indicated that those who know the senior royal celebrate Anne for her “wicked wit”, practical approach to issues, and “not always agreeing” with what others say.

Meanwhile, Roya Nikkah, the Royal Editor for The Sunday Times, told the Royals with Roya and Kate podcast last month that Anne takes a “no-frills” approach to her birthdays.

A charity boss has admitted that she was once left struggling to “keep up” with Princess Anne (Image: Getty Images)

In fact, Roya revealed that the Princess Royal has even “cancelled meetings” to avoid discussing birthday plans and even has a certain “policy” when it comes to these occasions.

She explained: “Anne’s policy is: ‘I will do things for my birthdays that have a zero, but I won’t do things for my birthdays that have a five.'”

As for stepping away from her duties in the future, Roya claims that Anne has reportedly told the people closest to her about the age when she hopes to “start winding down” and even when she plans to “step back completely”.

Roya added: “I was told that she’s told her team, ‘I’m going to start winding down a little bit at 80 in five years’ time, and then I want to step back completely at 90.'”

Roya and Kate Mansey, the Royal Editor of The Times, noted that Anne could be adhering to a timescale similar to another member of her family, the late Prince Philip, who stepped away from public life “completely at 96”.