Royal Mint launches coin commemorating Anne's 75th birthday
The Royal Mint has unveiled a commemorative £5 coin to honour Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, on the occasion of her 75th birthday in 2025 [1][3]. This historic release, personally approved by Princess Anne herself, features a striking portrait of her wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara, with her signature bouffant hairstyle [1][3].
The coin's design was created by Royal Mint artist Thomas T. Docherty, based on an official photographic portrait taken by John Swannell, a distinguished Royal Photographic Society fellow [3][5]. The inscription around the design reads “The Princess Royal – Celebrating 75 Years – Duty and Devotion,” paying tribute to her steadfast dedication to royal duties, charitable work, and support of the UK armed forces over several decades [1][3].
The coin also includes Princess Anne’s official coat of arms alongside her portrait, and the obverse side shows the King, who gave the final approval for the coin to honour his sister [1]. This coin represents a significant numismatic milestone, as it is the first time the Princess Royal has been commemorated on an official British coin [1][3].
Princess Anne, born in 1950, has been one of the hardest working members of the royal family, performing royal duties since age 18, a patron to more than 300 organizations, and holding multiple military honours across the UK’s services [5]. The 75th birthday coin celebrates both her royal role and lifelong commitment to public service, reflecting her reputation for duty and devotion [1][5].
The coin features a portrait of the Princess Royal wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara and her hair in a bouffant style. The tiara, named the Cartier tiara, was a wedding anniversary present from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, and was later given to Princess Anne in 1973. The aquamarine pendant and earrings worn by the princess on the coin were made using stones from the tiara when it was remodeled in the 1990s [2].
The commemorative coin will be available for purchase from the Royal Mint's website on July 18, with the brilliant uncirculated edition costing £17.50. Other versions of the £5 coin are also available, with prices ranging from £110 for the silver proof to £4,110 for the gold proof [4].
Princess Anne, known for her no-fuss approach, has had a remarkable life. She has survived a kidnapping attempt, competed in the Olympics, and spent decades supporting her mother before becoming a vital part of the King's slimmed-down working monarchy. Despite being rushed to intensive care and spending five nights in the hospital after being struck by a horse in 2024, she carried out nearly 400 official engagements that year, the most of any member of the royal family [6].
The Princess Royal turned 75 on August 15, 2023. The commemorative £5 coin serves as a fitting tribute to her lifetime of service and dedication to duty and devotion.
References:
- The Royal Mint
- The Telegraph
- The Guardian
- The Express
- BBC News
- The Independent
The commemorative £5 coin honoring Princess Anne's 75th birthday became available for purchase on the Royal Mint's website, making it possible for fans to collect a piece of their admiration for the celebrated royal's service and dedication to duty. As the first Official British coin to feature Princess Anne, this coin serves as a symbol of appreciation for the renowned celebrities' lifetime of public service and tireless commitment to duty and devotion.
