Princess Anne’s ‘strict’ two-word rule for Zara Tindall and brother Peter on Royal balcony
Princess Anne enforced a firm balcony rule for her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips during Royal celebrations. The late Queen’s daughter demanded exemplary conduct from her offspring while they stood on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the monarch’s birthday.
Peter disclosed his mother’s role as the ‘balcony enforcer’ at occasions honouring the late Queen’s official birthday, recalling her stern approach in an ITV documentary for the Princess Royal’s 70th birthday: “You then get a clip round the ear and say right, ‘behave yourself, you know, we’re going out on the balcony,'” he reminisced. “Don’t pick your nose and you know, don’t yawn.”
Zara Tindall reflects on these strict rules with fondness; she believes that these structured balcony appearances strengthened her bond with cousins Prince William and Prince Harry.
Historical footage of the Buckingham Palace balcony supports the notion of Princess Anne as the disciplinarian figure; notably, in 1987, she was seen attempting to calm a restless four year old Prince William during a Royal Air Force flyover.
Acknowledged as one of the most diligent royals in carrying out official duties, Princess Anne also reportedly took time to tutor Princess Charlotte, sharing wisdom on an issue even Princess Kate once found challenging.
