Princess Anne shares the same disdain for birthdays as her late father. ‘Just another day’ is their shared motto. So it’s no surprise that when she gathered her charities together at Buck House last week, she told them she wanted no fuss as her 75th birthday approaches in August. While she may avoid a glittering birthday ball at the palace, she won’t get her way completely. A source reports that son-in-law Mike Tindall has plans for a grand bash in the luxurious party barn he and Zara designed on the Gatcombe Park estate. The Tindalls live in the grounds of teetotal Anne’s countryside retreat, so at least she can slip away before Mike’s infamous party games begin.
The King’s absence from the Derby – he has now missed three during his reign – is being blamed for the record low attendance of 22,312. A Jockey Club mole whispers that a formal dress code, including morning dress and top hats, adds to the occasion, but only if there are royals present to give the event kudos. With the King having struck the Derby from his social calendar, it has lost a lot of its lustre as a place to be seen. By contrast, at Royal Ascot next week there will be upwards of 300,000 attending over five days, with the King, Queen and other royals present throughout.
