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John Swannell / Camera Press
The photos of Anne were taken in February, before the lockon of the coronavirus
Princess Anne has been promoted by the Army and the Royal Air Force to mark her 70th birthday.
The Princess Royal – the Queen’s second child – will take on the role of general and air marshal, bringing her ranks in line with her rank in the Royal Navy.
It is a tradition that senior royals are treated as military members and receive promotions as they get older.
Earlier this year, Prince Andrew had to be promoted, but it was postponed.
Princess Anne turns 70 on Saturday and her birthday is marked with the release of three official photos taken at her home in Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire.
The photos were taken in late February by John Swannell, who has also generously photographed other seniors, such as Tony Blair, Sir Michael Caine and Sir Elton John.
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John Swannell / Camera Press
The photos were taken at her home, which has 730 acres of land and a lake
Speaking earlier this week, Anne’s son-in-law Mike Tindall said plans to mark the day have been “scaled up” due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We had plans – it would have been in Scotland – but apparently with Covid and Aberdeen being a bit locked up, I think everything is a bit back to scale,” said the former England rugby star, who is married to Anne’s daughter Zara , on The One Show.
“It’s a shame. I’m sure we as a family will do to celebrate her 70 great years, she’s just an unbelievable woman in terms of how much work she can get in a year.
“We’re going to do something, yet I do not know if she knows it – so my lips are sealed.”
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John Swannell / Camera Press
In one of the new photos, Anne is wearing a gold ribbon button set with 12 diamonds
Speaking about her military promotion, which has been approved by the Queen, the Ministry of Defense said Anne had been “very supportive” of the army.
“This promotion on its 70th anniversary recognizes its invaluable contribution and commitment to the Army.”
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Anne’s birthday was also marked by a TV documentary, which was in the making for more than a year, and she has also edited an edition of Country Life magazine as a guest.
She commented in the magazine on her love for nature and the need to prevent waste and save energy to protect the environment.
In the ITV documentary, she talks about social media, suggesting that it adds to the pressure facing younger royals.
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Cpl Rob Bourne RAF
Princess Anne has been promoted by the Army and the Royal Air Force to mark her 70th birthday
Profile: Princess Anne
Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born in 1950, the second child of the Queen and Prince Philip and her only daughter. She is 14th in rule to the throne.
She is a horse enthusiast who joined the British equestrian team at the 1976 Olympic Games and was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1971.
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PA Media
Anne was involved in bringing the 2012 Olympic Games to London
In 1973, she married her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, and they had two children, Peter and Zara. Anne decided her children would not have any royal titles.
The couple survived a kidnapping attempt in 1974, when they returned to Buckingham Palace in a driver-driven limousine.
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Anne talks to bodyguard James Beaton after he was injured in an attempt to abduct her in 1974
Her first marriage ended after 19 years of divorce and in 1992 she married her second husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
In 1990, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work as president of the Save The Children charity.
In 2002, Anne became the first senior member of the royal family to be convicted of a criminal offense. She pleaded guilty to a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act after her pet Dotty bit two children in Windsor Great Park.
She lives in the 18th-century country house Gatcombe Park, near Stroud in Gloucestershire, which was a present of the Queen. It has 730 acres of land, large stables and a trout lake.
