Buckingham Palace Releases 2 New Princess Anne Portraits & I Noticed Something Missing

It’s a major day for the monarchy—specifically, the woman dubbed the hardest working royal: Princess Anne turns 75! To celebrate the occasion, Buckingham Palace dropped not one, but two new royal portraits and, at first glance, they’re giving “classic Anne”. But there’s one detail that’s become signature to the Princess Royal that’s missing from both: a brooch.

After all, name a recent royal occasion where Anne has been present that she hasn’t worn the iconic jewelry piece. In fact, she has quite the collection—ranging from her Prince Albert replica to her gold wreath brooch to a variety of equestrian styles. I always get such a thrill seeing them all.

But actually, the choice to pare down her jewelry (there’s no tiara in sight) in her birthday portraits makes sense. If there’s one core message that has been delivered by the palace leading up to this milestone occasion, it’s that there will be zero. fuss. made. Yes, the Royal Mint dropped a new coin, but other than that, her intention is to spend the day as she always does: Sailing around western Scotland with her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence. And that’s that. (Low-maintenance jewelry feels in-line with that approach.)

Missing brooch aside, each portrait still feels decidedly Anne. Shot at her private residence in Gatcombe Park, the portraits show Anne looking relaxed and at ease. From her arm position (especially in the shot with the red dress) to her stance, they give a down-to-earth glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter who, day in and day out, prioritizes royal duty over all the pomp.