Princess Anne Looked ‘Unmoved,’ Didn’t ‘Reach Out’ To Sick Kids During Hospital Visit

Princess Anne is known for her stern and serious demeanor. And this didn’t change when she visited a children’s hospital.

In the book “The Firm,” royal author Penny Junor said that Princess Anne went on her first overseas tour after marrying her second husband Timothy Laurence. At that time, she was at a children’s hospital in Uzbekistan.

“If the Princess’ expression changed for any of these sights, I didn’t notice it. She seemed unmoved by the sight of the children’s twisted limbs, bright, brave little faces, and liquid brown eyes,” she said.

Junor added that Princess Royal never once reached out to any of the kids at the hospital. She didn’t also smile or make eye contact with them.

“The visit was an academic exercise for her: the children were incidental. What mattered was the question of how you diagnose and treat cerebral palsy and fund research in a country which has so many internet problems,” she said.

The royal biographer couldn’t help but feel shocked upon seeing Princess Anne’s attitude at the children’s hospital. Junor said that she wanted Princess Anne to reach out to the kids so badly, but she never did. This was a shock because Princess Anne is also a mother.

“But she is very clear about her role in life and doesn’t believe being touchy-feely forms a part of it. There are other people who can do the hands-on stuff… Her value, she knows, is to get things done, to persuade governments to give money to hospitals such as the one in Tashkent, to bring in funds to run them or to buy beds and equipment,” Junor said.

Following her trip to Uzbekistan in 1993, royal fans couldn’t help but compare her with Princess Diana. The Princess of Wales was described by Junor as glamorous and photogenic. Prince Charles’ ex-wife also had a special way of dealing with sick children. As such, Princess Diana became known as the People’s Princess.