Princess Anne attended the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday alongside her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence. The 75-year-old royal opted for a non-alcoholic beverage during the event, where the horse Kalpana secured a victory.
A glass tumbler instead of champagne at Ascot
During the prestigious race meeting, Princess Anne was observed sipping a refreshing drink from a glass tumbler, pointedly avoiding the champagne typically associated with such high-society gatherings . as reported by the source, the Princess Royal arrived at the event immediately following a five-day diplomatic tour of Asia, dressed in a teal jacquard dress and a cream-coloured hat.
The choice of a non-alcoholic drink is a consistent personal principle for Princess Anne, regardless of the social pressure of the venue. Her presence at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes—a race named after her late grandparents—highlighted her dual commitment to royal duty and her personal passion for horseracing , particularly as she watched Kalpana defeat the bookies' favourite, Calandagan.
The gin and Dubonnet traditions of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Anne's abstinence from alcohol stands in stark contrast to the well-documented habits of her predecessors and current relatives. According to the report, the late Queen Elizabeth II was known for enjoying a daily gin and Dubonnet cocktail before lunch and a glass of champagne in the evening.
This pattern of consumption extended to the Queen Mother, who reportedly enjoyed a gin martini around 6 p.m. and occasionally consumed up to six drinks a day, including vintage pink champagne. Even the current monarch , King Charles III, maintains a preference for a "50:50" gin and dry vermouth martini before dinner, while Prince William has been seen consuming whisky, cider, and beer. This familial trend positions Princess Anne as a distinct outlier within the House of Windsor.
Captain Sir Nicholas Wright's insight into a teetotal lifestyle
The disciplined nature of the Princess Royal's lifestyle is not merely a recent choice but a long-standing trait.. Captain Sir Nicholas Wright RN, a former private secretary to the royal, previously stated in an ITV documentary that he was "very jealous" because the princess does not drink at all.
To sustain the energy required for her demanding schedule and numerous patronages, Princess Anne reportedly favors caffeinated options such as Earl Grey tea.. This commitment to sobriety and a vigorous fitness regime contributes to her public reputation as the "hardest-workinng" member of the royal family, prioritizing alertness and responsibility over social convention.
What exactly was in the Princess Royal's glass?
Despite the detailed observations of her habits, certain specifics regarding the Ascot event remain unverified. The source describes the beverage as a "refreshing drink," but does not specify whether it was a sparkling water, a juice, or one of her preferred caffeinated drinks. Furthermore, while the report highlights the contrast between her and other royals, it does not provide commentary from other attendees on whether this teetotal approach is viewed as an eccentricity or a model for modern royal conduct.
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