The Queen gifted Princess Anne a £2.2m diamond necklace for 18th birthday – after ‘forgetting’ Edward’s big day

PRINCESS Anne is celebrating her 74th birthday today and royal expert Jennie Bond claims “family time” will be key to her plans.

While the Princess Royal is said to be “moderate in all that she does”, one birthday she did receive an extremely extravagant gift from her mum, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

On her 18th birthday Princess Anne was given the exquisite Festoon Necklace.

The antique diamond jewellery piece is adorned with ribbons, bows, and pendant drops and worth an estimated £2.2million according to a jewellery expert James Constantinou.

James, owner of Prestige Pawnbrokers and star of Channel 4 Posh Pawn, told Fabulous: “Containing several drapes of stones, chains and usually a design motif that includes a garland, a string of flowers, leaves, or ribbons, festoon necklaces were popular from the Georgian period to the Edwardian.

“Not only is the value in the diamonds which are hefty enough but given in the history of a piece like this it would likely be worth millions alone.

“With the right marketing and global reach of the major auction houses the piece could get north of £2.2million.”

While Anne was bestowed with the pricey necklace for her birthday, her younger brother Prince Edward was sadly forgotten one year, according to reports.

Royal expert Ingrid Seward once said: "At Buckingham Palace he was lonely, one year on his birthday he went to have breakfast with the Queen and nothing was said.

“No card, no present. She didn't know it was his birthday."

TIARA TO MATCH

The impressive necklace wasn’t the only grand gift Princess Anne received.

The late Queen’s only daughter was also given matching pendant earrings so she could wear the pair as a set.

In the years that followed, Princess Anne would finish off the jewellery look with Princess Andrew’s Meander Tiara and the Halo Scroll Tiara.

However, the glittery set became truly complete when she was given the Festoon Tiara in 1973 from the World Wide Shipping Group as she christened one of their ships.

Last year, Tatler hailed Princess Anne as an “understated glamazon” as she dazzled in the set at a State Banquet for the Republic of Korea.

The royal princess wore the accessories with a Maureen Baker evening dress as she arrived with dignitaries.

ANNE’S INJURY

The Princess Royal recently spent five days in hospital after suffering a concussion in a horse accident on the Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.

Anne had suffered "minor injuries and concussion" following an "impact with a horse's head or legs" on June 23.

The royal is thought to have been walking around the estate with horses in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

She was admitted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, Buckingham Palace said, where she stayed for five days.

During her time in hospital, the princess was forced to cancel her upcoming engagements - including a trip to Canada and an appearance at the State Banquet.

But last month she appeared in high spirits as she made a surprise appearance at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships.

Prince and Princess of Wales sent a message to Anne, posted on their social media profiles, saying: "Super trooper! So great to see you back so soon! W & C x."

BIRTHDAY PLANS

While it is thought Princess Anne will be celebrating her birthday behind closed doors, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond shared how she may spend the day.

Speaking to Fabulous, she said: “She is a very outdoorsy sort of person, as you know.

“She's also a woman with an extraordinary work ethic, and I don't know what she'll do on her birthday, but I will guarantee that if there is some kind of royal engagement where she's needed, she'll put that first.

With the right marketing and global reach of the major auction houses the piece could get north of £2.2million

“However, she'll be with her family. I hope Zara might make a bit of a fuss of her mum because Anne's been through a bit of a difficult time with that horrific accident, where it seems she was kicked by a horse.

“Yeah, she's very moderate in all that she does, but maybe a small glass of something nice. “And if she's up in Scotland, then one of the famous barbecues out on the moors or something.

“But hopefully, a family time for her.”

‘GROUNDED’ Anne

Princess Anne is a key member of the King's slimmed-down working monarchy.

The devoted royal played an important role as she stepped up to support King Charles after he took a step back from royal duties following his cancer diagnosis.

The princess, often dubbed the hardest-working royal, is known for her no-nonsense approach and commitment to royal duty.

In fact, in 2023 she carried out more than 450, which was more than any other royal.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Telegraph: “Anne is one of the best advertisements for the Royal family because she is hardworking, she is dedicated and she is popular because people look at the way she handles things and they like it.

“The public see Anne as someone who is grounded, I think the institution does need her very much.”

In 2022, Princess Anne took over from Prince Harry as Captain General of the Marines.

The post became available after Harry and wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals.

One of her first duties in this role was a trip to Papua New Guinea and Australia for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.