The sign Princess Anne and Princess Charlotte are super alike - and we're not talking about their appearance

Princess Anne and Princess Charlotte are alike in a pretty funny way as evidenced by two incidents that show that attitude may be genetic

Princess Anne, Princess Royal attends the 2023 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 13, 2023 in London, England. The Commonwealth represents a global network of 56 countries, having been joined by Gabon and Togo in 2022, with a combined population of 2.5 billion people, of which over 60 percent are under 30 years old. AND Princess Charlotte of Cambridge attends the Platinum Pageant on The Mall on June 5, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images AND Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Princess Anne and Princess Charlotte are alike in terms of their sometimes sassy personalities as evidenced by two public incidents, which occurred decades apart. If this indication of their shared attitudes is anything to go by - the future is bright for Princess Charlotte, who's likely to become as popular as her great aunt.


Princess Anne

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Even if you're not regarded as the hardest working royal, being a Princess doesn't appear to be quite as much fun and games as fairy tales may make it seem. Just ask two of the main females in the Royal Family and you'll see precisely why Princess Anne and Princess Charlotte are alike.

It seems as though both share a disdain for having their photograph taken or, at the very least, aren't fans of the press photographers that attend nearly all of their important family events.

Who could forget Princess Anne's 'naff off' incident when the royal, usually known for her stiff upper lip persona, had a few choice words for those eager to catch a snap.

HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, riding Stevie B falls at the water jump during the cross country equestrian event at the Badminton Horse Trials on 1st May 1982 in Badminton Park, Gloucestershire, England. It was this fall that led to the often quoted 'naff off' comment made by Her Royal Highness to photographers.

(Image credit: Bob Martin/Getty Images)

On the day in question in 1982, the most popular royal and former Olympian fell off her horse at the water jump during the cross-country equestrian event at the Badminton Horse Trials. The unfortunate incident was caught on camera, but it was the royal's less-than-savory language that's remembered over the fall.

It was reported that she told the press to 'naff off' but in actual fact, per the Daily Express, photographer Ashley Walton revealed a slightly different version of events that may actually be more shocking. 

“The truth is, we made up the ‘naff’ word to cover up another word," he revealed. “I think that might have been in the conversation, but there were a lot of other ‘f off’ words at the time.”

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge leaves after Prince Louis of Cambridge's christening at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London on July 09, 2018 in London, England.

(Image credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Before you clutch your pearls and fall off your seat, worry thee not - young Princess Charlotte did not drop an 'f' word at photographers. She did, however, let it be known that she didn't want them in her business.

Back in July 2018, on the day of her younger brother Prince Louis' christening, then three-year-old Princess Charlotte had no problem sharing her feelings on those pointing flashbulbs and cameras in her direction.

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While departing the Chapel Royal of St. James's Palace, following the ceremony, the young Princess was holding her dad Prince William's hand when she stared at one photographer in particular and let them know they were not welcome. The Princess said firmly, "he's not coming," in an unforgettable moment that her dad couldn't help but chuckle at.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.