Filmed over more than a year by Oxford Films [whose ITV documentaries include Our Queen, Our Queen at 90, Diana: Our Mother and Queen of the World], the documentary tells the story of a royal mould-breaker, a Princess who refused to follow the script.

With unseen family footage and conversations with the Princess, her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and many others close to her, the film details the Princess Royal’s lifelong juggling of family and duty. She was the first daughter of a monarch to go to school, the first royal Olympian and the first child of a monarch to insist her children were called ‘Mr’ and ‘Miss’.

School friends recall Princess Anne’s desire to be ‘one of the girls’ before she came of age as the swinging Sixties made way for the turbulent Seventies - and she was feted on the cover of Vogue three times in as many years.

Her Ladies in Waiting admit that they struggle to keep up with her relentless pace while her charities reveal a passionate patron who keeps everyone on their toes.

There are interviews with those who have been with her during the highs and lows of her life, be it sporting triumphs or the (failed) 1974 kidnap attempt – about which the Princess herself speaks frankly.

Viewers will get a glimpse of her famous work rate as she undertakes a rich variety of engagements at home and abroad – from the catwalk to the turret of a tank. But they will also see and hear how she relaxes with her children, her grandchildren and her animals at her Gloucestershire estate while Sir Tim reflects on a shared love of the sea and much else.

Princess Royal: Anne at 70 is commissioned for ITV by Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual and Sue Murphy, Head of Factual Entertainment.

Jo said:

“With exclusive, up close and extensive access to Princess Anne, her family and those closest to her, this fascinating film is a landmark event on a landmark birthday.”

Nicolas Kent, Creative Director for Oxford Films and Executive Producer for Princess Royal: Anne at 70, said:

“It’s been fascinating, especially in such an eventful and significant year, to follow The Princess Royal and hear from her family, friends and colleagues, many of whom are speaking about her for the first time.”

Director: Ian Denyer
Writer/Producer: Robert Hardman
Producer: Faye Hamilton
Executive Producer: Nick Kent