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Princess Anne has long been hailed as one of the hardest working members of the British royal family. At 74 years of age, she continues to represent King Charles III at important events and engagements both at home in the UK and abroad. Most recently, Anne commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem in Amsterdam, laying a wreath at the Oosterbeek War Cemetery in tribute to fallen soldiers. She also delivered a heartfelt speech on behalf of her brother, the King.
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Fans on social media expressed admiration for Anne's dedication and commitment to fulfilling her royal responsibilities despite her advanced age. Many remarked that no one is more deserving to represent the King given her exemplary record of service over many decades. One commenter noted that Princess Anne puts in more hours and effort than any other senior royal. It's clear from her continued service that she takes her duties extremely seriously and aims to honor the traditions and history associated with important anniversaries and events.
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While Anne's busy schedule and representation of the King have garnered much praise, she also possesses a rather unusual personal passion that has endured since childhood - her fascination with lighthouses. At the young age of five, Princess Anne became captivated by these towering coastal structures and has remained devoted to learning about their architectural and engineering marvels for nearly 70 years.
As a patron of the Northern Lighthouse Board, Anne has visited lighthouses across Scotland and the Isle of Man to better appreciate their historical significance and the natural beauty of their remote locations. But her involvement extends far beyond tours - in 2015, she penned the foreword to a book celebrating Scottish and Manx lighthouses. Anne spoke of the immense sense of awe inspired by these structures and her admiration for the ingenious construction undertaken in difficult conditions.
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Princess Anne's fascination evolved into a lifelong hobby, known as "pharology." Despite her busy schedule of public duties, she has made it a personal goal to visit all 208 lighthouses in Scotland. At present, she has reportedly completed around half of this ambitious cross-country quest. For Anne, lighthouses represent far more than simple navigation aids - they symbolize humanity's tenacity, courage, and altruism in the face of nature's challenges.
Interestingly, Anne and her brother Prince Andrew are the only two senior royals with unusual, long-term personal hobbies. While Andrew in recent years took up plane spotting, Anne's passion for lighthouses began in childhood and has remained a constant source of intellectual curiosity and joy. Other royals like the late Prince Philip enjoyed more conventional hobbies like barbecue cooking, while the Princess of Wales is an avid tennis fan.
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Anne's distinctive hobby was even featured in an episode of The Crown, depicting her taking Queen Elizabeth to visit a lighthouse. The scene showcased Anne's genuine fascination for these maritime structures. In interviews over the years, she has praised the visionary engineers and brave lighthouse keepers who constructed and maintained these remote beacons. Anne clearly views lighthouses not just as buildings but as symbols of humanity's harmonious relationship with the natural world.
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Through her hobby, we gain a rare glimpse into Princess Anne's personal interests outside of her public duties. While many people adhere to more typical pastimes, Anne's lifelong dedication to exploring lighthouses reflects her intellect, respect for maritime history, and adventure spirit. As she continues progressing along Scotland's rugged coastlines to cross off locations on her ambitious checklist, it's clear this unusual passion born in childhood remains as strong as ever. Even amongst royalty, few can claim to have a hobby with such enduring importance and meaning across nearly seven decades of life. Princess Anne's pharological journey stands as a testament to the power of fascinations to last a lifetime when rooted in deep personal values and curiosity about our world.
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