Honouring a Lifetime of Service: The Premier £5 Coin Showcases Princess Anne for the First Time
The UK has issued a special £5 coin to commemorate Princess Anne's 75th birthday, marking the first time that the Princess Royal has appeared on an official UK coin [1][2][3][4]. The coin, released on July 18, 2025, is a tribute to Princess Anne's legacy and unwavering commitment to the Crown.
### Design
The coin features an elegant photographic portrait of Princess Anne, taken by John Swannell, a renowned royal photographer and Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. The portrait shows her wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara, a tiara with royal family heritage [2][3]. To the right of her portrait is a depiction of her official Coat of Arms. Surrounding the design is the inscription, "The Princess Royal – Celebrating 75 Years – Duty and Devotion," highlighting her life of public service [2][3]. On the coin’s obverse side appears the portrait of the reigning monarch, King Charles III, who gave final approval to the creation in honour of his sister [2][3].
### Historical and Royal Context
The coin celebrates Princess Anne’s 75th birthday on August 15, 2025, and honours her decades of commitment to public service, including support for over 300 charities and military regiments [1][2][3]. Princess Anne is regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family, known for her dedication and modesty. She was the first British royal to compete in the Olympic Games (1976 Montreal Olympics in eventing) and is a celebrated equestrian, having won individual gold at the 1971 European Eventing Championships riding her horse Doublet [1].
### Significance
This release is a significant numismatic first, marking the inaugural official UK coin featuring Princess Anne, personally approved by her for this special tribute [1][4]. The coin is available in various specifications for collectors, making it a landmark release both in royal and numismatic history [1][2][4].
Sources:
[1] The Royal Mint. (2025). 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5 Coin. [online] Available at: https://www.royalmint.com/collections/uk-coins/2025-uk-75th-birthday-of-princess-anne-pound-5-coin
[2] Buckingham Palace. (2025). The Princess Royal's 75th Birthday. [online] Available at: https://www.royal.uk/princess-royal-75th-birthday
[3] Swannell, J. (2025). John Swannell Photography. [online] Available at: https://www.johnswannell.com/
[4] The Royal Mint Museum. (2025). The Evolution of British Coins. [online] Available at: https://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/collections/the-evolution-of-british-coins
The coin celebrating Princess Anne's 75th birthday, which falls on August 15, 2025, encapsulates her dedication to public service highlighted in her support for over 300 charities and military regiments. This special £5 coin, designed meticulously by John Swannell, home-and-garden depiction of her official Coat of Arms, creates a striking numismatic piece reflecting her lifestyle and heritage.
