INSIDE Princess Anne’s county estate has always been a mystery – but Brits have been offered glimpses through the years.
The late Queen’s only daughter was gifted Gatcombe Park as a wedding present by her mother in 1976.
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The former Conservative home secretary, Lord Butler, had reportedly sold it for almost £6million in today’s prices.
Princess Anne now lives there with husband Timothy Laurence, who she married in 1992, but ex-hubby Captain Mark Phillips can still be found on the property.
After the divorce in 1992, Phillips lived in Aston Farm, a seven-bedroom farmhouse beside the estate, with his second wife Sandy Pflueger and their daughter.
Britain’s ‘most hard-working’ royal has decorated the 730-acre estate differently to other family members.
The 72-year-old has added modern additions amongst the historical pieces while most royal residences keep in the with original era the property was built.
Speaking to Countryfile, The Princess Royal previously chatted about her home: “It’s really nice to come back and just be yourself in an area like this.
“Being able to take on a place like this – for me, I’ve got to make it work.
“This is not something that comes free, this has got to pay its way, otherwise I can’t stay here.”
In the living room, Princess Anne can back to relax in front of a flat-screen TV, when she’s not busy with her usual extraordinary amount of royal engagements.
Snapshots into the royal family member’s home also revealed statement furniture in an orange floral print to keep the room bright and cheery.
There is a glass cabinet filled with animal and bird figurines, as well as several tranquil watercolour landscape paintings.
The reportedly five bedroom estate has four secondary rooms, offering plenty of space for hobbies and activities.
If the princess fancied a spot of reading, she could do so in her own private library.
Or should she like some entertainment on a rarely quiet day, the billiards room is an option.
When guests come to visit they could be welcomed into one of four reception rooms and enjoy the views from a lavish conservatory over looking the extensive and immaculately maintained grounds.
The estate has a working organic farm, with various livestock and they’re also involved with breeding horses and cattle.
In 2020 Brits were given a glimpse of the countryside pad during a virtual call opening the NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow, and during a chat with the Queen.
Anne was also seen on ITV documentary Princess Royal: Anne at 70, seated in what looks like a sitting room or personal office, with a desk and lamp in front of her.
Behind her, the Princess Royal had numerous family photos, including a shot of daughter Zara tying the knot with rugby union player Mike Tindall in 2011.
Absent from the shelf was one of son Peter’s wedding to Canadian wife Autumn, as they are now separated.
The pair are set to split after 12 years of marriage, having informed an “upset” Queen during the height of the Prince Andrew scandal.
But Autumn Phillips now has a new partner, Donal Mulryan, and Peter has a new girlfriend, Lindsay Wallace, and they continue to live at Gatcombe.
Located between Minchinhampton and Avening, Gloucestershire, the estate comes at not cost to the taxpayer – it is privately funded.
The manor is also a stone’s throw away from her two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.
The siblings both live in cottages within the grounds of Princess Anne’s home.
Zara lives alongside her husband, Mike Tindall, and their three children Mia, Lena and Lucas in Aston Farm after Zara’s father moved out.
They have carried out extensive renovations and now enjoy a luxurious blend of modern and traditional styles as well as adjoining stables for Zara’s horses.
Princess Anne is often seen helping to teach her grandchildren, to horse ride in their own paddocks.
The working royal also has a London apartment inside of St James’ palace which she uses as her base while in London for engagements.
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