Royal Family deletes Princess Anne tribute after ‘secret children’ blunder

The British Royal Family faced a wave of online ridicule after hastily removing a tribute to Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, from their official website and social media due to a glaring error suggesting her husband, Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence, had “secret children.” The mistake surfaced in a post meant to celebrate Princess Anne’s 75th birthday on August 15, 2025, prompting swift backlash and memes across platforms like Twitter/X and Instagram. The post, a list of “75 facts” about the princess, falsely claimed she had two stepchildren, Tom and Amy Laurence, from Timothy’s nonexistent prior marriage. Buckingham Palace deleted the post within hours, but screenshots spread rapidly, fueling speculation and humor. The incident raised questions about the royal communications team’s oversight and highlighted the challenges of maintaining a polished image in the digital age.

The erroneous post was intended to honor Princess Anne, one of the monarchy’s most dedicated members, known for her extensive public engagements and no-nonsense demeanor. Shared on The Royal Family’s official Instagram and Twitter/X accounts, the list aimed to spotlight her achievements but instead became a public relations misstep. The mention of fictional stepchildren baffled royal watchers, as Timothy Laurence, married to Anne since 1992, has no recorded children or previous marriages. The swift deletion failed to contain the fallout, with netizens amplifying the error through viral posts and witty commentary.

Princess Anne, often dubbed the hardest-working royal, enjoys a 70% approval rating according to a February 2025 YouGov poll, making the blunder particularly jarring. She marked her milestone birthday quietly, sailing the Western Isles of Scotland with Laurence, far from the online storm. The episode, while embarrassing, has not dented her reputation but has put Buckingham Palace’s digital strategy under scrutiny.

Social media frenzy

The online reaction was swift and unrelenting, with users on Twitter/X and Instagram pouncing on the mistake. The claim about “Tom and Amy Laurence” sparked a mix of amusement and skepticism, with some jokingly suggesting a royal cover-up.

• “Did Buckingham Palace just leak a royal secret or is this a typo?”
• “Tom and Amy who? Did the royals use AI and forget to fact-check?”
• “This is the funniest royal blunder since the Photoshop fiasco!”
• “Princess Anne deserves better than this sloppy tribute.”

Screenshots of the deleted post circulated widely, turning the error into a trending topic. The palace’s decision to remove it without explanation only fueled further speculation, with some users questioning the competence of the royal communications team.

Details of the mistake

The problematic post listed 75 facts about Princess Anne, with item 14 claiming she had two stepchildren, Tom and Amy Laurence, from Timothy Laurence’s supposed previous marriage. This was factually incorrect, as Laurence, a former naval officer, has no children or prior spouses. The error’s origin remains unclear, though some speculate it stemmed from unverified data fed into content creation tools, possibly AI, without proper review.

Buckingham Palace has not issued an official statement, but insiders suggest the communications team was caught off-guard by the oversight. The palace replaced the post with two new images of Anne, photographed by John Swannell, to refocus attention on her birthday. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in the royal family’s digital content strategy, raising questions about their reliance on technology versus human oversight.

Princess Anne’s royal legacy

Princess Anne, often called the monarchy’s unsung hero, has a storied career marked by dedication and resilience. In 2024, she undertook 474 official engagements, outpacing King Charles III’s 372, despite his ongoing cancer treatment. Her work spans over 100 patronages, focusing on education, sports, and humanitarian causes.

• Competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics as the first royal Olympian in equestrian events.
• Hosted a forum with 200 charity representatives in June 2025.
• Honored with a Royal Mint commemorative coin for her service in 2025.
• Stepped in for Charles during his health challenges in 2024.

Anne’s resilience shone through after a 2024 equestrian accident left her with a concussion, yet she resumed duties within weeks. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, followed in her footsteps, earning a silver medal in equestrian events at the 2012 London Olympics.

Royal image under scrutiny

The blunder has reignited debates about the monarchy’s ability to navigate the digital era. With the royal family increasingly reliant on social media to connect with younger audiences, such errors risk undermining their credibility. The rapid spread of screenshots amplified the incident, turning a minor mistake into a global talking point.

The lack of an official apology or clarification has drawn criticism, with some arguing it reflects poorly on Buckingham Palace’s transparency. However, Anne’s personal popularity remains unscathed, as her work ethic and low-key approach continue to resonate with the public. The incident underscores the delicate balance the monarchy must strike between tradition and modern communication demands.

Celebrating Anne’s 75th milestone

Princess Anne’s 75th birthday was marked with understated elegance, in line with her preference for privacy. Her sailing trip in Scotland’s Western Isles was a personal retreat, contrasting with the public fiasco. Earlier in 2025, the palace hosted a forum for her patronages, and the Royal Mint issued a commemorative coin featuring her crest, a rare honor.

• The coin, released in July 2025, celebrates Anne’s contributions to the monarchy.
• The June forum brought together 200 representatives from her supported charities.
• Anne opted for a private birthday, shunning large public events.

Her choice of a low-profile celebration aligns with her reputation as a pragmatic royal, focused on duty over fanfare. The public’s affection for her remains strong, bolstered by her consistent presence during a turbulent period for the royals.

Communication lessons for the palace

The erroneous tribute highlights the need for stricter content vetting within Buckingham Palace. Experts suggest the error may have resulted from overreliance on automated tools without sufficient human oversight. In an era where social media amplifies mistakes, the royal family must refine its digital strategy to maintain trust.

The incident, though minor compared to past royal controversies, serves as a cautionary tale. The monarchy’s enduring appeal relies on its image of precision and tradition, making such slip-ups particularly damaging. As the royal family adapts to a digital-first world, rigorous fact-checking and clear communication will be critical to avoiding future missteps.