Gatcombe Park is one of the lesser-known residences linked to the Royal Family and is kept largely private as the residence of Princess Anne, much like her personal life.
Though it may not have a royal legacy to rival Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, or even Clarence House, the 730-acre Gloucestershire Estate is brimming with sentiment.
Situated close to King Charles’s beloved country home, Highgrove House, the tranquil estate is tucked away between two villages – Minchinhampton and Avening. For the former Olympic-level equestrian, it’s the perfect spot to dedicate both time and space to her life-long passion.
And according to royal historian and commentator Mok O’Keeffe (@gayaristo), the inside of the Princess Royal’s home is just as unique when it comes to paying tribute to her life – both past and present.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Mok said: “Gatcombe Park is where Anne raised her two children, Zara and Peter, and she now lives with her second husband, Timothy Lawrence. Whilst members of the public are invited to the annual Gatcombe Horse Trials, the residence remains private.”
He continued: “Family is very important to the Princess – she has played many roles as daughter, sibling and mother. And this is evident in how she chooses to decorate her sitting room.
“We have had glimpses of the interiors and the Princess Royal’s interior design taste can tell us a lot about her personality.
“Anne’s home is a country home. It is filled with pastoral paintings, floral scenes, and animal figurines. The house reflects her passions and interests, so my advice would be to create a home that reflects your own passion and interests.
“Many of the flowers are taken from the 730-acre estate and peonies are believed to be a favourite variety. Like many of us, she is also surrounded by photographs including one of her daughter Zara’s wedding to Mike Tindall, her late Mother and also of her brother, King Charles.”
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Of course, Anne’s love of animals is also honoured in her cosy property too. Mok claimed that the 72-year-old shared the same love of canines as her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, but rather than Corgis, she prefers Bull Terriers.
Having owned the famously “no frills” breed for most of her life, the royal has made a sweet nod to them in her private sitting room.
Mok claimed: “At heart, the Princess Royal is a country woman, and this is reflected in her choice of interior design – with paintings of country scenes, horse figurines and a cabinet of bird sculptures.
“The thing that has struck me about Royal Residences is that there is a clear divide between public and private spaces. The public spaces, which are also used by the Royal Family, are often filled with priceless antiques or family heirlooms, but the private spaces are often more low-key and reflective of their personality.”
At Gatcombe Park specifically, Anne’s choice of family pictures, figurines of her beloved dog terriers, and horse memorabilia all contribute to its cosy and down-to-earth feel.
The royal historian added: “Her sofa and matching chair are bright and floral. It could be any house in any part of the English countryside. It shows her to be a country woman at heart with a deep love of family.”
Though it is now a private house, the estate dates back to the Doomsday Book of 1086 and became a Royal Residence in 1814 when King George III purchased the property as a country residence for his daughter Princess Mary.
It was then leased by Princess Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips in the 1970s and has since remained the Princess Royal’s home with her current partner.
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