14 August, 2025

Sean Coughlan Royal Correspondent Welcome to Royal Watch. The summer sunshine here in London has emptied offices and turned conversations to getting away and recharging. For the royals, that means gathering in Scotland where they'll be thinking ahead to big events coming up, like US President Donald Trump's state visit in September. But there are other events to focus on first. Those include personal moments like a birthday for Princess Anne, and important international ones - such as the 80th anniversary of VJ Day tomorrow. Plus, following the release of a highly-critical biography of Prince Andrew, we're asking what you think should happen to his titles. Send your responses to royalwatch@bbc.co.uk.

Royal Mint marks Anne's birthday Princess Anne is celebrating her 75th birthday this week, with a photograph issued showing her with her husband Sir Tim Laurence, taken at Windsor Castle during the French state visit in July. ‌ She's a popular figure with many Royal Watch readers and there's been widespread respect for her no-nonsense approach and her work ethic. Even a head injury last year, thought to be caused by a kick from a horse, hasn't stopped her.

The Princess Royal attended the state banquet held during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit. Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Buckingham Palace/PA Wire Princess Anne has become such a fixture of public life, a stalwart from that older generation of royals. The first time I saw her was as a university student in the 1980s, when she was presiding over a graduation ceremony. Four decades later she's still working hard when many of those young graduates will have begun retiring. Last week, she went on an official visit to Ireland to meet the President Michael D Higgins - although the horse-loving princess also managed to squeeze in a stop at the Dublin Horse Show. Meanwhile, in honour of her 75th year, the Royal Mint has produced its first commemorative coin featuring the princess, which it calls an "Anne-iversary" issue.

Princess Anne personally approved the coin’s imagery. Credit: PA The coin's designer Thomas T. Docherty said he wanted to recognise her public service, with the princess still carrying out hundreds of engagements each year. ‌ Whatever the arguments and scandals around the royals, many people seem to respect how Anne keeps working away.

Irish president welcomes Princess Anne to Dublin

Royal quiz Who, like Princess Anne, also enjoys an August birthday? A. Queen Camilla B. The Duke of Kent C. Princess Beatrice Read further down for the answer.

VJ Day commemorations King Charles has recorded a special message to be broadcast on Friday for the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day, more commonly VJ Day, which marked the surrender of Japanese forces and the end of World War Two. ‌ It shows that this commemoration hasn't been forgotten, after the big events earlier this year surrounding the VE Day 80th anniversary, which recalled the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945. ‌ The King and Queen, along with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will take part in a remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

WW2 veteran Jim Wren showed the duchess old photographs and a commando dagger. Credit: PA Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has also paid her respects, meeting a 105-year-old veteran, Jim Wren. Over a cup of tea in a care home in Salisbury, he told her how his ship had been sunk during the war and that he'd been a prisoner of the Japanese for more than three years. In one of those unrehearsed moments, Wren told the duchess he'd never even wanted to be in the navy. ‌ This VJ Day commemoration will mark the end of the poignant cycle of major 80th wartime anniversaries, with a few veterans still able to share their first-hand memories.

World War Two: We were there

What should happen to Prince Andrew? More than two-thirds of people in Britain are in favour of removing Prince Andrew's titles, according to a YouGov opinion poll. The survey found 67% wanted him to lose his titles, such as Duke of York, with 13% wanting him to keep his titles and 21% saying they didn't know.

The survey gives insights into the public's view on Prince Andrew's future. Credit: Getty The poll follows the publication of Andrew Lownie's book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. Its unflattering view of Prince Andrew won't have helped his already battered reputation. It's now top of Amazon's bestsellers chart.

Prince Andrew book seals his fate for any return

Your Royal watch Last week we asked what you made of the row at the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, Sentebale.  ‌ Writing from Florida in the US, Susan said: "It is always sad to see a charity/non-profit that has been working for so long, that has done so much good, to have personnel problems and start falling apart."  ‌ Thomson in Scotland thinks it is "unfortunate" that Prince Harry stepped away from the charity. "I believe it would have been beneficial for the Prince to remain in his role providing guidance and helping to diversify and provide growth for the organisation which is all he wanted to do in any case." ‌ Meanwhile, Margo in Canada noted that Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was part of the reason he set up Sentebale - "the reasoning was sound, much needed and appreciated," she said. "Yet instead of making it work and aiming for more inclusiveness and compatibility with common ground, every action was dragged out, allowing the press to have a field day which I find incredibly sad." ‌ Marija in Vilnius, Lithuania, said those involved in the charity should have kept "private matters private rather than publicising them". ‌ This week, we'd like to hear whether you think Prince Andrew should lose his titles. Please remember to include your name and what country you're writing from. Send us your thoughts on royalwatch@bbc.co.uk.

A piece of royal history Many students in the UK will soon be making university plans. It's a feeling King Charles may remember. He began studying at Trinity College, Cambridge, in October 1967, becoming the first heir to the throne to get a university degree when he graduated in 1970. ‌ Having a "matriculation photograph" taken was part of the admission process to the college.

Credit: Trinity College/PA Wire Charles spent his first year studying archaeology and anthropology, before switching to history. You can see his name noted in the admissions book here.

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Answer Answer: C. Beatrice celebrated her 37th birthday last Friday, 8 August. The Queen's birthday is in July, and the Duke of Kent's in October.