Princess Anne opens up about the road toll Prince Philip had before he died

Princess Anne has spoken out about the road toll her father Prince Philip had before his death and said lost conversations kept him “interested”.

The Princess Royal revealed her thoughts on how the pandemic has affected her family and others during an interview with Canadian public broadcaster CBC, released just five days before the king’s coronation.

She said lockdowns have robbed her father and other elderly of social interaction and stimulation, saying the “move to online” hasn’t worked for everyone.

“Covid stole my father who lost a lot of the people who would have gone to him and come to talk to him and have these conversations that would have interested him. He lost it all,’ she said.

“I’m sure there are many families who will tell you the same thing. For the older generation, losing those contacts online hasn’t been beneficial for everyone.”

The Princess Royal also spoke with sadness at the defining image of her mother, who was alone in mourning at Prince Philip’s funeral, amid pandemic social-distancing rules.

When asked if this was a “theft,” she said: “Yes, you are absolutely right.

“In a way, I’m glad we didn’t see that in that moment. If you see the photo, it’s somehow much worse.

She also looked deeply moved as she described following her mother’s coffin on its journey from Balmoral in Scotland to Buckingham Palace after her death last September.

Speaking about the days she traveled around the country during the period of mourning, she said: “I think we took a lot of that with us, partly because we knew the route and I actually saw people I knew along the way.

“It was such an impressive sight and it was more than that because it was really touching how people reacted and how they did things.

“People brought out their ponies and horses, but they didn’t just bring them out, they braided them, they were appropriately dressed and well dressed.

“They brought out their tractors and parked them neatly, they were all clean.

“Coming from a rural background I was really impressed, it was just an amazing sight.

“But the sheer numbers of people who have turned up in some very extraordinary places. You will never miss this and the atmosphere it created.

“Leaving Balmoral was never easy, but it has never been either. I was just as bad when I left as a kid ’cause I didn’t like to leave [I was happy there].’

Alongside Harry and Meghan, Anne’s interview with CBC News is one of the most extensive royals have had in recent times.

When asked if she was worried about the future of the British royal family, she finally answered with a resounding “no”.

She defended the role of the monarchy in modern times, especially with a new king, adding: “There will be [conversations about relevance] overall. It’s not a conversation I would necessarily have.

“It is absolutely true that there comes a moment when you need to have this discussion, but I just want to stress that the monarchy with the constitution offers a level of long-term stability that is actually difficult to achieve any other way. ‘

“I rather hope that at times we can just underscore the kindness and the fact that there are a great many people out there who really understand how they relate to one another, which is important and that the monarchy is an element that comes up on that level of service to concentrate and to promote this in the long term.

“It’s not a short-term thing. You are there for the long term.”

CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault brought up the idea of ​​a slimmed-down monarchy, saying it was hard to imagine how the 72-year-old princess would have the time to take on more work.

Anne replied, “Well, I think the ‘slim’ (monarchy) was said at a time when there were a few more people to make that seem like a valid remark.”

When told the world was changing, Anne said, “It’s changing a bit. I mean, from my perspective, that doesn’t sound like a good idea, I have to say. I’m not quite sure what else we can do.”

The royal family has gone through many changes in recent years, with the deaths of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to retire as working royals and the Duke of York’s resignation from public life.

Discussing what kind of king her brother will be, Anne said: “Well you know what you’re getting because he’s practiced a bit and I don’t think he’s going to change.

“He’s committed to his own level of service. It will stay that way.”

The princess was told that she did not appear to be concerned about the health or longevity of the monarchy, and she replied, “I think you put words in my mouth as they say.”

She said she believes that “this particular arrangement, the constitutional monarchy, has real utility and I think it has good long-term benefits,” adding, “And that commitment to the long-term is what the monarchy is for.” stands.”

Anne also claimed the British public would know what to expect from the king as he prepares to formalize his position in a much-anticipated ceremony on Saturday.

She added: “He’s committed to his own level of service and it will stay that way.”