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Britain’s Princess Anne will perform the memorably named role of Gold Stick in Waiting during the coronation of her brother King Charles III on Saturday.
The princess, 72, will ride on horseback behind the king’s state coach when it returns from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the coronation.
Her title is that of a royal bodyguard who would once have wielded a golden-tipped staff to protect England’s kings and queens.
The role is now a symbolic one but it gives the king’s sister a prominent place in the procession.
Princess Anne is often considered one of the most popular royals after largely steering clear of family scandals.
A YouGov poll published this week showed she was viewed positively by 72 per cent of the British public, the joint-highest score in the family with Prince William.
Admirers credit her with an understated diligence and her role on Saturday has been seen as a reward for her loyalty.
The role of Gold Stick is invoked only on state occasions such as parades and the official opening of parliament.
It can be held by the colonel of one of two cavalry regiments, the Life Guards, and the Blues and Royals.
The princess, a former Olympic equestrian and BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1971, is colonel of the Blues and Royals.
The only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, she is also known as the Princess Royal.
Armed forces rehearse for the coronation - in pictures
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The Life Guards, part of the Household Cavalry, join the rehearsal on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty -
Royal Marine Commandos join the rehearsal with British and Commonwealth armed services for the second procession accompanying King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace. Getty -
Drummers from the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth at the rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the Royal Navy parade on the runway at RAF Odiham. Getty -
The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from Portsmouth ensure it's in tune for the coronation procession. Getty -
Seamus, the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards, is the only dog to be included in the festivities. Getty -
Soldiers from The Guards march at RAF Odiham. Getty -
A piccolo player on parades during the full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty -
RAF personnel parade during Sunday's coronation procession practice run. Getty -
Members of the Royal Marines parade. Getty -
RAF personnel stand in formation at RAF Odiham. Getty -
It'll be all right on the night ... British Army soldiers rehearse. Getty -
For King and Queen Consort ... military personnel take part in the full rehearsal. Getty -
The Royal Lancers join the rehearsal. Getty -
RAF personnel stand in formation for the rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the Armed Forces rehearse the Royal Salute. Getty -
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories lead the full rehearsal of the coronation procession. Getty -
Soldiers from the Guards hold their bearskin hats in the air as they give three cheers for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at a rehearsal of the coronation procession on April 30 in RAF Odiham, England. Getty -
Service members on practice parade. Getty -
The full tri-service and Commonwealth rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the British Army Band at RAF Odiham. Getty -
Service members representing 34 Commonwealth nations and six overseas territories. Getty -
The service members from the Commonwealth nations and territories lead the full rehearsal. Getty Images -
Flag bearers representing the Commonwealth nations and overseas territories await the start of the rehearsal. Getty -
Members of the Royal Air Force march. PA -
Members of the Armed Forces at practice. PA -
Members of the Royal Air Force during the full rehearsal in Hampshire. PA
In an interview with Canadian broadcaster CBC, she joked that her ceremonial military role on Saturday made it easy to choose an outfit.
“Gold Stick was the original close protection officer,” she said.
“That is a role that I was asked if I’d like to do for this coronation, so I said yes. Not least of all, it solves my dress problem.”
Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, will be in the third carriage behind King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.
Princess Anne has two adult children from an earlier marriage, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, who largely stay out of the royal limelight.
