Although the reported annoyance suggests a rare moment of discord, those close to the family maintain that Princess Anne and Prince William have a warm relationship.

The two are frequently seen together at major royal events and appear to share a mutual respect — especially when it comes to service and family.

When Princess Anne returned to her duties after a recent horse-riding accident, William and Kate praised her resilience in a public message, calling her a “super trooper” and writing: “So great to see you back so soon! W & C x.”

They’ve also reflected on their shared history. During a light-hearted appearance on Mike Tindall’s podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, Anne and William laughed about their childhood races at Balmoral Castle.

“Running around the square at Balmoral — I was really good at that, I did corners really well,” Anne recalled. William replied with a chuckle: “You were quite quick! Also the look that you had on your face was quite terrifying.”

The Princess Royal, who turns 75 next month, is expected to celebrate the milestone with the release of a commemorative coin — another nod to her status as one of the monarchy’s most enduring figures.

While Buckingham Palace has not commented on the reported tension, the story serves as a reminder of the behind-the-scenes dynamics that continue to shape the modern royal family.