Princess Anne forced to make 'very difficult decisions' to keep 700-acre estate running

Royal experts have revealed that Princess Anne has faced "very difficult decisions" to maintain her 700-acre Gatcombe Park estate amidst financial challenges.

Professor Kate Williams noted that the cost of living crisis has hit the Princess Royal and her family "hard", especially after the cancellation of The Festival of British Eventing, which had been running for 40 years, due to soaring costs post-pandemic.

Mark Phillips, Anne's former husband, attributed the decision to escalating costs, particularly insurance. The 74 year old princess was reportedly "devastated" by the need to end the tradition, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Kate explained: "Gatcombe Park is an expensive place to run, it's a huge estate and the inflation, cost of living crisis, has hit them hard."

She added: "Anne has had to make some very difficult decisions to keep Gatcombe Park afloat."

She also mentioned the challenges of generating sufficient income for the estate during economic downturns. Channel 5 News Royal correspondent Simon Vigar remarked on the financial acumen required from the outset: "From day one, they've had to make massive financial decisions, quite rightly, they don't get money from the tax payer, they have to make it work."

Country Life Magazine's Deputy Editor Kate Green weighed in, acknowledging the gravity of cancelling such an event: "It's a big thing to put on and if you know you're going to struggle to break even or make a profit on it, it's sometimes best to pull the plug. It was not a decision taken lightly. It's a big loss."

After the festival season came to a close, Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence found their alternate revenue streams more pivotal than ever. Tying the knot in 1992, the royal couple primarily garners profits via their farm, aided by their estate manager, as per the insights shared on Channel 5's Gatcombe Park: A Royal Residence documentary.

"The Princess rears Gloucester Old Spot pigs, White Park cattle and Wiltshire Horn sheep and selling their meat locally is what keeps the whole thing ticking over," revealed Kate in the film. Emily Andrews, a Royal commentator, described their farming approach as focused on native breeds, grass-fed, [and] organic.

"And the reason they took this decision was a very commercial decision," she said. "It's because those animals command the best possible prices."

Kate also weighed in on the importance of native breeds, noting their efficiency regarding food and medication needs, and their reduced carbon footprint, rendering them more ecologically sound.

The documentary's narrator conveyed that Princess Anne has affirmed these methods are "the only way they can turn a profit" and represent "a sustainable choice". Furthermore, the Queen's late daughter's horse facilities are crucial in supporting the family financially, hosting top riders like Team GB's Tom McEwen, who pays to keep his horses at Anne's establishment.

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