That same year, the official royal website also noted the extensive livestock on the property that included 230 Wiltshire Horn sheep, 14 White Park cows, 6 Highland cows, and 2 Gloucester Old Spot sows. There is also a prized herd of rare Suffolk Punch horses, which Anne is passionate about saving. The estate also includes a kitted out party barn, which includes catering facilities, large screens and bar/lounge areas.
The last few years have been eventful, in both good and bad ways. In 2021, Zara gave birth to her third child, Lucas, on the bathroom floor at Aston Farm. In 2023, the estate hosted their last Eventing Festival, citing rising costs and COVID as the reason.
“The horse trials at Gatcombe and more recently the Festival of British Eventing have been a major part of my life for over 40 years when The Princess Royal and I first had the dream,” Mark Phillips said in a statement at the time. “It’s truly a great sadness that the original model and indeed the sport has changed so much. Since COVID, costs, particularly insurance, have risen so much that the numbers no longer add up. It is an end of an era, the next 40 years of the sport will be different, let’s hope it can be equally special.”
In 2024, Princess Anne was reportedly injured by a horse on the property, which resulted in her being hospitalized for a concussion. But there was happier news in June of 2026, when Peter Phillips and his new wife Harriet Sperling reportedly celebrated their wedding reception at the party barn.
Although Princess Anne still continues with her punishing schedule of official engagements, staying in her London apartment in St. James Palace when she must, it is clear her heart lies at Gatcombe Park, surrounded by her loved ones, beloved animals and the crisp country air. “It’s very normal; there isn’t any standing on ceremony, and she’s the only one with a title,” royal historian Robert Hardman told Hello!. “She’s a very good grandmother. She’s hands-on, but like all grandchildren, I think they can get away with things. She dotes on them.”
In fact, the normally tight-lipped Anne has said so herself. “It’s really nice to come back and just be yourself in an area like this.” Former royal courtier Ailsa Anderson agrees. “Gatcombe is her bolthole, where she is not the Princess Royal—she is Anne.”
