Finlay Jacobs, a digital creator, shared his unexpected meeting with Princess Anne while on a run in Scotland, detailing the brief but encouraging interaction.
Jacobs recounted on his Instagram Stories that a Land Rover pulled up alongside him as he ran past a house. A woman emerged from the vehicle, whom he initially greeted casually. Upon a second look, he realized it was Princess Anne.
"I look again, and I'm like, it's Princess Anne, Princess Anne of Scotland, it's like what the heck," Jacobs said. He stated that the Princess Royal offered him words of encouragement, telling him, "keep going."
He expressed surprise at the encounter, admitting he considered asking for a photo but decided against it to respect her privacy. "I was like, I'll keep going because I'm not going to disturb her. She's obviously out here for privacy," he explained.
The encounter occurred while it is thought Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, are holidaying at Balmoral with other members of the Royal Family for the summer. The King and Queen Camilla, along with Prince William, Kate, and their children, are also reported to be at the Scottish estate, as are other royals including Prince Edward, Sophie, their children, Zara and Mike Tindall, and Peter Phillips with his new wife.
This personal anecdote from Princess Anne's summer break comes amidst broader royal family news, including the return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the UK and upcoming overseas tours for King Charles and Queen Camilla.