Princess Anne undertakes new engagement at Windsor Castle amid royal shortage

Princess Anne has undertaken a new engagement at Windsor Castle amid a royal shortage.

The Princess Royal carried out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle today as other senior members of the Royal Family stepped back.

The King is not performing public engagements as he continues cancer treatment leaving his siblings to step up their royal duties.

Following Princess Kate’s cancer announcement, Prince William has also been spending time with his family.

Princess Anne handed out honours to recognise services to charitable campaigning, drama, journalism and sport today.

Anne made English actress Celia Imrie a Commander of the Order of the British Empire to recognise her contribution to drama.

She also made Mr Alexander Mcleish and Laura Coryton members of the Order of the British Empire for their charitable campaigning.

Speaking to PA about her acting campaign, Celia said: “I did say to Anne the great thing is to have a laugh, because you have to in life, but also keep people guessing so that they're a bit surprised about what you're doing next, and she agreed.

“She said, ‘Oh yes, you have gone off-piste a bit’, so I was thrilled that she knew that.”

Celia also said that she was delighted to meet Princess Anne as she was a huge admirer describing her as “tireless” and “unstoppable, with so little fuss.”

When speaking about the honour, she added: “[It was] completely overwhelming, and I found myself bursting into tears at the end of it, which is too silly, but I sort of wish my mother and father were here.”

Celia has held a variety of roles from Bridget Jones’s Diary to the Star Wars Franchise as she wanted to prove a lot to herself.

She continued: “Dame Maggie Smith was asked what is the most important quality for an actor, and I agree with her it's health, health and health.

“But I would also say to anybody [that] it's a wonderful life - it's a gypsy life actually.”

The Princess Royal held the investiture today as the King keeps his engagements restricted to small numbers of people amid his cancer treatment.

The King was pictured for the first time since his Easter Sunday appearance today as he was presented with banknotes featuring his portrait.

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Charles was given the first bank notes featuring his portrait from the Bank of England before they enter circulation in the coming weeks.

Governor Andrew Bailey and Sarah John, the Bank of England’s Chief Cashier, arrived at Buckingham Palace to present the monarch with the new banknotes.

The monarch remarked that they were “very well designed.”

The new £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes will enter circulation from June 5, which marks the first time the Bank of England has changed the image of the monarch on a banknote.