Princess Anne has been promoted by the Army and Royal Air Force to mark her 70th birthday.

The Princess Royal - the Queen's second child - will take up the role of general and air chief marshal, bringing her ranks in line with her rank in the Royal Navy.

It is a tradition that senior royals are treated as military members and receive promotions as they get older.

Earlier this year, Prince Andrew was due to be promoted but it was deferred.

(Tarik Samarah)

Princess Anne turns 70 on Saturday and her birthday is being marked with the release of three official photographs taken at her home in Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire.

The pictures were taken in late February by John Swannell, who has also photographed other senior royals as well as Tony Blair, Sir Michael Caine and Sir Elton John.

Speaking earlier this week, Anne's son-in-law Mike Tindall said plans to mark the day have been "scaled back" because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We did have plans - it would've been up in Scotland - but obviously with Covid and Aberdeen being locked down a bit, I think everything's been scaled back a little bit," said the former England rugby star, who is married to Anne's daughter Zara, on The One Show.

(NewsStyle.com)

"It's a shame. I'm sure we'll do something as a family to celebrate her 70 amazing years, she's just an incredible woman in terms of how much work she can get through in the year.

"We will be doing something, as yet I don't know whether she knows - so my lips are sealed."

Speaking about her military promotion, which has been approved by the Queen, the Ministry of Defence said Anne had been "hugely supportive" of the armed forces.

"This promotion on her 70th birthday recognises her invaluable contribution and commitment to the military."

(Lupni.com/BBC)