Princess Anne has stepped out in public for the first time since the death of her father Prince Philip as she returned to her royal duties.

The Princess Royal wore all black and large sunglasses as she arrived on the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

The family are currently observing two weeks of royal mourning, however they are "continuing to undertake engagements appropriate to the circumstances," a royal official said.

The Queen is said to have given her daughter special permission to attend the event as it's an organisation that was close to Prince Philip's heart.

The Duke was a huge fan of sailing and had been a member of the club since the forties.

Anne took part in a video engagement earlier this week, joining the Royal College of Emergency Medicine's Spring Conference in her role as the organisation's patron, however today is her first in-person engagement.

Following the Duke of Edinburghs death on Friday, Anne released a moving statement saying she was not ready for his passing.

Princess Anne is back at work (
Image:
REUTERS)
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Image:
REUTERS)

Anne, the Queen and Philip's second born, was extremely close to her father and the pair shared a 'just get on with it' approach to life.

She wrote: "You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready. My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate."

She also praised his ability to treat everyone "as an individual in their own right" and said it was an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps for much of her royal work.

Princess Anne was very close to her father (
Image:
Getty Images)

Both Prince William and Prince Harry revealed that their grandfather would have wanted them to "get on with the job" in their tributes, so the engagements are in keeping with his wishes.

The Queen also returned to work yesterday, hosting a ceremony as the Earl Peel formally stood down as Lord Chamberlain.

The Earl Peel had overseen arrangements for the duke's funeral - known as Operation Forth Bridge - before handing responsibility to his successor, former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker, just over a week before Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle.

The Lord Chamberlain's Office, led by the Queen's Comptroller Lieutenant Colonel Michael Vernon, is tasked with the practical side of the day.

Princess Anne is expected to join other members of the royal family, including the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate for Philip's funeral on Saturday. Prince Harry has also returned to the UK from the US so he can attend.

The service, which has been adapted in line with Covid restrictions, will take place at Windsor.

All guests must wear face masks.