Queen Anne

Having segued from a high-powered career in banking to influential roles in philanthropy, Anne Wang-Liu talks to Annie Darling about the importance of nurturing the arts and supporting people with cancer, and how travel is opening her daughters’ minds

The first heavy showers of the year cleanse the air as Hong Kong steams up in preparation for the long summer months. Despite mostly cloudy skies, Anne WangLiu looks positively sun-kissed when she arrives at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s bustling MO Bar. Fresh off the plane from a whirlwind trip to Europe, she’s wearing a black chiffon jumpsuit by Erdem and toting an emerald-green Hermès bag that turns more than a few heads in admiration.

Anne regularly jets off to exotic climes with husband Julian and daughters Madeleine, 14, and Audrey, 11. Their latest getaway took them to Barcelona—via a pit stop in Dubai, hence the bronzed complexion—where they admired Gaudí architecture, binged on “the best chocolate-smothered churros” after lunching at exclusive Cocina Hermanos Torres, and explored the city’s many museums, marvelling at masterpieces such as Picasso’s Seated Man (1969).

“Travelling has always been a part of my life,” she says. “It builds character and I’m determined to ensure that my daughters have the opportunity to experience new countries and cultures. Family holidays are at the heart of my most treasured memories, so we take every opportunity to escape together.”

It’s therefore fitting that Anne graces the cover of our Travel Issue. During the photo shoot, she looked as confident in a fuchsiapink Chloé blouse as she did in an Orseund Iris two-piece—an ability that’s essential for a woman with wanderlust. “I love to laugh and that really comes across in these photos,” says Anne, who describes her style as “elegant with an edge,” though she prefers neutral tones over too much colour. “I wouldn’t say I’m super trendy. Lots of people dress a lot edgier than I do, but remember—I do have two kids,” she laughs.