LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth's only daughter, was ordered on Wednesday to do what no senior member of the royal family has done in over a century -- appear in court.

The Princess Royal and her husband are due in the dock next month after one of their bull terrier dogs allegedly attacked two children in April as they walked in a royal park.

The last time a senior member of Britain's royal family took part in court proceedings was 1890, when the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, testified in the so-called "royal baccarat scandal" over gambling irregularities.

Wednesday's summons came as Princess Anne was touring drought-hit parts of Africa on a five-day charity trip, carrying out her role as president of Save The Children UK.

The 52-year-old Princess and her husband Tim Laurence, 47, were earlier charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act after one of their dogs allegedly bit the children -- aged seven and 12 -- in Windsor Great Park near Windsor Castle, west of London.

At Wednesday's preliminary hearing, Judge Terence English said the court would expect both defendants to be personally present at the next hearing on November 21.

"They are not proceedings that can take place in their absence," he said.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the case.

If found guilty, the couple could face punishment of up to six months in prison and a 5,000 pounds ($7,759) fine, but royal watchers doubt they would spend time behind bars.

"I can't see that either would be imprisoned in this case, but they may face a fine, or perhaps the dog will be put down," said Monarchist League spokesman Don Foreman.

"It is highly unusual for members of the royal family to appear in court...though Anne has several speeding violations these are always dealt with without a court appearance being necessary," he said.

The couple are expected to have the charges formally put to them at their appearance next month. Anne, younger sister of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, was divorced from her first husband in 1992 and is known as an enthusiastic equestrian and tireless charity worker.

Her speeding violations date back to the 1970s but caused only minor embarrassment for the royal family.