She claimed to have never thought or done anything, at any stage of her life, against the will of her parents
Italikos 107.11-22
Her intelligence had three components: a natural quickness she showed since a child, the results of her education, especially its secular element, and the fruits of her long experience
She was the firstborn child of Alexios 1, but Ioannes 2 was the eldest male child and his father's favourite; he planned to bequeath the empire to Ioannes
πρωτογενής. Niketas Choniates, Historia 4.85
She was inseparable from her mother Eirene 61, and acquired from her all the qualities of character and restraint of dress and behaviour for which she was famous; Anna also helped her mother in contacts with the public
Tornikes, Georgios 257.20-263.9
She gave signs of deep filial piety even before birth, and plenty more throughout her life
καθαρῶς φιλομήτωρ κατὰ ταὐτὸν ἐγεγόνειν καὶ φιλοπάτωρ. Anna Komnene 184.97-98