In this paper the analytical solution for the stress fields in the close neighbourhoods of blunt cracks in thick anisotropic plates is provided. As a first step the equations of the three‐dimensional theory of elasticity are successfully reduced to two un‐coupled equations in the two‐dimensional space. Later on, the 3D stress field solution for anisotropic plates with blunt cracks is presented and its degree of accuracy discussed comparing theoretical results and numerical data from 3D FE analyses. Eventually, relevant expressions for the Generalised Stress Intensity Factors for blunt cracks in orthotropic plates under mode I, II and III are provided.