21 looks that prove Princess Anne is the Royal Family’s unexpected style icon
There is an air of relaxation and confidence around Princess Anne that likely came with being the second child of the late Queen Elizabeth; public occasions and a comfortable life, but none of the pressures of being next-in-line to the throne.
As such, Princess Anne’s style is slightly more liberated than some of the members of the Royal Family from her generation.
Although often overlooked for some of the younger royal women, such as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex, the Queen’s only daughter is actually one of the Royal Family’s true arbiters of style.
And when actor Erin Doherty took on the role of Princess Anne for the third and fourth seasons of Netflix’s The Crown, the public were able to see why, with an intimate look into the royal’s wardrobe through the years.
Vibrant coat dresses and headscarves follow in the footsteps of her mother, the Queen, whilst her ‘off-duty’ outfits feature subtle style influences from her equestrian career.
The mother-of-two is also known for recycling outfits, such as her floral-print dress worn both to the wedding of the Prince of Wales in 1981 and the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor in 2008.
Noted for wearing bold patterns, puff sleeves and vibrant pops of colour, Anne is also the patron of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, and one of the few women in the Royal Family to regularly still wear her military uniform.
The Princess Royal has a knack for being ahead of the curve when it comes to trends, too. From straight-leg jeans and cowboy boots in the Sixties, to cool and casual loose-fitting shirts with high-waisted jeans in the Seventies, some of the princess’ outfits wouldn’t look out of place in 2022 on Hailey Bieber or Kendall Jenner.
And who could forget her iconic sunglasses? The sporty style lenses are synonymous with the Princess Royal and wouldn’t look out of place on a Balenciaga billboard.
As she celebrates her 73rd birthday, we look back at Princess Anne’s iconic wardrobe over the years.
21 of Princess Anne's best style looks
1952
Even from a young age you could see Princess Anne's free spirit, seen here laughing in a portrait taken of her and her older brother Prince Charles, as part of his official fourth birthday portraits.
1952
Princess Anna and Prince Charles with their mother the Queen in matching double-breasted knitted cardigans and velvet trousers whilst in the ground of Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
1954
Matchy-match was the modus operandi for the Queen's two eldest, wearing matching white patent shoes and sock, with peach coloured double-breasted coats.
1962
As the princess grew up, her individual style started to flourish, seen here in a white cotton summer dress whilst on holiday in France
1967
During her teens, Princess Anne's style was more inspired by her connections to equestrianism and loose-fitting checked shirts tucked into jeans became a go-to outfit of choice.
1968
From the straight-leg jeans, to the cowboy boots peeping out, to the layered shirt, jumper and wool coat, this look wouldn't look out of place if the Princess Royal wore it today, 54 years later.
1969
Princess Anne was even able to make subtle nods to her equestrian side when attending public events, like this silk scarf tucked in to the buttoned-up collar of her coat.
1969
The Queen's only daughter can still take after her mother from time to time, here opting for her tactic of brightly coloured coat dresses.
1970
The cropped double-breasted wool coat style was popular in the 1960s and 1970s, proving that the princess knows what she's doing when it comes to trends.
1971
A tucked in neck scarf became one of Anne's go-to styling tricks.
1971
But she also embraced the more feminine trends of the time, seen here in a patterned sleeveless A-line mini dress.
1973
This aquamarine outfit worn by Princess Anne in Berlin in 1973, became one of the key images for The Crown's costume department to get right.
1973
Princess Anne's Tudor-style wedding dress with a princess line, trumpet sleeves and a seven-foot-long train featured almost every trend from the 1970s. The dress, created by Maureen Baker, the chief designer at Susan Smalls, sported white silk chiffon undersleeves edged with pearls and jewels.
1975
A classic look from the princess as her clashing prints are anchored by her smart hat and matching pearl-string necklace and earrings.
1976
Princess Anne wearing a form-fitting coat dress with furry sleeves and neckline, with a pill-box hat that has become a go-to millinery style. for many of the female royals.
1981
Even pregnant with her second child, the Princess Royal couldn't help but look chic, with this cream cape coat subtly hitting her baby bump.
1990
As aforementioned Princess Anne is a royal who moves with the times, seen here in a typically late Eighties, early Nineties skirt suit with puffed power sleeves.
2017
Princess Anne is one of the few female members of the Royal Family who still wears her military uniform to appropriate. public appearances.
2020
As patron of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, Princess Anne will often attend fashion shows and events on behalf of her mother, the Queen.
2022
The Princess Royal wore a cream and navy checked blazer for the Platinum Party in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, but also wouldn't be seen without her silk neck scarf and brooch.
