Princess Anne, often hailed as the hardest-working royal, is just as well known for her commitment to rewearing her favourite pieces.
Over the years, she has breathed new life into an impressive collection of coats, dresses, hats and handbags – some of which have been in rotation for decades.
Speaking about her approach to fashion, she once remarked: ‘A good suit goes on forever. If it is properly made and has a classic look, you can wear it ad infinitum. The economy was bred into me.’
As the Princess celebrates her 76th birthday, we take a closer look at some of the most memorable moments from her ‘time capsule’ wardrobe.
For the Nigerian state banquet at Windsor Castle in March, Anne revisited an ivory coat dress she first wore in 1969, when she was just 18, for the premiere of Run Wild, Run Free
For the Nigerian state banquet at Windsor Castle in March, Anne revisited an ivory coat dress she first wore in 1969, when she was just 18, for the premiere of Run Wild, Run Free.
Crafted from ribbed ivory silk, the figure-skimming design features embroidered cuffs and intricate beading.
For her recent appearance, Anne gave the vintage piece a contemporary update, removing its original ruffled neckline and replacing it with a classic pointed collar.
Red coat
This double-breasted red coat is clearly another of Anne’s enduring favourites. She began wearing it regularly in the 1990s, for occasions ranging from Christmas celebrations to horse races, and has continued to bring it out over the years
This double-breasted red coat is clearly another of Anne’s enduring favourites.
She began wearing it regularly in the 1990s, for events ranging from Christmas celebrations to horse races, and has continued to bring it out over the years.
Most recently, she wore the timeless piece on the final day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, styling it with a faux fur headpiece and knee-high boots.
Turquoise dress
The Princess Royal first wore this turquoise dress during the 1978 state visit of President Khama of Botswana, in London , when she was 26. She wore it most recently during a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Dubai in March
The Princess Royal first wore this turquoise dress during the 1978 state visit of President Khama of Botswana in London when she was 26.
Since then, Anne has worn the garment on a number of occasions, including Royal Ascot in 2013 and a visit to the Queen Elizabeth 2 hotel in Dubai in March.
Astonishingly, it retains its pristine condition.
Lilac coat
Anne wore this lilac coat on at least six royal engagements between 1982 and 2004
Anne wore this lilac coat on at least six royal engagements between 1982 and 2004.
The Princess debuted the outerwear, with a corresponding John Boyd veiled hat, when welcoming Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for a state visit in 1982.
A year later, she wore it for the unveiling of the Mountbatten Memorial Statue in London, followed by an appearance in 1988 to launch the submarine HMS Talent.
Anne wore the elegant coat again for the 1992 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and then for a fourth time on a visit to Greenwich’s Royal Naval College in 1997.
More recently, she reached for the A-line wool design on Christmas Day in 2001, 2004 and 2013, pairing it with her original hat.
Pink satin dress
Anne wore her striking satin dress to the 1984 Bafta Awards (left) and the 2001 Save The Children Festival (right)
Anne has demonstrated her style prowess in this perfectly eighties frock.
Attending the 1984 Bafta Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel, she made a bold statement in a satin gown, featuring voluminous puff sleeves and a houndstooth-printed skirt.
When it came to rewearing the dress in 2001, Anne altered the sleeves to make it more appropriate for the decade.
Yellow and navy coat
The Princess Royal has worn her yellow and navy coat on five occasions since 2007. Pictured left in 2011 and right in 2023
Anne has showcased this yellow and navy coat five times since 2007.
She debuted the tailored single-breasted design at the Easter Sunday service in Windsor 18 years ago.
She dusted it off for Royal Ascot in 2009 and, a decade later, wore it for the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Most recently, she wore the coat while visiting New Zealand and then Jersey in 2023.
Printed skirt suit
This skirt suit was a mainstay in Princess Anne’s 90s wardrobe. She dusted it off for Royal Ascot in 2014 (right)
Initially seen at Royal Ascot in 1988, this skirt suit played a key role in Princess Anne’s nineties wardrobe.
She notably selected the printed jacket and mid-length cream skirt for the wedding of Lady Helen Windsor and Tim Taylor at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in 1992.
It was next spotted at Ascot in 1994 and later at a VE Day commemoration in 1995.
Following a 19-year break, the look was revived at Royal Ascot 2014, complemented with the same ivory gloves and court shoes.
Floral wrap dress
Anne wore her Maureen Baker floral print dress to royal weddings in 1981 (left) and 2008 (right)
The Princess has worn this floral print dress by Maureen Baker for two royal weddings – 27 years apart.
Anne debuted the wrap dress, adorned with orange tulips and ruffles, at the wedding of her brother, Prince Charles, to Princess Diana in 1981.
She added pearl jewellery and a John Boyd floral hat in complementary tones.
Almost three decades later, Anne rewore the look to the 2008 wedding of her cousin, Lady Rose Windsor, to George Gilman at the Queen’s Chapel in London.
Coral dress and floral jacket
Anne recycled her mother-of-the-bride outfit for Royal Ascot 2012, swapping her fascinator for a wide-brimmed hat
In 2011, Anne excelled with her vibrant mother-of-the-bride outfit.
The proud parent looked radiant in a floral print jacket, layered over a coral pleated dress that fell to the knee, as she witnessed her daughter, Zara Phillips, tie the knot with Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh.
The next year, Anne recycled her ensemble for Royal Ascot, swapping her fascinator for a wide-brimmed hat.
Orange-trimmed skirt suit
Princess Anne has worn this cream skirt suit with orange trim a handful of times over the years
Anne first wore this sleek skirt suit to Trooping the Colour in 1987.
Since then, she has reached for the two-piece numerous times, including during a three-day visit to Pretoria, South Africa, to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
While her pearl jewellery remains untouched, Anne has paired the look with various hats – and once went bareheaded.
Initially, she accessorised with an orange fascinator, before opting for a cream chapeau at the 2008 Founders Day Parade at Chelsea Royal Hospital.
However, Anne wore the outfit sans hat to attend the Centenary Annual meeting of the National Federation of Women’s Institute at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015.
Embellished gown
Princess Anne demonstrated her fearless fashion sense in this embellished gown, worn in 1989 (left) and 2005 (right)
The Princess demonstrated her fearless fashion sense in this embellished lavender gown.
In 1989, she wore the vivid design to an event at the Royal Albert Hall, marking the 70th anniversary of the Save the Children fund.
The royal swapped her velvet choker for a three-strand pearl necklace when she rewore the dress to Grosvenor House in 2005.
Fur-trimmed coat
Debuted in 1976, Anne rewore her fur-trimmed coat in 1983 (left) and 2012 (right)
This fur-lined coat has seen Princess Anne through five decades of winters.
Aged 23, she wore the pastel-coloured coat to the 1976 wedding of friends Chris Collins and Susanne Lumb, teaming it with a Yvette Jelfs hat and patent boots.
It reappeared for a meeting with church dignitaries, which she attended with her husband, Mark Phillips, in 1983.
A blue scarf and bag appeared to be the only alterations when Anne sported the look for Christmas Day services at Sandringham in 2003 and 2006.
By 2008, she upgraded her knee-high boots and added a new hat, repeating this combination in 2012.
Cream and navy coat
Princess Anne has worn her smart cream and navy coat on no less than five occasions since 1980
Simple yet striking, this coat is another favourite of Anne’s.
She first wore the design with a white pillbox hat at Royal Ascot in 1980, recycling the look at the Derby at Epsom Downs in 1985.
The Princess Royal dusted off the timeless coat for two Buckingham Palace garden parties in 2015.
She repeated the flawless ensemble for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2018.
Yellow coat dress
Anne has favoured her Susan Small coat dress for significant events throughout the years
Anne has been loyal to this yellow double-breasted coat by Susan Small for over four decades.
It was initially worn to Trooping the Colour in 1980, teamed with a matching printed dress and wide-brimmed hat – an ensemble that was replicated at the Epsom Derby in 1983.
After a hiatus, Anne resurrected the coat in 2007 for the Central Benevolent Fund garden party and wore it again to Royal Ascot in 2011 and 2015.
