The newest member of the Royal Family, Mrs Harriet Phillips, made her first post-wedding appearance on 16th June at Royal Ascot. Dressed in a gorgeous dusty blue frock and matching hat, she even got to make a very regal entrance alongside her mother-in-law Princess Anne and husband Peter.

Harriet was all smiles as she rode in the royal procession on Day 1, sitting in pride of place beside Princess Anne in the carriage. She had the traditional name badge pinned to her dress, reading, "Mrs Peter Phillips", and whilst this was to be expected, her subtle tribute to her husband was more of a surprise.

She made the sweet gesture of having her new initials monogrammed on to her matching blue Anya Hindmarch clutch bag.

This touching detail suggests that Harriet has jumped right into her new life as the wife of Peter, considering their wedding took place less than two weeks before Royal Ascot. Harriet and Peter married on 6th June, in a small, private ceremony followed by a reception at Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate.

Harriet’s closeness with her new mother-in-law was also on show at Ascot, with the pair caught laughing and chatting away as they rode in the second carriage of the procession. She was also spotted bonding with her new sister-in-law, Zara Tindall, before she headed to the Royal Box to watch the proceedings.

Even Harriet’s style choices nod to the fact that she’s fitting in well with her new family. Her high-necked blue dress is made by Suzannah London, designed in the Biarritz style and, per the brand’s website, is inspired by the late 1940s vintage tea dress style.

The designer is a go-to for the likes of Duchess Sophie and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Harriet’s matching hat was made by another royal favourite, milliner Jane Taylor London, who also made Kate's sunshine yellow hat from Ascot Day 2.

Staying in that honeymoon bubble, Harriet’s choice of jewellery was a link back to her wedding day too. She wore a set of Pragnell jewels and was loaned the Pragnell Tiara to wear for her nuptials. The Edwardian pearl and diamond design has a deep connection to the family she married into, having been present at the coronations of both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

Harriet's wedding tiara also paid subtle tribute to the royals in another way as it's very similar to Princess Anne's Meander Tiara.

The laurel leaves and articulated floral motifs, per the jeweller's website, bear "great resemblance to the tiara owned by The Princess Royal, in the official photograph celebrating her fiftieth birthday in 2000". As well as being worn by Princess Anne often over the years, the Meander Tiara was worn by Zara for her 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall.

The moment Harriet Sperling arrived at All Saints Church for her wedding to Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips I was surprised. Not because she didn't look sensational, as she definitely did, but because Harriet put her own spin on a royal bridal tradition.

In the lead-up to the couple's big day there had been so much speculation over whether she'd be lent a tiara from the Royal Family. Princess Anne has several headpieces that her daughter-in-law could've worn and Harriet chose to borrow a tiara from Pragnell jewellers instead.

This was unexpected, though the new Mrs Phillips' tiara has a special and subtle connection to the Princess Royal. It's something you probably wouldn't know just by looking at it, though I suspect Harriet decided on the Pragnell Tiara for this reason.

On the Pragnell website they share some details about several historic tiaras and the one Harriet wore for her and Peter's wedding features diamonds and pearls. The Pragnell Tiara combines Edwardian and Deco design elements which the jewellers state is "very rare".

There are laurel leaves and articulated floral motifs "bearing great resemblance to the tiara owned by The Princess Royal, in the official photograph celebrating her fiftieth birthday in 2000."

This tiara is owned by the Pragnell family and has been worn to the coronations of both Princess Anne's grandfather King George VI and mother Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara worn by the Princess Royal for her 50th birthday pictures is the Meander Tiara which is believed to have once belonged to Prince Philip's mother.

This is the same piece Zara Tindall borrowed for her wedding in 2011 and both pieces have geometric motifs in diamonds. Princess Anne has worn this tiara frequently over the years and Harriet's decision to wear a tiara that resembles it could be seen as a sweet nod to this sentimental item whilst still doing things her own way.

Pragnell designed her engagement ring, so going for the Pragnell Tiara pays tribute to this connection whilst still honouring Princess Anne. Perhaps there was also an element of the couple wanting to do things a little differently to other royal weddings as this is a second marriage for both of them.

When Peter married his first wife Autumn in 2008 she borrowed Anne's Festoon Tiara and all of his cousins who've got married so far have all worn one of Queen Elizabeth's tiaras.

His and Harriet's wedding on 6th June was much more low-key than all of these - except for perhaps Princess Beatrice's wedding which took place during the pandemic. Peter and Harriet tied the knot in a private ceremony and the reception was held at Gatcombe Park, the Gloucestershire estate where Peter, Zara and Princess Anne all live.

It was a royal wedding done their way and in another subtle hat tip to tradition, Harriet's gorgeous bouquet contained the traditional sprig of myrtle. Royal brides have had myrtle in their wedding bouquets since the 1800s and it's a symbol of love, innocence and fertility.

Leave it to Princess Anne to find a way to immediately put a room full of people tasked with an important job at ease. The Princess Royal has long been admired for her dry sense of humour, her dependable work ethic and the fact that, despite being the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, she doesn’t stand on ceremony.

This is apparently true even in situations which are definitely all about her - like when a portrait is being painted. Speaking to Hello!, portrait artist Louise Pragnell has recalled the time she was working on a piece and Princess Anne came sweeping into the room, dispensing with rigid protocols.

Louise explained that before the first sitting for a portrait she was apparently given some pretty strict instructions, including where to sit and how to properly introduce herself when the Princess Royal arrived.

However, true to form, Princess Anne had other plans. Louise claimed, "She walked in and looked straight across and waved and said, 'Hello!' The people around were thinking, ‘That didn't go how we'd planned’. She's really cool, she just gets on with it."

Artist Louise added that the King's sister also helped put her at ease after an embarrassing slip up the first time they met in 2010.

"She was the first royal I ever met and I got my curtsey all wrong," she explained. "Having never seen a real life example of a curtsey, I messed it up and went bright red."

Louise has painted two portraits of the Princess Royal, so this was all forgiven, it seems. One of these pieces was created to commemorate Princess Anne being appointed Colonel-In-Chief of the Intelligence Corps.

Reflecting on her tireless energy, Louise also revealed that she would try to offer breaks to the Princess Royal. Despite this, Anne reportedly showed absolutely no signs of needing a breather during the packed schedule and was very considerate of the needs of those also working around her.

She said, "She's a seriously impressive person. Her first sitting was her fourth engagement of the day. She had to stand in these heavy robes for two hours. Halfway through, I said: 'Ma'am, do you need a break?' She was like, 'No, do you need a break, Louise?'"

Having painted other royals, including the Duke of Kent, Louise has now gained valuable experience. There's a unique trait that she feels they've all mastered and it probably isn't easy to do so.

"Royals are very rehearsed at putting people at their ease. They'll want to feel that I'm going to get what I need out of the sitting," she said.

Princess Anne is the Royal Family's not-so-secret weapon, calmly filling her schedule with huge numbers of engagements and never seeking the spotlight for herself. Her approach has made her invaluable to King Charles in particular and she's apparently "determined" to help him stabilise the monarchy's future after a challenging time.

According to royal author Robert Jobson, she is "the family member the King can rely on absolutely". Speaking to Hello!, he shared that the Princess "doesn't stop", although what he calls the "Andrew fallout" has "undoubtedly rattled her and the family".

Princess Anne's younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office in February.

Just months earlier he was stripped of his princely title by the King and notice was served on his lease at his home of over two decades, Royal Lodge. Andrew now lives on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and he continues to vehemently deny all allegations of wrongdoing against him.

Even so, scrutiny and headlines continue to follow him and, by association, the Royal Family, so it's perhaps no surprise if his older sister feels "rattled". Throughout everything, Robert claims Princess Anne is "determined to serve her brother [King Charles] as he steadies the throne".

"But she has never wanted the spotlight; she has never needed it," the author of The Windsor Legacy continued. "She turns up, does the job, gets back in the car. She never shies away from her duties and responsibilities. Such work is what holds the institution together."

A lot of the time fans might not even be aware of certain engagements Anne is undertaking as many of them aren't highly photographed. Whilst some view the royals as glamorous celebrities, the Princess Royal is focused on "serving" like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and isn't interested in having the limelight for herself.

"It's not just about, 'Can I get a tick in the box for doing this?'" she told Vanity Fair in 2020. "No, it's about serving…. It comes from an example from both my parents' way of working and where they saw their role being."

Philip reportedly thought, "The attention is for your role, what you do, what you're supporting. It isn't for you as an individual. You are not a celebrity. You are representing the Royal Family. That's all." It's a sentiment Princess Anne seems to share.

What better person for King Charles to "rely on absolutely" than her? The siblings are closer in age than they are to Andrew and Edward and the Princess Royal took pride of place next to the King in his official group coronation portrait in 2023.

After everything that's happened concerning Andrew, the rest of the Royal Family have been united behind King Charles and many of them are expected to reunite on 6th June for Anne's son Peter Phillips' wedding to Harriet Sperling. The private ceremony will take place in Gloucestershire and reports have alleged that neither Andrew nor the Sussexes will be there.

With summer almost here it's a great opportunity to have a little seasonal style refresh and sunshine often has us reaching for bright colours and flowy silhouettes. The more fun or bold our outfits, the more it helps to have jewellery staples that go with everything and the Princess of Wales and her fellow royals have a favourite style.

She, Princess Anne and Queen Camilla all love pearl jewellery and specifically white pearls which are arguably the most versatile. The neutral colour means they go with everything and although pearls aren't a jewellery trend for 2026 I think that's partly why the royals wear them so much.

Kate, Anne and Camilla all have very classic styles, although they each put their own twist on things. Pearls are timeless and they're a lot more understated than diamonds.

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The sheen of a pearl adds glamour but not sparkle, which makes them a perfect choice for everyday. They complement casual jeans and blazer outfits as well as formalwear and you can go as subtle or statement as you like with the designs.

The Princess of Wales mostly wears more delicate items like her Monica Vinader Nura necklace with a single pearl drop on a golden chain. She also has several pairs of pearl drop earrings and when Kate wants to go bolder she reaches for the late Queen Elizabeth's Bahrain earrings or three strand necklace.

These only tend to get brought out for formal occasions like church services, receptions or Garden Parties like the one she attended earlier in May. But if you want jewellery that's instantly striking, then perhaps it's worth looking to Princess Anne or Queen Camilla for inspiration.

Both women either opt for very simple pearl drop earrings or they go all-out with chunky necklaces. The Princess Royal wore one of these chokers when she hosted the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party on 19th May and Her Majesty wore her four strand choker with the diamond clasp to events to mark Queen Elizabeth's centenary.

This is one of Camilla's most-worn pieces and if you're styling something this eye-catching, I'd recommend taking her approach and making the rest of your outfit minimal. Of course, most of the pearls worn by these senior royals are likely a very luxurious price-point, but that doesn't have to be the case if you're tempted to add some new pieces to your collection.

Pearl jewellery can be picked up very affordably and faux pearls can actually look very convincing too - sometimes more so than crystal alternatives for precious stones. Studs and dainty necklace are lovely for day-to-day, and drop earrings or multi-pearl necklaces would jazz up a date night outfit or summer wedding guest dress.

For a cohesive look, you can wear multiple pearl items together just like the Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and Queen Camilla often do with their earrings and necklaces.

As the daughter of one future monarch and the sister of another, I think we're all expecting Princess Charlotte to receive some kind of special title one day. Queen Elizabeth bestowed additional honours on all of her children and on Prince William, making him Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus in 2011.

King Charles is apparently keen for his granddaughter to take on Sophie's title one day, though royal author Robert Hardman predicts that Charlotte will receive another instead. Speaking recently to Hello!, he claimed, "I was told the King wanted to reserve the Duchess of Edinburgh role for her, which could happen."

"Edward, when he dies, will lose that title. It won't go to his son," he adds. "But I think she'll be the Princess Royal, as Anne is. There's no better model."

Traditionally, the Princess Royal title is held by the eldest daughter of the monarch and so it would make sense for Charlotte to become the next one when William is King. However, like Prince Edward's title, Princess Anne's remains hers for life.

This means that Charlotte can't be made Princess Royal as soon as her father ascends the throne if her great-aunt is still alive. He'd also have to officially bestow it upon her as it's not automatically inherited by one Princess to the next.

Princess Anne was made Princess Royal in 1987 when she was 36 and she's now amassed plenty of experience. As Robert mentioned, this makes her an excellent role model for Princess Charlotte to look up to and learn from ahead of potentially becoming Princess Royal herself.

There have only been seven Princess Royals so far and Anne is widely regarded as one of the most hard-working members of the Royal Family, praised for her no-nonsense attitude and commitment to The Firm. She and Charlotte have also grown up in similar positions as the sister of the future King, so Anne will appreciate what her great-niece is experiencing.

The late Queen Elizabeth seems to have taken an interest in George and Charlotte's dynamic and made a candid comment about it in 2018. After hearing that a younger sister looked after her big sister, she reportedly replied, "It's like that with Charlotte and George".

Princess Anne and King Charles are also said to have had this kind of relationship when they were children. Former royal nanny Mabel Anderson once claimed that Anne had a "much stronger, more extrovert personality" compared to her brother.

The two siblings are incredibly close and His Majesty set a new precedent when he became King and requested that Anne - and Edward - should become additional Counsellors of State. Usually it's only the first four royals in the line of succession and the monarch's spouse who have this role, but he clearly trusts and values Anne and Edward.

Perhaps Prince George could ensure Charlotte and Louis are his Counsellors of State in the future too. Princess Anne has shown how important a role the Princess Royal can have and she's also proving to be a role model to all the younger royals when it comes to dedication.

Many might dream about the chance of having something to laud over their mother-in-law, and Mike Tindall had that rare opportunity.

The former rugby champ revealed how he got to jokingly gloat after England’s 2011 victory over Scotland in the Six Nations tournament. Mike, who played for the England team for 11 years, helped claim victory over Scotland, the team Princess Anne has acted as patron of since 1986.

There’s such a thing as being gracious in victory as well as defeat, but Mike hilariously recalled how Princess Anne bluntly shot him down as he teasingly gloated over the victory, with her telling him, "Move on, Michael."

The rugby pro, who earned 75 caps for England over his 11-year career, told Closer Princess Anne wasn’t thrilled by his slow progress as he basked in England’s win after the Princess Royal had to present England’s winning team with the Calcutta Cup.

He said, "Most fellas want to get something over on their mother-in-law. It's quite niche if you're the captain of the England team and you play Scotland at Twickenham and, when you win, you're receiving the trophy from your mother-in-law”.

Mike went on to reveal that he shook 'every one' of the Rugby Football Union members’ hands and 'kept her waiting'.

"She was like, 'Move on, Michael'. I was like, 'Debrief over lunch tomorrow?' And she said, 'Move on, Michael'".

At this time, Mike wasn’t yet married to Anne’s daughter, Zara. The two would get married just a few months after Mike got to raise the Calcutta Cup, tying the knot on 30th July, 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh.

Rugby was actually what brought the couple together in the first place, too. The pair reportedly met for the very first time while both in Sydney in 2003 during the Rugby World Cup. They have since welcomed three children together - Mia, Lena and Lucas.

Anne’s withering response to Mike’s rugby victory is just one example of her famously dry wit, and her son-in-law has shared other amusing exchanges that capture the pair’s playful relationship.

While appearing on the 2022 series of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Mike recalled an embarrassing incident where he accidentally flashed his underwear to his mother-in-law.

He explained how, during a wild dance move at Zara’s 30th birthday in 2001, he accidentally tore his trousers to reveal underwear that said ‘Nibble my nuts’ - right in front of the Princess Royal.

Her response? A swift, "I’d rather not".

Princess Anne is a royal who doesn't mince her words and amongst all her legendary quips is the exceptionally *her* response to Prince William's birth in June 1982. The Princess Royal was undertaking an engagement in New Mexico and was seemingly unaware that she'd just become an aunt for the first time.

Asked for her reaction to Princess Diana having a son, Princess Anne replied, "I didn't know she had one". Another journalist then quizzed her on if she felt everyone was making "too much fuss" of the royal baby, to which the Princess said simply, "Yes".

Royal tours are no doubt exhausting and at the time it was suggested that Princess Anne was also feeling the pressure of stepping up her workload whilst King Charles and Diana focused on their family. If this was the first she'd heard of her nephew's birth that's also quite a way to find out, though she's famously no-nonsense anyway.

Whilst the Princess Royal was likely excited to meet baby Prince William, work was still there to be done and a flurry of questions about personal matters instead of her engagements were probably not what she'd hoped for. Her father Prince Philip was similarly convinced that working royals were there to represent The Firm and not to be viewed as celebrities.

In Philip: The Final Portrait Gyles Brandreth wrote that Philip thought, "If you believe the attention is for you personally, you're going to end up in trouble. The attention is for your role, what you do, what you're supporting. It isn't for you as an individual. You are not a celebrity. You are representing the Royal Family."

Princess Anne takes her work very seriously, though behind the scenes she enjoyed fun, sporty moments with her nephew as he grew up.

Prince William revealed this in a special episode of Mike Tindall's The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast that they used to race around at Balmoral and she was "quite quick". They are understood to have a close bond and the Princess Royal's focus on getting on with her job has been described as one of her "successes".

"One of her biggest successes is that she's never tried to overshadow Charles," royal expert Katie Nicholl said earlier this year. "She has always just been there by his side as a pillar of strength, and she's like a hybrid of Elizabeth and Prince Philip in being no-fuss, not overly emotional and just getting on with the job."

It's not just the questions surrounding Prince William's birth that prompted a "no-fuss" response, as there have been plenty more over the years.

This includes her reply to her would-be kidnapper's request to get out of her car in 1974 - "Not b***** likely!" - as well as her response to a line of questioning in her and her first husband Mark Phillips' engagement interview. Surprising as it sounds to us nowadays, the then-22-year-old was actually quizzed on whether she'd "make a good housewife" and if she could sew or put on a button.

"Yes, I'm not totally useless. I was quite well educated, one way or another," she replied curtly.

On Tuesday, 21st April, Princess Anne was given the honour of opening the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in central London on what would've been her mother's 100th birthday. This brand new green space is dedicated to the late monarch and has turned a disused plant nursery into a two-acre garden.

It was no doubt an emotional day for the Princess Royal, but the designers included a secret detail that brought a smile to her face. Hidden in amongst the greenery was a corgi tribute and according to reports, Anne "chuckled loudly" when she spotted it.

The garden’s blacksmiths, Ian Thackray and Ian Kebby, included this in the viewing platform alongside the original plans of decorating it with cast iron wildflowers. After spotting it and letting out a chuckle, they handed Princess Anne her very own cast iron rose - thought to represent the species aptly named the Princess Anne Rose.

Her Majesty famously loved Pembroke Welsh Corgis and she received her first one as an 18th birthday present in 1944. Named Susan, this canine companion would usher in a lifelong affinity for the dogs. Queen Elizabeth bred 10 generations of dogs from Susan, personally owning more than 30 of them in her lifetime.

They were all either purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgis or Dorgis - a cross between a corgi and a dachshund. On the day of her funeral in 2022 we saw her final two corgis, Muick and Sandy, standing outside Windsor Castle waiting for the cortege to go by.

The corgi tribute that made Princess Anne laugh wasn't the only more subtle tribute to Queen Elizabeth that day. Perhaps in a nod to her mother’s famous tradition of wearing eye-catching, bright colours, the Princess Royal wore an orange knee-length coat with gold brooch and a red, floral scarf.

During a speech to unveil the commemorative plaque, Princess Anne said, "Gardens are important for a number of reasons, in terms of historical perspective. When [the Queen] was growing up, the gardens were one aspect of life that changed dramatically during the war to become places where everybody grew things, and then the spaces afterwards became used for other things."

The gardens, open to the public on 27th April, have been designed with biodiversity as a main focus. Amongst the flora and fauna, there will be wildflower meadows, native hedgerows and trees planted to symbolise the strength of the monarchy.

There is also a straight path that runs through it, designed to represent her unwavering loyalty and service with each end offering a moment of quiet reflection. Visitors will also get to walk through a meandering path that circles the garden and reflects key aspects of her life and reign.

Queen Elizabeth would have turned 100 on 21st April 2026 and the date is not going to pass unmarked by the Royal Family. Her only daughter Princess Anne has now been confirmed as having a special role in the events and will be the one to open The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent's Park.

She'll do this on her mother's actual birthday date and the garden will be open to the public from 27th April. It's been designed to reintroduce more green space back into central London, turning a disused plant nursery into a two-acre garden.

Sharing more details about what to expect from the garden, the official website explains that there will be a straight path that runs through it. This is designed to represent the late Queen’s "unwavering loyalty and service with each end offering a moment of quiet reflection".

Visitors to the garden at Regent’s Park will be greeted by a large pond, complete with seating and a pergola at the south entrance. There will also be a central promenade bisected by a meandering path leading visitors through a series of beautiful landscapes.

The plants in the garden will be wildlife-friendly and have been chosen intentionally to provide a vibrant, year-round horticultural display. Each plant species has been picked as they have some sort of connection to Queen Elizabeth’s life too.

One example of this is the planting of a magnolia tree. A video from the Royal Parks account claims Her Majesty loved the species. Other flora to be found in the garden will include specially bred plants, such as the Narcissus Diamond Jubilee or Tulipa Royal Celebration.

As well as standing as a living, year-round tribute to Queen Elizabeth, the garden has been designed to bring a huge boost to biodiversity in the form of hedgerows, trees, meadows, wildlife-attracting plants and a new pond. Princess Anne opening the garden is just one of the many celebrations planned for the centenary.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by members of the Royal Family to see the designs for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. These are set to be built in St James's Park, not far from Buckingham Palace.

The memorial will be designed by Lord Norman Foster and will be created by a number of artists who'll all meet the royals as they discuss the plans. The Royal Family will also come together for a reception at Buckingham Palace and King Charles is set to deliver a personal address to the nation honouring his mother.

Carole Middleton making her Cheltenham Festival debut on 11th March was exciting enough, but we were then treated to a royal reunion that will surely make you smile. The Princess of Wales is famously not an avid racing fan, so Carole didn’t enjoy Ladies Day with her daughter. Instead, she was pictured having a brilliant time with Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Anne.

This new Cheltenham "Fab Four" aren’t a group you’d usually see together and so seeing their interactions was especially interesting - and a joy to witness. Carole was spotted arriving with the Tindalls and laughing and joking with Zara, before later joining them, Anne and Queen Camilla in the Royal Box to watch the races.

At one point, she even affectionately put her arm around Princess Anne - just a few weeks after her hilarious moment at the rugby involving a hug.

It’s clear that Carole Middleton was more than comfortable in this regal company and, more than that, enjoys a relationship with these royals that we’ve never really got to glimpse or appreciate before.

Carole and her husband Michael have understandably met King Charles and Queen Camilla plenty of times - they do after all share grandchildren. They couple have been at plenty of occasions where the whole family was there, from the coronation to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, and yet we never usually see them standing near Zara, Mike or Princess Anne.

The warmth between them at Cheltenham shows that the extended Royal Family have embraced Kate’s family with open arms and forged their own bonds with her parents. This was reportedly exactly what Prince William always wanted and had asked Queen Elizabeth to help with.

"The Queen knew how close not only Kate but William was to the Middletons and how important it was to keep them close and make them feel included," royal expert Katie Nicholl previously claimed. "William wanted them to be a part of the family and wanted the Queen to make them feel very welcomed."

The Prince of Wales is also said to have made a "direct request" for his wife’s family to be included in King Charles’s coronation. In his biography King Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story, Robert Hardman quoted a source, who alleged that "having all of them there was very important to him".

Carole, Michael and Kate’s siblings James and Pippa were all at the coronation ceremony and they are surely going to be included in even more events in the future when Prince William and Prince George become monarchs.

His hopes that they would be "part of the family" have paid off already by the looks of it and the rest of the royals have followed the late Queen’s example.

To have the kinds of bonds we saw between Carole, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike at Cheltenham, it’s likely they spend time together behind the scenes, perhaps at events hosted by the Waleses. Thankfully for fans there will also likely be a few more instances where at the very least Carole and Zara cross paths again in public.

Royal Ascot is coming up in June and Zara Tindall and Carole Middleton have both attended that regularly in the past. This could mean we get to see even more brilliant moments between the royal women that showcase their friendship.

This year's Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey was arguably the most high-profile gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. It's no surprise that all eyes were on the likes of Princess Anne, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales as they joined the King and Queen on 9th March.

Every detail of the annual occasion, which brings together representatives from the 56 nations that make up the Commonwealth, was keenly observed. This includes Kate's brilliant interaction with her aunt-in-law the Princess Royal.

The two royal women were seen and pictured greeting each other a little differently to usual. We tend to see royals saying hello with a kiss on the cheek, though Kate and Anne didn't take this approach at the Abbey.

We can't be sure of the exact reason why, but it's been widely speculated to just be a case of accessories getting in the way. It’s very possible that Kate and Anne simply couldn't kiss one another on the cheek without needing to crouch, contort and arrange themselves - and all of that taking place in the middle of Westminster Abbey isn’t the most dignified of looks!

Both Kate and the Princess Royal completed their chic looks with headpieces which could have made such a greeting impractical. The Princess of Wales's hat was particularly broad-brimmed and spectacular, so while Prince William was able to give his aunt a kiss on the cheek, when it came time for Kate to say hello, it's thought the hat problem became apparent.

The Princess Royal was said to have amusingly blown a kiss to Kate instead, and afterwards the Princess warmly placed a hand on Anne's arm as they enjoyed a laugh together. Kate wore a wide brimmed navy saucer hat from milliner Sean Barrett, which perfectly complemented her bespoke dress coat from Catherine Walker, now considered one of the Princess’s go-to designers.

Princess Anne went for an emerald green coat that many eagle-eyed fan accounts have pointed out she’s had for decades. This is very much in-keeping with her commitment to sustainable fashion and she accessorised with a matching green headpiece.

It was reported that the hats didn't just get in the way of Kate and Anne, but other members of the royal family kept the warm greetings to one kiss rather than the traditional two, to avoid knocking the hats. Kate and Queen Camilla also opted for a simpler greeting, smiling at one another and the Princess offering a curtsy.

Nowadays the Royal Family tend to only wear hats for formal occasions and they have been the cause of some mishaps in the past. At the 2023 Commonwealth Day service, Queen Camilla had to hold on to her hat as she arrived due to the windy weather and she's said to have chatted to Kate and William about the conditions once inside.

She's famously one of the hardest working senior royals, but Princess Anne is also well-known for her ability to make a witty one-liner too. Her relaxed, good-humoured nature was on full display on 7th March when she attended the Six Nations' rugby match between Scotland and France.

The Princess Royal's joke with Scottish rugby captain Sione Tuipulotu, poked fun at an encounter a few weeks prior. During the presentation of the Calcutta Cup (which is awarded to the winner of the England vs Scotland match), the rugby captain went in for a hug from the Princess Royal, who in turn went for a more formal handshake.

Awkward. Relatable. But who hasn’t had one of those moments before? Well, at the weekend’s game, the pair had the chance for a do-over, and really made the most of it.

When it came time for Princess Anne to present Tuipulotu with another trophy, the captain didn’t forget their last encounter. After shaking hands with Sir Timothy Laurence - Anne’s husband - the captain approached the Princess Royal and feigned a hugging gesture.

Not one to take herself too seriously, Princess Anne broke out into a huge smile as she too pretended to lean in for a hug. Laughing, the pair opted for a handshake and the Princess Royal clapped him on the back in good spirits.

The official social media account for Scottish Rugby - of which the Princess Royal is the official patron and has been since 1986 - shared the hilarious moment on X, and added a caption that said, "This close to a hug".

Princess Anne’s good humour might have been in part because the Scottish team continue to dominate in their latest campaign. Cheering the team on wearing a navy coat and one of her signature tartan scarves, the Princess Royal got to witness the team win the game 50-40 against defending champions France.

So far, Her Royal Highness has been in attendance at every one of Scotland’s games during this Six Nations tournament, and she even received a standing ovation of her own during the first match in Italy.

True to her humble nature, the Princess Royal looked bewildered by the rapturous reception she received.

Fun at the rugby to one side, Princess Anne has also received a special honour related to another of her lifelong passions recently. It was announced at the start of March that one of the horse races at the Cheltenham Festival will be renamed after the Princess Royal. The Amateur’s Gold Cup will be renamed The Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase.

A representative explained, "The Hunters’ Chase at The Festival is a contest which recognises and celebrates the very origins of our great sport.

We therefore feel it is very appropriate to stage it under the name of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal - an outstanding all-round equestrian who has excelled in a wide range of disciplines."

Princess Anne is known for her dedication, hard-work and, of course, her dry sense of humour, but she’s just received a huge honour in tribute to something entirely different. Alongside her role as a working royal, the King’s sister was also once a talented professional equestrian.

She might not ride competitively anymore, but she’s always in the crowd at racing events like Cheltenham Festival, which starts this year on 10th March. Now one of their high-profile events has been re-named in tribute to "outstanding" Anne and her skills.

The Amateur’s Gold Cup will henceforth be The Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase. It’ll take place on Gold Cup Day and the CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, Guy Lavender, has explained why they chose to honour Princess Anne.

"The Hunters’ Chase at The Festival is a contest which recognises and celebrates the very origins of our great sport," he’s quoted as saying. "We therefore feel it is very appropriate to stage it under the name of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal - an outstanding all-round equestrian who has excelled in a wide range of disciplines."

Princess Anne became the first British royal to compete in the Olympics in 1976 and whilst she sadly didn’t win a medal at Montreal’s games, she scooped up several accolades in other equestrian events. The Princess Royal won the 1971 Burghley Three-Day Event in the European Eventing Championships and also won individual and team silver medals at the championships in 1975 in Luhmühlen.

Reflecting upon her equestrian career in 2020, Anne revealed that whilst she knew her time was "limited", she felt sure that this was the path to pursue if she wanted a job outside being a royal.

"I thought if I was going to do anything outside of the Royal Family, horses was likely to be the best way of doing it," she said. "But then you have to find the right horse at the right time. The original horse I rode was bred as a polo pony and should never have been an event horse, but it worked, so that was very satisfying. But I always knew it was going to be limited time."

She passed her passion for horses down to her daughter Zara Tindall, who is a professional equestrian herself, and who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. In a stroke of good fortune, Zara was even presented with her medal by Princess Anne in her role as Honorary President of the British Olympic Association.

Cheltenham’s newly re-named Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase event will take place on Friday 13th March. Given it’s a tribute to her "outstanding" skills, I would definitely expect Princess Anne to be there to watch the event this year.

She and Zara typically attend most days of the festival anyway and the Princess Royal’s grandchildren might join her there one day, as they seemingly share her love of horses. Anne is a grandmother of six and her son Peter Phillips told the documentary, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, that his mum "loves" seeing the next generation riding.

"She loves seeing them ride, she loves having them round for Sunday lunches and taking them for walks. Doing all the things that we would do as kids," he declared.

Princess Anne quietly goes about her business, supporting hundreds of patronages and trekking up and down the country and across the world. She's regularly undertaken more engagements in a year than any other royal and yet so much of what the Princess Royal does doesn't end up splashed across the front pages.

Last year the 75-year-old said retiring wasn't an "option" and her dedication has been noted by royal correspondent and author Katie Nicholl. The expert has been quoted as saying categorically that "Anne is the backbone of the family".

Not only that, but she detailed what she sees as "one of her biggest successes" as Princess Royal. You might expect this to be her work ethic or no-nonsense approach, but Katie spoke of something more subtle - how Anne has never strived to take the spotlight.

More specifically, the royal correspondent admires how the Princess hasn't overshadowed her brother, King Charles. Instead, she's been his constant supporter.

"One of her biggest successes is that she's never tried to overshadow Charles," Katie said. "She has always just been there by his side as a pillar of strength, and she's like a hybrid of Elizabeth and Prince Philip in being no-fuss, not overly emotional and just getting on with the job."

Brother and sister have been close all their lives, but King Charles was always higher in the royal line of succession and Princess Anne has never been interested in the glamorous press-oriented side of royal life. Her duty is to support the monarchy and His Majesty's trust in her as his "pillar of strength" couldn't be clearer.

One of his first major acts as King was to request a change in legislation to include Princess Anne and Prince Edward as people who could be called upon to act as Counsellors of State. Until then, it was only the monarch's spouse and the first four royals in line to the throne over the age of 21 who could act on his behalf if he was abroad or unwell.

Since then, she's continued to be a consistent royal presence, including throughout the challenging past few years following King Charles and the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnoses.

Whilst Kate confirmed she was in remission in 2025, His Majesty shared a health update in December, saying that "thanks to early diagnosis, effective interventions and adherence to 'doctors' orders', [his] own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year."

Princess Anne's position as "backbone" of the Royal Family has likely never been so important or appreciated, both personally and professionally by the King. It's perhaps no surprise either that Katie views her approach as a mixture of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, as Anne has previously revealed she follows their example.

"It's not just about, 'Can I get a tick in the box for doing this?' No, it's about serving…. It comes from an example from both my parents' way of working and where they saw their role being. I mean, my father served. It was a more direct form of service, I suppose you could argue," she said. "And the Queen's has been a lifelong service in a slightly different way."

Princess Anne has always had her own distinct style, championing the best British clothing brands and heritage fabrics. If it’s made in the UK, even better, and her autumn/winter outfits are unapologetically traditional and warm. We would expect nothing else from the woman who partly inspired Claudia Winkleman’s outfits on The Traitors and Anne recently stepped out in a tweed coat that caught my eye.

Although I can’t be sure, it looked a lot like one of the Alan Paine Combrook coats and knowing the Princess Royal she’s probably had this piece in her collection for quite some time. She wore it for a visit to the British Racing School and Newmarket Pony Academy on 22nd October.

Shop Checked Coats

Pictures were shared by BRS on social media and they gave a glimpse at this piece. Falling somewhere between knee-length and pea coat, it had a high collar and buttons on the front.

On a really cold day Princess Anne could've fastened it right up to the top to make it funnel neck. If it is an Alan Paine design then the material will likely have been the same specially woven wool tweed used on the other Combrook coats, which is waterproof and breathable.

Even if this isn’t by the brand, tweed is naturally water resistant and warm which makes it a warm choice. The Princess Royal’s coat was a blend of muted green-grey tones with burgundy in the pattern that tied in with her deep red roll neck jumper.

Checked coats might not be trending like suede jackets and aviators, but they’re a timeless option which brings some extra detail and colour to an outfit. Paired with a simple outfit like jeans and a jumper, a checked coat brings a traditional edge too.

She layered hers over a jumper and red pencil skirt with equestrian knee high boots. This is a classic combination for the King’s sister when she's at an engagement, although she also loves pairing tweed outerwear with straight leg trousers.

If you don’t want to go for neutral tones with a checked coat, I’d advise following her example and coordinating your clothes with the colours in the pattern.

Princess Anne does this a lot with her collection of checked and/or tweed coats and it gives your ensemble a cohesive, put-together feel. For her, functionality is key though. In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2020 she spoke about Harris Tweed, remarking, it "looks exactly the same at the end of the day as it did at the beginning. Brilliant."

The practical nature of tweed was probably more of a factor for her on this chilly autumn day as she spoke with Foundation Course students. She also met key members of the Newmarket Pony Academy as well as pupils from The Pines Primary School in Bury St Edwards who were part of the primary schools programme which gives children aged 8-14 access to horses.

As a retired professional equestrian herself, Anne has maintained a huge love for and interest in horses and looked right at home as she learnt more about how they can be a positive influence on the wellbeing and confidence of children.

Decked out in a classic tweed suit and skirt, Princess Anne was on hand to unveil a special new portrait of her brother, King Charles, that will be displayed at the Scottish Parliament. The new picture shows the His Majesty in the Sunken Garden in the grounds of Balmoral Castle.

It was taken back in 2024 by Millie Pilkington, a photographer who has often been chosen by the royals to commemorate important milestones. She's previously taken an anniversary portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla, released in 2024, as well as wedding portraits of the Prince and Princess of Wales and a touching photo of Prince William with his three children for Father’s Day in 2024.

The kilt His Majesty is wearing in the picture is King Charles III tartan and he holds a handcrafted stick, a gift from the Mey Highland Games. But there's another detail that caught fans' attention pretty quickly.

After the Princess Royal officially unveiled the portrait, people took to social media to speculate that King Charles might have made a massive change to his personal style. While not confirmed, it's been theorised that the King appears to not be wearing the Prince of Wales signet ring on his pinky finger like he has done for decades.

This signet is believed to have been passed down to him by his uncle, Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor, who was at one time the Prince of Wales too. Edward ascended the throne and then famously abdicated in 1936 before marrying Wallis Simpson.

Some commenters online have suggested that the King’s new signet ring has swapped the Prince of Wales emblem for one that looks similar to a ring worn by his late father, Prince Philip.

"We might never know for sure whether King Charles has swapped out his Prince of Wales pinky ring for another one - or at least not until a close-up photo gives us a better glimpse of the details," says woman&home's Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock. "However, if he has changed up his ring, it would make sense given he's no longer Prince of Wales. Ultimately, it wouldn't really matter either way, but he's passed the mantel to Prince William and this could reflect it."

Touchingly, King Charles’s portrait now sits alongside the Three Honours sculpture presented to the Parliament by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty gifted the sculptures to the Parliament when the building opened in 2004.

"It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Scottish Parliament, to unveil this portrait of His Majesty The King," Alison Johnstone, the presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, said of the portrait’s unveiling.

"The portrait will hang in the Parliament’s Main Hall, greeting the many thousands of visitors who come through our doors every year. It’s a striking image which is a reminder of His Majesty’s love of Scotland and the affectionate connection he has with the country and its people," she added.

King Charles's love of Scotland has long been known, with he and Queen Camilla even choosing to spend their honeymoon at Birkhall, their home on the Balmoral Estate.

The Princess Royal recently paid her first visit to the Naval Children’s Charity (NCC) since becoming Patron earlier this year to mark its 200^th anniversary. This was likely a very special engagement for Princess Anne, who took over the role from her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen had been Patron for 70 years and family came up as a talking point during Princess Anne's time there. She doesn't often share anecdotes about her family, but made an exception to give an insight into one of her grandchildren's favorite hobbies.

The Princess Royal was presented with a children’s apron as a gift. She joked, "I don’t think that’s going to fit me!" before adding, "It might fit my grandchildren - they all cook, actually", as per Hello!.

"Unlike the Prince and Princess of Wales who regularly chat about their kids at engagements, this new insight is a rare thing to hear from Princess Anne," says woman&home's Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock. "That's what makes it especially heart-warming."

She adds, "It's lovely that her grandchildren are growing up learning how to cook and this is something they have in common with the Wales kids. George, Charlotte and Louis reportedly make cheesy pasta for Kate and who knows what culinary delights Anne's grandkids could be learning to whip up for her".

Princess Anne has five grandchildren - Savannah and Isla Phillips via her son Peter Phillips and Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall via her daughter Zara Tindall. They all live very close to the Princess's Gatcombe Park home.

Zara and Mike Tindall are known to live on a farm on the Gatcombe Park estate whilst reports have suggested that Peter previously resided on the estate too. Meanwhile, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence live in the main building.

Anne is known to be a hands-on grandmother. In Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, a 2020 documentary that aired on ITV in the UK, Peter spoke about what his mom is like as a grandmother - and how the kids are carrying on the royal tradition of horse riding.

He shared, "She loves seeing them ride, she loves having them round for Sunday lunches and taking them for walks. Doing all the things that we would do as kids."

In the documentary, Zara added that living on Gatcombe Park’s Aston Farm makes it easy for her and Mike to leave the kids with their grandmother. She joked, "We quite like leaving them on Sundays. We'll say, 'We'll pick them up later, bye.'"

As well as sharing this sweet detail about her grandchildren's other go-to hobby during her visit to The Naval Children's Charity, she spoke about families more generally. The Princess talked about boarding schools, offering her take that they help give children "stability".

"This is about families of people who serve and that is a difficult relationship sometimes, but it needs to be remembered and is at the forefront of what you do," she declared in a personal speech to staff, volunteers and naval families, as per Hello!. "When you're as scattered as the Naval families are, that can be a real challenge in a way that nobody else quite has. Thank you for maintaining that link."

As the President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association for more than 40 years, it’s not unusual for Princess Anne to visit a variety of businesses and factories. Even so, one of her recent outings has come as quite a surprise to fans.

The Princess Royal paid a visit to Edge o’ Beyond, a luxury lingerie brand based in South Wales, where she gamely posed in front of walls of lingerie and unveiled a plaque for the business. During her visit, Princess Anne put her famed practical nature to good use, reportedly diving straight in offering solutions to a problem regarding underwiring on the bras.

She also listened to conversations about censorship on the female body and her open-mindedness was described as "very cool" and "very feminist" by the founder of the company, as per The Telegraph.

Naomi De Haan reportedly hailed Princess Anne as being "very cool, very interested in everything", adding that she "came across as very feminist".

She also shared how the King's sister came up with suggestions for finding underwire strong enough for bras in larger sizes. The practical Princess mentioned that she recently visited a mattress firm that makes its own steel springs, and suggested the lingerie company get in touch with them about crafting their own wire support.

Addressing other conversations that came up, the Princess Royal is said to have heard about how corsets are made now that whale bone isn’t used and problems with advertising lingerie on social media due to the "censorship of the female body".

Revealing that the visit ended with a trip to the factory’s cafeteria, Naomi shared that they weren’t expecting the Princess Royal to spend long there, but she stepped in to talk to staff and unveiled a plaque on a wall surrounded by different lingerie sets.

As reported by The Telegraph, the founder later said of the visit, "It was an immense honor to welcome Her Royal Highness to our atelier. Her deep understanding of the fashion and textile industry and her genuine curiosity were inspiring for our whole team."

"This visit is recognition of the exceptional skills of our technicians and a celebration of keeping British lingerie craftsmanship alive," Naomi added.

After the brand shared photos of the visit on their social media, fans were quick to praise the Princess Royal for "supporting women and sexy underwear".

One fan described the photo of Princess Anne smiling in front of different lingerie pieces as "iconic" and another added it was the "best picture of Princess Anne of all time". She certainly didn't seem at all phased!

Choosing the perfect name for a baby can be a challenge for anyone and for the Royal Family, there's the added pressure of knowing that fans around the world have been making predictions for months. They tend to stick with very traditional British names and although Princess Anne's moniker is certainly that, in one way it was reportedly still a surprising choice from Queen Elizabeth.

In his book, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother: The Official Biography, royal author William Shawcross reportedly claimed that there was a letter written by the Queen Mother - who at the time was known as the Duchess of York - to her mother-in-law Queen Mary following the birth of her second daughter on August 21, 1930.

Writing to her about her daughter, the Queen Mother allegedly wrote, "I am very anxious to call her Ann Margaret, as I think that Ann of York sounds pretty, and Elizabeth and Ann go so well together. I wonder what you think?"

She is said to have added, "Lots of people have suggested Margaret, but it has no family links really on either side, and besides she will always be getting mixed up with Margaret the nurserymaid."

However, Queen Mary, along with King George V, also supposedly wished for their new granddaughter to be named Margaret. This is said to have been as a nod to Margaret of Scotland.

Ultimately, the new royal baby was christened Princess Margaret Rose on October 30, 1930 at Buckingham Palace. When Margaret's sister Queen Elizabeth welcomed her own daughter in August 1950, though, she used Anne for her.

Princess Anne was born at Clarence House on August 15, 1950. While her first name might have been inspired by her grandparents, her middle names also honored them more directly. The Princess Royal's full name is Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise.

"Elizabeth is a very popular middle name for younger members of the Royal Family," says woman&home's Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock. "Princess Charlotte has it as a middle name, and so do Sienna and Athena Mapelli Mozzi and Lena Tindall. For all of them, their middle name can be seen as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth."

She adds, "It's a lovely nod to a beloved family member and for Princess Anne, it was not just linked to her mother, but her grandmother. The Queen Mother was also called Elizabeth and Anne's other names were just as meaningful."

Alice was the name of Princess Anne's paternal grandmother, Prince Philip’s mom, Princess Alice of Battenberg. Whilst Louise is the feminine form of Louis, which could have been a subtle tribute to Philip's uncle Louis, Lord Mountbatten.

While Princess Anne was the first royal in quite some time to use this particular first name, it has quite the pedigree within British history. Queen Anne was a reigning Queen who also became the first Queen of Great Britain and Anne Boleyn is one of the most famous English Queen Consorts.

While it might have fallen out of favor somewhat before the arrival of the Princess Royal in 1950, it’s had a resurgence since. Princess Anne’s two children - Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips - have used it as a middle name for two of their own kids.

Like any family, the royals have some pretty unique nicknames for each other, from the Princess of Wales calling Prince Louis ‘Lou-Bugs’ to Prince Philip allegedly calling Queen Elizabeth ‘Cabbage’ as a term of endearment. Not all of them are publicly-known, but Princess Anne’s nickname for King Charles was revealed in 2023.

Out of all Queen Elizabeth’s children, these two are the closest in age and the Princess Royal is a much-respected source of support for her older brother. Their bond and sense of humour comes through in so many subtle moments - and Anne’s remark after the coronation was one of them.

As seen in the Charles III: The Coronation Year documentary, Princess Anne reportedly declared, "Hello, Old Bean", when she saw King Charles at Buckingham Palace after his coronation.

Whilst fans might never have expected to hear the newly-crowned monarch being addressed in this way, King Charles didn’t stand on ceremony and instead apparently burst out laughing. He then greeted his younger sister by kissing her hand.

If anything was going to remind us that the Royal Family is, after all, a family, this was it. King Charles’s nickname from Anne highlights how close they are as siblings, and pulls back the curtain of royal formality to give a glimpse at how they must be behind closed doors.

In June last year, The Telegraph’s Royal Editor, Hannah Furniss spoke about this "lovely moment" on their Royal Insight YouTube series. She described them as having a "very warm relationship", adding that the Princess is a key part of her brother’s inner circle.

"She is probably in a better position than anyone to give him advice, give him a bit of sympathy when he needs it, give him a bit of a pep talk," Hannah alleged. "She understands how the Royal Family works and she has a bit of an eye to the past and to the future."

In 2022 King Charles requested for Princess Anne - and their youngest brother Prince Edward - to become additional Counsellors of State alongside Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice. They have the power to carry out most of the Sovereign’s official duties if he’s temporarily not able to, for example if he’s ill short-term or abroad.

This is a huge honour for Princess Anne and also took pride of place beside him in Hugo Burnand’s group coronation portrait. The Princess and her beloved "Old Bean" King Charles spend a lot of time together and share memories of growing up during some of the Queen’s busiest years.

Speaking previously to OK!, Princess Margaret’s former Lady-in-Waiting, Lady Anne Glenconner, claimed, "Charles and Princess Anne were so small when she became Queen and she just had so much to do. In those days, it took ages to get to countries so she didn’t have a great deal of time to be with her older two."

"When she was with them she was absolutely marvellous, but the Queen Mother looked after them a great deal," Lady Glenconner went on to allege. "When she had Andrew and Edward she was able to spend much more time with them. I remember she wrote once or twice saying that it was so lovely to have the chance to really be with her young boys, because with the other two she had to be away so much."

Princess Anne celebrated a milestone birthday on August 15, with the Princess Royal turning 75. To mark the occasion, a new photo taken by John Swannell was shared on the official Royal Family social media accounts.

It was a touching nod to tradition, as John Swannell had previously been chosen to take the Princess’s 40th, 50th, and 60th birthday portraits.

In the photo, Anne is wearing a red, belted shirt dress with pearl jewellery as she poses in the garden of her Gatcombe Park home in Gloucestershire.

That wasn’t the only post shared in honour of the Princess Royal. Posting to the Royal Family’s Instagram account on Thursday evening, a collection of vignettes and private family moments was shared with fans.

The caption for the heart-warming post read, “Happy memories ahead of The Princess’s 75th birthday tomorrow…”

The footage - which one fan described as “just gorgeous” in the comments - included tender moments of a young Queen Elizabeth II holding Princess Anne as a baby while Prince Philip carries a young King Charles over to the pair.

Anne’s grandparents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, are also seen doting over their family in the footage.

Later in the clips, there’s cute moments of Anne as a toddler walking with her brother on board a ship, playing around in the gardens with her father and some of their dogs, and fostering her well-known love for horses from a very early age.

In July of 2025, as an early celebration of the milestone birthday, the Royal Mint unveiled the first-ever official UK coin to honour Princess Anne, “in recognition of her unwavering commitment to the Crown.”

In keeping with her hard-working reputation, the Princess decided against any large-scale parties or public commemorations. Instead, in June, she hosted more than 100 of her charities at Buckingham Palace.

This is in keeping with one of the Princess's alleged 'birthday rules' which reportedly sees her only celebrate those that end in a zero and not in a five.

Per reports, she’ll spend this birthday sailing around the Western Isles of Scotland with her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.

The Princess Royal already made it clear earlier this year that she was taking a very low-key approach to turning 75. Earlier in the summer she hosted over 100 of the charities she supports for a Charities Forum instead of having a birthday party.

She’s reportedly spending her big day on 15th August sailing around the Scottish coast with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, which is exactly how she marked her 70th too. Princess Anne is an experienced sailor and as she celebrates, I found myself looking back at one of her earlier outings with Prince Philip in 1970.

Dressed in nautical stripes and looking relaxed - without her signature beehive updo - the Princess sailed to the Isle of Wight. This might have happened 55 years ago, but this outfit defies the decades and is something many people would wear to this day.

Recreate Princess Anne's Outfit

Princess Anne wore a red and white striped lightweight knit with a classic crew neckline and long sleeves. Breton stripes have a nautical feel to them and a lot of us will already have at least one striped item in our summer capsule wardrobe, though it could be a shirt.

A jumper makes a cosy alternative as summer gives way to autumn and even on sunny days it’s handy to have one to drape around your shoulders or pop on if it gets breezy. Blue and white and black and white are popular colour combos, but Anne’s red and white knit is a little different.

The neutral hue mellowed the boldness of the cherry red and primary colours suit people with winter colouring in particular, though they can work for everyone. The Princess Royal wore her top with crisp white trousers on her sailing trip and although you can’t tell what the exact silhouette was from pictures, we’d hazard a guess at straight-leg.

Cigarette-style trousers are smart without being too corporate for everyday wear and Princess Anne was definitely dressed in quite a relaxed way on board the boat. Over the decades she’s proved that she loves a pop of colour just like Queen Elizabeth before her.

However, outside of royal engagements or events the Princess Royal does tend to dress more simply and neutrally. Keeping to only a few shades within an outfit is a fast-track to a cohesive, put-together look as it makes everything seem very considered and sleek.

Without seeing the shoes, I’d imagine she went for something practical and flat like a loafer. To give this look a 2025 twist I’d wear a striped top and white trousers with my best white trainers or even espadrille wedges, and a stylish sun hat. However, this is definitely not necessary as an update, given how timeless Anne’s 1970 ensemble was.

This is probably no accident either, as the King’s sister previously told Australian Woman’s Weekly that she and Queen Elizabeth spoke about the distinction between fashion and style.

"The Queen and I had a discussion the other day about the difference between fashion and style and I think maybe that’s relevant in the sense that she didn’t do fashion but she certainly does style, and style tends to last longer," she said, as per The Telegraph.

Princess Anne re-wears so many pieces she’s had for years and doesn’t tend to embrace specific trends either. It’s no wonder that her look from 55 years ago is still such a winner and who knows if she’ll wear something similar for her 75th birthday sailing trip.

Princess Anne has delivered so many memorable lines in her life but it doesn’t come much more no-nonsense than when she was at the centre of a terrifying kidnap plot in 1974. When she’s on royal duties Princess Anne has security and given the expertise of the royal protection officers, it’s astonishing how close she came to being abducted on her way home to Buckingham Palace from a charity event.

After her protection officer, driver and a journalist passing by who’d come to their aid were all wounded by Ian Ball, her would-be-kidnapper, Princess Anne kept cool, calm and collected. She might have only been 23 years old at the time, but she refused point blank to go with Ball.

When he apparently told her to get out of the car and that he wanted £2 million in ransom money, she responded, "Not b***** likely! And I haven’t got £2 million."

Princess Anne knew that getting out of the car wasn’t a clever move and her iconic remark showcased both her nerves of steel and her determination. As per British Vogue, the King’s sister later recalled how she’d started off being "scrupulously polite" to Ball.

In an interview with the late Michael Parkinson in 1980, she recalled that she’d thought "it was silly to be too rude at that stage". She later re-assessed this view when he split the back of her dress, which led to her "[losing] her rag".

This wasn’t the only time the Princess has reflected upon the kidnapping attempt and in 2020 she explained in the documentary, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, that her equestrian skills helped her to react so quickly to the events unfolding around her.

"One thing about horses and sport is you have to prepare for the unexpected and you’ve got to think through the problems that are likely to occur. I suppose that was the discipline which to some extent coloured my thought process," she declared.

Ball was arrested at the scene by police and spent decades in Broadmoor Psychiatric Hospital, though earlier this month the Daily Mail reported he had been released in 2019. He is said to be asserting his innocence.

"I'm an innocent, sane man because I had good reason to believe the gunpowder had been taken out of the bullets and another girl had been substituted for Princess Anne," he claimed.

Princess Anne’s response when facing such an ordeal is nonetheless incredibly admirable - and very *her*. She’s had so many memorable quips over the years, including her comment that although she’s aware what Twitter (now known as X) is "I wouldn’t go anywhere near it if you paid me, frankly."

On Anne: The Princess Royal at 70 she also shared her astonishment at how it could possibly have taken The Crown’s hair department so long to create her signature updo on actor Erin Doherty.

"Actually I read an article the other day - I don't watch Netflix and The Crown - but the actress was talking about how long it took them to do her hair like I did, and I’m thinking, ‘How could it possibly take that long?’ I mean, it takes me 10 or 15 minutes,” she said.

For many people a birthday - especially a major birthday - is a cause for celebration. However, whilst the date no doubt won't go unmarked entirely, Princess Anne apparently has a strict rule which means a big party probably isn't on the cards when she turns 75 on August 15.

Opening up on the podcast, Royals with Roya and Kate, Roya Nikkah, The Sunday Times's Royal Editor, suggested that the Princess Royal reportedly follows something of a specific rule when it comes to birthday celebrations.

Explaining this rule, the royal expert claimed, "Anne's policy is 'I will do things for my birthdays that have a zero, but I won't do things for my birthdays that have a five.'"

The royal expert even alleged the Princess Royal has apparently "cancelled meetings" to avoid having to discuss celebrations for her upcoming birthday. Whether or not this particular rumour is true, woman&home's Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock, isn't expecting there to be much fanfare from the royal on August 15.

"Objectively 75 is a milestone birthday, but Princess Anne already made it clear earlier this year that she didn't want a lot of public fuss or an official party," she says. "Instead, she hosted a dinner at Buckingham Palace in June for hundreds of guests from the charities she supports."

Emma continues, "This move is quintessential Princess Anne. It reflects her strong work ethic and focus on raising awareness for causes close to her heart. Her birthday doesn't change this in the slightest, as in her mind, it's never been about her."

The Royal Mint has recently released a coin celebrating the Princess Royal and in Emma's view, it is likely that the Royal Family will mark the Princess's birthday with at least a social media post with a message.

Looking back at Princess Anne’s other birthdays over the years, it seems she often does stick to the rule Roya described. Her celebrations tend to be low-key or private and her more large-scale events have been at the start of a new decade.

To mark her 40^th, 50^th, 60^th and 70^th birthdays, photographer John Swannell was commissioned to take official portraits which were released publicly. The 70th birthday snaps in 2020 were taken at Gatcombe Park where Princess Anne lives.

These pictures were all in honor of birthdays with a zero and for her 50^th birthday in 2000, the Princess Royal enjoyed a lavish dinner at Windsor Castle hosted by Queen Elizabeth a few months later in November.

For the glamorous soiree, Princess Anne wore her stunning sapphire brooch, complete with 12 diamonds and a large faceted sapphire in the center that once belonged to Queen Victoria.

At the event, she famously gave a toast where she thanked her parents, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, for her "accident of birth", playfully poking fun at her senior royal status.

While it seems that Roya might be correct about the Princess Royal’s birthday rule, one thing that might be more debatable is the suggestion that Princess Anne has a timeline in mind for stepping back from royal duties.

On her podcast, Roya said that the Princess Royal has allegedly informed those closest to her when they can expect her to start scaling back her workload.

The Royal Editor said, "I was told that she's told her team, 'I'm going to start winding down a little bit at 80 in five years' time, and then I want to step back completely at 90.'"

Interestingly, this timeline is similar to that of Anne’s father, Prince Philip, who ultimately stepped back from public life completely at 96 years old.

We all have those items we rarely leave home without and the Princess Royal is no exception. However her handbag essential is a lot more out-there than, for example, Kate’s go-to Clarins lip balm, or a packet of tissues. When she’s undertaking royal engagements, Princess Anne is said to "always" carry a specific fruit in her bag.

As reported by Daily Mail, in royal author Robert Hardman’s bestselling biography, Queen Of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II, Zara Tindall allegedly revealed that her mother "always has a kiwi fruit" with her. The book went on to claim that Princess Anne apparently often prefers to pull out a kiwi from her bag and eat that rather than having lunch.

As handbag must-haves go, it doesn’t come much more unusual than that. It also raises the question of whether she carries a spoon with her or eats it skin-and-all, though sadly that wasn’t detailed by Robert. Either way, Princess Anne’s snack of choice is a very clever one.

Kiwis are incredibly high in Vitamins C and K and are also a great option if you want to get more fibre in your diet and more antioxidants. They’re also easier for the King’s sister to carry around in her favourite handbags without them spilling juice everywhere like berries might.

Princess Anne, who is about to celebrate her 75th birthday on 15th August, has clearly found this snack works for her and her undeniably busy schedule. She’s consistently found to be one of the hardest-working royals based on her number of engagements and apparently "never stops for refreshments" during the day until her duties are over.

This was revealed to Vanity Fair by an aide and the senior royal herself remarked, "I think during the day, eating’s not really an issue". Princess Anne isn’t the only one who prefers not to take lunch breaks, as her elder brother reportedly prefers to skip this meal too.

It’s been suggested that King Charles has broken this life-long habit since he was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and now eats half an avocado - a healthy, light option like Anne’s kiwi fruit. The Princess’s favourite game recipe is a lot richer, though, and isn’t something you’d eat everyday.

Back in 2020 she guest edited an issue of Country Life in honour of her 70th birthday and revealed that she loves devilled pheasant. You’re probably not alone if you’ve never even heard of this dish, let alone tried it.

Yet it’s quite simple to make if you like the taste of game birds, as John Williams, Executive Chef at The Ritz Hotel explained to the magazine after being asked to recreate it.

"Basically, a couple of whole pheasants are poached, then taken off the bone, shredded and kept warm in the poaching juices," he said. "You just add freshly whipped cream, left in the fridge for an hour to stiffen, mixed with a good amount of [Sharwood’s] Green Label mango chutney."

Unfortunately, pheasant season for this year isn’t until October, so Princess Anne won’t be tucking into this particular delicacy on her 75th birthday. She and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence are reportedly going to be sailing in Scotland on her big day before joining the King and Queen at Balmoral Castle.

It might be almost impossible to imagine now, what with Princess Anne being such a popular and respected royal figure, but her first official visit to the United States apparently didn't go as swimmingly as she could've hoped.

Princess Anne joined her brother, King Charles, for a two-day visit to Washington D.C in 1970. They were branching out on their own after joining their parents, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, on a trip to Canada beforehand.

After an official welcome to the White House by then-President Richard Nixon, the royal siblings had quite the packed itinerary - but the press focused on Anne’s facial expressions, going as far as to allegedly dub her "Princess Sourpuss”, per the Express, for not smiling more.

According to the publication, royal author Penny Junor had also commented on the visit in 2021, suggesting the Princess Royal was considered "sulky" and alleging that she snappily told a journalist, "I don’t give interviews."

Revisiting the ill-fated trip for the Channel 5 documentary, Princess Anne: A Quite Remarkable Royal, journalist Victoria Murphy said, "This trip was actually quite challenging because she got some negative press as a result of this trip from the US media. They were quite quick to pick up on the fact that she wasn’t smiling very often."

"They thought that she didn’t look like she was enjoying herself as much as they thought she might," she added.

In 1970, Princess Anne was only nineteen years old and was relatively new to taking on her own royal duties. This could have contributed to the Princess Royal's perceived "sulky" behavior, not to mention the fact the brother-and-sister duo had a lot to do during their short visit.

During their summer trip, King Charles and Princess Anne packed in visits to the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon and the Smithsonian Institution’s Space Museum, as well as a barbeque at Camp David.

There was also a baseball game and the visit culminated with a grand White House Dinner and Dance attended by 700 people, hosted in honor of the royals by the President and Vice President’s children, Julie Nixon, Tricia Nixon and David Eisenhower.

"This was one visit early on in Princess Anne's royal career and she's now got thousands of engagements under her belt," says woman&home's Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock. "For her, it's always been about the job and the causes she's raising awareness for, not the 'glamour' of being royal, as many perceive it."

She adds, "I can imagine that having the scrutiny of the press on her, criticising her appearance, was a challenge as it would be for anyone. She's certainly put this visit behind her, earning the admiration of so many ever since."

While Princess Anne might not have won over the press during this visit, President Nixon was much more taken by the royals.

He said of the visit, "The fact that the visit is a personal visit and not an official visit is an indication of the closeness between the United States and Great Britain and the British Commonwealth, and also between the family in this house and the family in London."

As some who famously said there’s no such thing as "bad weather, only inappropriate clothing", should we really be surprised that the Princess Royal’s go-to style tends to favour practicality? She’s totally at home in her best wellies, waxed jackets and, of course, her Adidas sunglasses.

When she’s out and about at engagements Princess Anne favours the best British clothing brands and steers clear of trends and certain silhouettes. So her foray into wrap dresses marked a rather big change for her when she attended the Household Division Musical Spectacular event at Horse Guards Parade on 16th July.

For a night celebrating the musical talent of the British Army, the King’s sister wore a long-sleeved midnight blue wrap dress with a matching clutch, heels and gloves. Whilst the colour is very much in the Royal Family’s comfort zone, this design isn’t so much for her.

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As with most wrap dresses, the neckline was a sweeping V-shape which the Princess highlighted with her choice of necklace - a magnificent three-string pearl piece. The Princess Royal tends to gravitate towards higher necklines, particularly those with collars.

When she does wear more scoop-neck dresses, Princess Anne often wears them with a coat over the top to create a modest, layered look. Coat dresses also feature heavily in her wardrobe and she wouldn’t be without them in her summer capsule wardrobe, even though you might think of them as more autumnal or wintery.

Although she’s partial to a pattern, the designs worn by the Princess Royal are usually quite straight-forward and unfussy. So the addition of the feminine flounce running up the front of this midnight blue wrap dress is yet another reason why it stands out to me.

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The wrap bodice looks to be sewn in rather than being secured at the side, which ensured that she didn’t have to worry about it coming undone during the Musical Spectacular. If the self-tie design of wrap dresses puts you off them, then I’d suggest looking for something like Princess Anne’s where it has the appearance of a wrap but is fixed in place.

If you look closely at the senior royal’s dress you will also be able to make out the paisley pattern running through the jacquard-esque fabric. There’s a sheen to it and this again is something quite different for the King’s sister and is very far removed from the tweed and wool fabrics she loves.

During her interview with Vanity Fair in 2020 she admitted having a weakness for Harris Tweed which she loves because “it looks exactly the same at the end of the day as it did at the beginning”.

This probably wouldn’t be the case with this elegant wrap dress but she eased into this departure from her usual style by picking classic *her* accessories.

Princess Anne wore the dress with deep blue low court shoes and carried a roomy clutch. Her blue gloves won’t be for everyone, though she frequently wears gloves to engagements all year round. Coordination is a key part of her approach to fashion and that’s going nowhere.

A wrap frock like hers would easily work as a wedding guest dress and I’d advise either taking the matching route like Anne, or else staying very neutral with the rest of your look. To jazz things up slightly, choose metallic accessories which can also work with any outfit shade.

Some people have signature styles that evolve throughout their lives and others - like Princess Anne - find what works for them early on and stick with that. The King’s sister has never been tempted to embrace trends, preferring to champion the best British clothing brands, timeless designs and durable fabrics.

This extends to her accessories and the Princess Royal’s snazzy sunglasses have been a staple in her collection for decades at this point. Even when it’s not what many of us would consider "sunny" she brings them out and she just wore them again in Edinburgh.

Princess Anne was there to watch The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo rehearsal in her role as Patron of the Tattoo. The 75th anniversary show kicks off on 1st August and in pictures shared from the day on Instagram, she donned her white Adidas wraparound shades.

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Striking, sporty and unapologetically practical, these sunnies have white frames and tinted lenses. In 2012 the Princess was spotted wearing her Adidas Team GB shades and it seems to be the same ones - or a very similar style - to the sunglasses she first started wearing in the early 2000s and then again for ascot, engagements and the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

We all have sunglasses we reach for time and time again in our summer capsule wardrobe and these are very much hers. Although woman&home’s Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr believes this wraparound shape "won’t be for you" if you are an "avid aviator fan", she thinks they’re a great option to try.

"If you fancy mixing things up a bit they're actually really practical and stylish. Fully commit to the sporty vibe and team yours with sportswear, even if the only running you're doing is errands," she suggests.

Princess Anne’s snazzy summer accessory defies sunglasses trends and can be worn year after year without looking dated - as she has proven plenty of times. White or black sunglasses are also very versatile thanks to their neutral colour and work with any other shades.

For her time in Edinburgh at the Tattoo rehearsal (a public performance of military music) the senior royal styled them with a duck-egg blue cropped coat with a collared neckline and contrasting buttons.

Her tartan skirt was a vibrant mix of red, blue and green and her gloves were blue as well. It was a bold and colourful look, just as we’ve come to expect of the Princess Royal. In the third picture shared by the Tattoo and the Royal Family on Instagram we were given a close-up look at her sunglasses with their streamlined design and hints of red on the shades’ temples.

She’s already worn them several times over spring and summer and will likely be bringing them with her when she enjoys her annual summer break in August. The working royals all typically take a step back this month and spend a lot of time at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.

Princess Anne will also celebrate her milestone 75th birthday on 15th August and for her 70th birthday she marked the occasion sailing around the west coast of Scotland with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence.

The Royal Family’s annual summer break might be looming, but July is yet another busy month before they enjoy some well-earned time out of the spotlight. On 1st July the final Garden Party of the year was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland and Princess Anne joined the King and Queen for it.

This wasn’t a surprise to me given her hard-working nature and history of attending this particular Garden Party. What did immediately catch my eye was her electric blue outfit - and just how similar the colour was to Queen Camilla’s.

Standing behind her sister-in-law on the Palace steps whilst the National Anthem played, you can just make out Princess Anne in pictures and her jacket perfectly blended in with Her Majesty’s Fiona Clare dress. In many people’s eyes, this ensemble would be something of a faux pas.

After all, when many of us are deciding what to wear to a wedding, the races or a special party we often consult other guests to avoid looks that are too similar. At a wedding, the last thing you want to do (other than wear white) is match the bridesmaids’ outfit colour.

Queen Camilla is the most senior woman within the Royal Family and usually stands out at major occasions in a hue that her fellow royals steer clear of. At one of the Buckingham Palace Garden Parties in May, Her Majesty wore a turquoise dress whilst Duchess Sophie wore a green and white floral number and the Princess Royal was in a blue coat and dress with a metallic lilac sheen.

This is why it was so unexpected to see Princess Anne in a royal blue hat and jacket alongside Queen Camilla in Scotland. Speaking previously, the Duchess of Edinburgh explained that the late Queen Elizabeth wore bright colours precisely so she could be immediately noticeable.

"She needs to stand out for people to be able to say, ‘I saw the Queen,’" the Duchess said on the Our Queen at Ninety documentary. "Don’t forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four… ten to fifteen deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen’s hat as she went past."

At the Holyroodhouse Garden Party, Queen Camilla’s hat alone would not have necessarily been enough to distinguish whether you were glimpsing her or Princess Anne from a distance as their headpieces were so similar in tone.

For all anyone knows, Princess Anne deliberately checked with Queen Camilla about her choice of outfit before the party and got the royal seal of approval. If so, this shows how relaxed Her Majesty is about these fashion traditions.

Queen Elizabeth reportedly used to have a clever way of avoiding coordination at formal occasions, as claimed by Carrie Johnson, the wife of former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Posting on Instagram on the first anniversary of the monarch’s passing, Carrie shared a picture of a note that was allegedly left on her pillow when the couple stayed at Balmoral.

"Ma’am, Her Majesty will be wearing an ice blue cocktail dress for dinner this evening," the note declared.

It’s a simple but effective method - decide in advance what you’re wearing and let people know so they can ensure their outfit is different. This hack might still be used by Queen Camilla for certain events, but perhaps not ahead of Royal Garden Parties.

Princess Anne has long been championed as one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family. She's Patron to over 300 charities and regularly exceeds over 200 public engagements per year, but all these duties don’t stop her from spending time carefully considering her garden back home.

Sharing a rare - and relatable - insight into her life at home at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, the Princess Royal previously opened up on the “biggest row” she faces and how she's not necessarily a fan of "rewilding at scale".

Speaking to The Telegraph, she declared, "My biggest row at home is ragwort. Lots of people think that ragwort is absolutely brilliant because butterflies love it, but it’s not good for the horses."

Sadly, ragwort is toxic to horses and the King's sister went on to explain how she appeases all sides - something she calls a "delicate balance". Her Royal Highness decides not "take all the ragwort out, just where the horses are".

Reflecting upon her response, woman&home's Digital Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock, wouldn't have expected anything less from Princess Anne.

"This is such a quintessential Princess Anne remark. She's always been incredibly pragmatic and no-nonsense, as well as being a lover of all things equestrian and wildlife. Striking a balance between butterfly habitat and protecting her beloved horses likely isn't easy, but Anne has never been afraid of hard work."

Elsewhere in the interview, Princess Anne mentioned the importance of reminding her family - which includes granddaughters Savannah and Isla Phillips, Mia and Lena Tindall and grandson Lucas Tindall - "they live in an area which they shouldn’t take for granted.”

Gatcombe Park, the 18^th century manor set amongst 730 acres of beautiful parkland, sounds like an idyllic slice of English countryside charm, and indeed, the Princess Royal sounds like she very much appreciates it, sharing, "It’s a very good place to observe nature from."

Conservation is, of course, a cause or a passion that the Princess Royal shares with several of her family members. Her brother, King Charles, has been an advocate for sustainability and protecting the environment arguably before it became mainstream.

His first major speech on the matter dates back to 1970, when the then-Prince gave an impassioned speech raising concerns about oil pollution and plastic waste. And Princess Anne’s nephew, Prince William, has carried on his father’s legacy, going one step further and initiating the Earthshot Prize.

Launched in 2020, the initiative awards those who are working on solutions to the world's biggest environmental problems. Still, with all that being said, that doesn’t mean the Princess Royal has to love *all* plants. Least of all ragwort…

Princess Anne has a no-frills approach to life as a royal and this seemingly applies to her breakfasts too. Although we might imagine a luxurious spread being laid out for her at Gatcombe Park, the King’s sister is said to enjoy a simple bowl of fruit instead.

However, whilst it might sound like a very easy-to-prepare choice, this apparently isn’t the case at all. As reported by Hello!, former royal chef Darren McGrady previously suggested to Today that the Princess Royal "almost always" preferred completely black bananas.

Waiting for the fruit to ripen is one thing, holding out for this is quite another and the Princess’s alleged preference won’t be for everyone. According to Darren, though, there’s a reason for this and the bananas were also prepared just-so.

"[Princess Anne] almost always preferred the bananas almost black - overripe - because they digest easier," he claimed, before adding, "First, the ends of the banana are cut off. Then the banana peel is sliced down the middle from end to end so the unpeeled fruit can be opened."

The final piece of the breakfast puzzle is supposedly slicing the overripe banana into "circles" before it’s "eaten with a fork". In the past, Darren McGrady has alleged that this was exactly the same way that Queen Elizabeth ate them.

Whether or not the late monarch also ate them quite that overripe isn’t known, but Princess Anne might be on to something. As reported by the Leicester Bowel Clinic in January 2025, as bananas ripen, the resistant starch "converts into simple sugars, making them easier to digest".

Even so, as someone who prefers this fruit on the green side, I’m not sure I’ll be trying Her Royal Highness’ go-to "almost black" bananas anytime soon. Surprisingly enough, this isn’t the only specific fruit-related habit she has.

As per the Daily Mail, in Robert Hardman’s bestselling royal biography, Queen Of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II, Zara Tindall reportedly explained that her mother "always has a kiwi fruit" with her when she’s on the go.

Kiwis are high in Vitamin C and Vitamin K, as well as fibre and antioxidants. Robert alleged that the Princess Royal often prefers to eat a kiwi instead of having a full lunch.

Fruit seems to be a staple in her diet at all times of day and the idea that Princess Anne could be carrying a kiwi around with her in her handbag is brilliant. It’s a good source of sustenance when she’s busy and the senior royal is known to be one of the most hard-working members of the Royal Family.

Her schedule is always packed full of engagements and she is incredibly open about how she wants the focus to be on the organisations and charities she visits, rather than on her. In August, the Princess Royal will turn 75 and instead of celebrating with a party, she hosted more than 100 organisations at Buckingham Palace this month.

"This personifies what Her Royal Highness cares about," declared a palace source to The Telegraph. "She didn’t want to do anything for her birthday but bring her charities together to hear more about their work and how she can help them."

It's not often we hear the royals use nicknames in public, but rare behind-the-scenes footage revealed Princess Anne’s unusual nickname for her brother King Charles - and it reflects their close sibling bond.

Members of the Royal Family tend to have a series of names, from their royal titles, to birth names or maiden names, and then there are their adorable family nicknames they use behind closed doors. We've got to learn about some of the family-given nicknames they use over the years, with the Princess of Wales calling Prince Louis 'Lou-bugs'. And the late Queen Elizabeth going by the childhood moniker, Lilibet, which her husband Prince Philip used to call her and that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid tribute to through their own daughters name. However, there are some more unusual nicknames within the family that we can't see any future royal children being called, as is the case with Princess Anne’s nickname for her big brother King Charles.

She was heard using the hilarious and unique nickname in the BBC’s 2023 documentary, Charles III: The Coronation Year. As she met with His Majesty back at Buckingham Palace after the magnificent Coronation service, she could be heard greeting him by saying, "Hello, Old Bean," much to the delight of King Charles. The monarch laughed and took his younger sister’s hand and kissed it in greeting.

It might sound unusual to hear him referred to in this way, but Princess Anne’s nickname for King Charles highlights their unique royal relationship and closeness. Speaking recently in an YouTube video episode of The Telegraph’s Royal Insight, the publication’s Royal Editor Hannah Furniss reflected on Princess Anne using the 'Old Bean' nickname and how the senior royal has such a significant bond with the King.

"There was a lovely moment in the documentary recently where we saw her calling Charles 'Old Bean'. They have this very warm relationship and she is probably in a better position than anyone to give him advice, give him a bit of sympathy when he needs it, give him a bit of a pep talk," Hannah claimed. "She understands how the Royal Family works and she has a bit of an eye to the past and to the future."

It's easy to forget given the King and the Princess Royal's immense importance as senior royals that, at the end of the day, they are still just brother and sister. When you think of it like that, the sweet nickname comes as less of a surprise and it's totally understandable that she has such a touching and personal nickname for him. Calling him 'Old Bean' is endearing and perhaps highlights his position as her beloved older brother.

Just under two years apart in age, King Charles and Princess Anne are the oldest of the late Queen Elizabeth’s children. Considering that their younger two siblings are so far apart in age from them, with Prince Andrew being 10 years younger than his sister and Prince Edward being 14 years younger, of course their relationship is 'very close,' says Hannah, as they shared their experience growing up together.

She said, "They’ve grown up together, they spent their childhood together when the Queen and Prince Philip were travelling a lot. They’re very close."

The royal expert also described Princess Anne as a "big part of the royal ecosystem" and explained how her unwavering dedication has meant she’s a real "right-hand woman" to the King.

"Princess Anne is a key part, perhaps the key part, actually, of the wider supporting family who do these day-to-day engagements, travel up and down the country, travel round the Commonwealth, doing the plaque unveiling, the ribbon cutting. She’s also personally to [King] Charles a real sounding-board and a right-hand woman," Hannah declared.

This was reflected literally in the group coronation portrait taken by Hugo Burnand last year. The Princess Royal stood directly next to King Charles on his right side which was possibly a sign of her key position within the Royal Family and His Majesty’s immense trust in her.

Princess Anne stepped out in a gorgeous tonal teal look on Commonwealth Day and she stayed true to longtime style ethos.

So many of the high-profile figures we look to for style inspiration have changed their approach to dressing over the years but one person who’s never swayed from their signature look is Princess Anne - and we love her for it. The King’s sister knows what she likes to wear and sticks with the pieces that she’s loved for years, often championing the best British clothing brands. For Commonwealth Day 2025 she joined other working royals at Westminster Abbey for the annual service wearing a teal outfit that was a masterclass in how to dress tonally.

Held every year in March, the Commonwealth Day 2025 theme was "Together We Thrive". It celebrated the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth, the importance of building strong and connected communities and empowering one another to foster a better future. Princess Anne re-wore an old favourite teal coat she’s had in her collection since at least 2013.

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The coat had a gorgeous geometric print running all over it in different shades of teal-blue and fell to midi length. The asymmetrical collar gave it a contemporary edge and was perfect for the Princess Royal to secure her sentimental gold brooch to. This special piece of jewellery was reportedly a gift from Queen Elizabeth and it brought some extra sparkle and glamour to her otherwise very pared-back coat.

Running down one side were delicate buttons and Princess Anne leaned into the tonal dressing theme with her light aqua hat. This coordinated with the palest hue featured in her coat’s pattern and created a lovely sense of cohesion. Her navy blue gloves, court shoes and the shoulder bag which she carried securely under her arm also worked effortlessly with her coat.

As a practical-minded royal Princess Anne is just as at home in her best wellies as she is dressing for formal occasions like the Commonwealth Day service, but when she does dress up more she loves a tonal look like this. Wearing different shades of the same colour is an easy way to make your outfit feel naturally very put-together and considered - as woman&home’s Digital Fashion Writer Molly Smith explains.

"Dressing tonally can really make an outfit pop, especially when you opt for a vibrant colourway such as teal blue," she says. "Wearing multiple shades of the same colour feels put-together without trying too hard, and it’s a great technique if you’re struggling to style a garment with contrasting colours."

Even if you’re not a huge fan of teal, Princess Anne’s Commonwealth Day outfit is a great source of inspiration for how to get tonal dressing right. Incorporating darker and lighter tones to give depth and going for timeless silhouettes that allow the colours to shine through is a good way to get a similar look.

The Princess Royal’s outfit also stayed true to her style ethos of re-wearing her treasured pieces. We’ve seen her step out in this coat before, including to the 2023 Commonwealth Day service, at Cheltenham races and for a visit to the Afghanistan Operational Service Medals parade in 2013.

It’s clear that this is a key piece in her spring capsule wardrobe and each time she’d tended to stick to wearing it with shades of blue and green. Tonal dressing is a failsafe for the Princess Royal, with this coat as well as with her other outfits, and it’s something we’ll be trying more of.

If you’re worried about styling pattern and colour together, look no further than Princess Anne for inspiration as she just pulled off this combination with a checked handbag and green coat.

Spring finally feels like it’s sprung and Princess Anne has embraced the change in seasons with a fresh green coat and checked handbag as she paid a poignant visit to Lydney in Gloucestershire. The Princess Royal loves championing the best British clothing brands and practical pieces and also has a flair for styling bright colours and patterns. The prospect of combining these two things in the same outfit might fill many of us with fear that our outfit will look too much, but she pulled it off.

Princess Anne traveled from where she lives at Gatcombe Park to Lydney on 26th February and met with some of the incredible residents and volunteers who worked together to help the community in the wake of Storm Bert. She braved the rain in her green tweed coat which we’ve seen several times before.

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Like the Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal loves to re-wear her staples and we suspect that if she were to create a spring capsule wardrobe this coat would definitely be in it. She has had it since at least 2002 when she wore it to Cheltenham Races and she also wore it to the races in 2022 as well. We wouldn’t be at all surprised if we saw Princess Anne step out wearing this piece when this year’s Cheltenham Festival kicks off.

It has a contrasting velvet collar, cuffs, pocket flaps and buttons which add to the traditional feel of the tweed but also bring a luxurious edge to this coat. The tailored, double-breasted silhouette is perfect for throwing on with smart-casual outfits. As much as we want to only be wearing trench coats and light jackets this spring, coats are often still a necessity in the UK and opting for a pastel or brighter colour like Princess Anne’s green coat feels more seasonal.

She brought in some pattern alongside the stunning hue with her choice of a brown checked shoulder bag. Because the colours were neutral it wasn’t too much with her coat. If you’re not a fan of patterned clothing then patterned accessories are a lovely way to add a fun touch to an ensemble in a more subtle way.

Wearing colour and pattern together is trickier, but the Princess Royal nailed it by keeping to pared-back, timeless designs and ensuring there was only one pop of vibrant colour in her outfit. You could just as easily recreate this combination but swap in a bright jumper, dress or top instead of outerwear.

She wore brown knee high boots and gloves and a camel roll neck jumper to tie in with her bag as she met people who helped to distribute sandbags to protect buildings, reinforce infrastructure and clean-up after Storm Bert had passed.

The King’s sister saw first-hand the devastation caused by the storm to local homes and businesses as she walked down Lydney High Street. This was such a significant engagement for her and came just ahead of the start of March which is always a busy month for Princess Anne.

As well as carrying out her royal duties, she regularly attends most days at Cheltenham Festival and often follows the same outfit formula of a bright coat and neutral patterned accessories, particularly scarves, or vice versa.

Princess Anne wore a white and gold skirt suit to a royal reception and it oozed elegance just like a Chanel two-piece.

Princess Anne has such a distinctive style and although she regularly champions the best British clothing brands, her outfit for a reception at Buckingham Palace on 20th February reminded us of classic French fashion. The King’s sister wore a white skirt suit to the event, which was held to celebrate exceptional individuals and organisations who are contributing towards humanitarian efforts across the globe. Princess Anne’s outfit was suitably timeless and formal for the occasion and the double breasted blazer and skirt together reminded us of Chanel co-ords.

The French fashion house is known for their boucle or tweed style jackets and skirts and although the fabric of Princess Anne’s skirt suit wasn’t the same fabric, it had a similar feel with its gold-toned buttons and very feminine, proper silhouette. The blazer was double-breasted and the longline length gave it a more retro edge.

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It had a fit-and-flare silhouette which is always gorgeous if you want to accentuate your waist. It’s not as commonly seen with blazers and gave Princess Anne’s jacket a peplum-esque shape that draped over her matching white skirt. The structured shoulders and notched lapels were beautiful and the gleaming gold buttons added glamour.

Even without the skirt this would have been a stand-out wardrobe staple that could’ve been thrown over everything from tailored trousers to jeans (not that we often see Princess Anne wearing denim!). However, the combination of the two pieces together is what really gave her outfit its Chanel-esque power suit feel.

The skirt was knee-length and A-line, falling just below the bottom of the jacket. Trouser suits have risen hugely in popularity in recent years and many of us wear them as date night outfits or even as wedding guest looks, but a skirt suit like this is often overlooked as a possible alternative when you want a tailored outfit.

They’re just as easy to style and boucle skirt suits in particular are one of those French fashion staples that would make any outfit that bit more Parisian and elegant. They bring a certain polished, modest quality and so we would often lean into this with our accessories and wear knee high boots, Mary Janes or ballet flats with a skirt suit.

The Princess Royal wore low black court shoe heels and matched them to her gloves and clutch bag. Monochrome colours work well when you’re going for a very classic look like hers and the contrast of the black and white with the hints of gold was very striking. She tucked in a silk scarf to the neckline of her jacket which featured pops of blue that brought some brightness.

This was such a quintessential Princess Anne outfit and even if you’re not sure about embracing a full-on skirt suit in 2025, she also showcased how fabulous a white blazer can be. So often we find ourselves reaching for our favourite black blazer, but especially as we move into spring and summer, a white one is every bit as versatile for both daytime and evening occasions.

The Princess Royal’s jacket worked so well for the reception, which also marked the anniversaries of four global charities - International Health Partners, ShelterBox, Islamic Relief UK and Christian Aid. King Charles and Queen Camilla, who hosted the reception, were shown displays on the work of all four and a special collection of pictures from the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Princess Anne wore a royal fashion staple loved by the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla for a visit close to her heart.

Each member of the Royal Family has their own distinctive style, but there are some key fashion staples that they all reach for. One of these is something many of us will also have in our winter capsule wardrobes and which Princess Anne wore for her poignant visit to Southmead Hospital on 6th February. Never one to risk being cold, Princess Royal layered up for this engagement and the main focus of her outfit was a camel coat. Like so many of Princess Anne’s clothes we’ve seen this several times before, including when she wore it at Ascot Racecourse in October.

Her coat falls to just below the knee and has a straight silhouette with concealed buttons fastening it at the front. Although it has a button at the neckline that would secure the collar in place, Princess Anne prefers to keep it open and draped back on itself like lapels.

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The beauty of this coat lies in its simplicity and when we’re investing in a winter coat we want it to last for many years to come without going out of style and to be as versatile as possible. Timeless silhouettes and neutral colours are the key to getting the most wear out of coats and whilst it’s always lovely to have a few more statement coats in your collection, a tailored one is something we think is a must-have.

Princess Anne’s coat is a warm-toned camel colour that works so well with grey, black and brown, though if you prefer a slightly lighter shade that’s also beautiful and easy to wear. For her visit to Southmead Hospital she wore it with dark brown riding boots that gave her look an equestrian edge and a matching shoulder bag.

Colour-coordinating your accessories is a great way to make your ensemble feel more put-together and it’s a trick plenty of the royals use. The King’s sister looked to be wearing a tweed jacket and a roll neck jumper under her coat, likely with a neutral skirt. Princess Anne looked cheerful and relaxed as she toured the hospital and met with and thanked the team of doctors, nurses and health professionals who treated her last year.

The Princess Royal spent five nights at the hospital in June after sustaining a minor head injury and concussion at Gatcombe Park where she lives. In January she revealed she has no memory of the incident and as per the BBC, she told staff at the intensive care unit at the hospital, "I just know I was really well looked after, so thank you. But whatever you did, it seemed to work… the recovery being relatively straightforward, thankfully. That isn't always true so I'm really grateful."

For such a meaningful visit it made sense that Princess Anne went for a timeless and understated outfit with neutral tones. Her camel coat will likely get a lot more wear as we head into spring and the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla are also big fans of this fashion staple. Both of them have their own go-to camel coats that we’ve seen them wear plenty of times and Kate’s is by MAX&Co and Queen Camilla’s by Anna Valentine.

The Princess of Wales’s coat has a belted design as well as classic notched lapels and falls to a longer length than Princess Anne’s. This makes it great for wearing draped over longer dresses as well as with tailored co-ords. Meanwhile, Her Majesty’s coat is collarless with statement thread detailing running down the front and up the sleeves that jazzes up even a simple outfit.

Princess Anne wore a navy pea coat and aqua scarf at the rugby and showcased how to look elegant when being cold isn’t an option.

Princess Anne’s style really comes into its own in colder weather as she is a huge fan of layers and reportedly once declared in the past that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only "inappropriate clothing". Her ensemble for the Scotland vs Italy match in this year’s Six Nations showcased the Princess Royal’s fashion philosophy to a tee. Whilst we might feel pressure to step out the door in stylish but not necessarily very warm items from our winter capsule wardrobe, Princess Anne’s outfit has encouraged us to go all-out cosy.

She wore a navy blue tartan pea coat to watch the match which had a smart edge thanks to its lapel collar and double breasted design. This particular item looks rather similar to a checked coat Princess Anne wore back in 1970 and whether or not it’s the exact same, she clearly loves this colour and silhouette together.

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Given how much the senior royal loves practical pieces we wouldn’t be surprised if her coat was made from wool or a wool blend for maximum warmth. The buttons were black and there were subtle hints of lighter blue running through the check. The Princess Royal styled this coat with matching navy checked trousers to create a suit look.

A matching co-ord always inherently feels put-together and coordinating her trousers to her outerwear rather than wearing a traditional, lighter suit underneath ensured Princess Anne wasn’t compromising on warmth. Her accessories mostly tied in with the black buttons on her coat and gave great coverage on this grey day in Edinburgh.

Princess Anne is rarely without a pair of leather gloves in the winter and she wore a black pair to the rugby and carried a matching black shoulder bag. Her bag was roomy enough for all her essentials and the design allowed her to be handsfree. When we’re wearing so many layers a crossbody bag can sometimes get tangled on hoods or sit at an awkward position, so a shoulder bag is a good alternative.

Tucked carefully into the neckline of the Princess Royal’s coat was a turquoise scarf that was likely layered over a high neck jumper. The King’s sister regularly uses this trick to keep her neck warm in the colder months and tucking a scarf into your coat also gives a neat finish to an outfit that can help make it feel more polished.

To accentuate this, consider colour matching your scarf to part of your outfit or to your bag or shoes. During the match Princess Anne also draped a blue and green tartan scarf under her coat collar as a final flourish. Whether you love a pea coat and scarf like hers or not, she showed how to style multiple accessories and warm outerwear in a chic way.

At the Patron of Scottish Rugby, the Princess Royal is frequently seen pitch-side cheering team Scotland on at their Six Nations matches. Last year she wore what looks to be the same coat and trousers to watch Scotland vs France and even added a waterproof over the top to shield her from the rain.

In her first ever interview, Carole Middleton asked a question that spoke volumes about her focus and work ethic - and it reminded us of Princess Anne.

When the Princess of Wales married into the Royal Family it wasn’t just her who found herself thrust into the public eye like never before, but her family too. Over the years her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings James and Pippa have been invited to plenty of significant royal occasions, including King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation in 2023. Kate’s proud mum has also given several interviews about her former business, Party Pieces, and shared rare insights into her family.

Her first ever interview was with The Telegraph back in 2018 and despite supposedly being "nervous" for this big moment, Carole went on to ask a hilarious question that we couldn’t admire more - and it was *very* Princess Anne-esque. The team on the photoshoot reportedly told interviewer Lisa Armstrong that Carole "doesn’t do sofas".

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"Two things you need to know. Carole’s very, very nervous, and she doesn’t do sofas," they claimed the night before she went to interview her. "When we asked her to perch on one,’ they continued, ‘Carole’s response was, "Who sits around on a sofa?"’

This is such a brilliant response from Carole Middleton and it was noted that for the interview in Berkshire she arrived at the Party Pieces boardroom and "immediately" took Lisa on a tour rather than sitting down. It seems that the Princess of Wales’s mum much prefers being up and about and threw herself into her work at the party supplies business.

This work ethic and focus on being hands-on is the approach taken by her daughter’s aunt-in-law Princess Anne. Famously no-nonsense and committed to her duties, the Princess Royal told Vanity Fair in 2020 that during the day "eating’s not really an issue". An aide went on to suggest that she never stops for refreshments until her work is over for the day.

Princess Anne viewed her late parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as "role models" and spoke of how, like them, she views her job as "service" and of the utmost importance.

"It’s not just about, ‘Can I get a tick in the box for doing this?’ No, it’s about serving…. It comes from an example from both my parents’ way of working and where they saw their role being. I mean, my father served. It was a more direct form of service, I suppose you could argue," she said. "And the Queen’s has been a lifelong service in a slightly different way, but they both have that perspective of service which is about working with people."

She and self-confessed "night owl" Carole love being on the go and Princess Anne has been one of the most hard-working royals year after year. The Princess of Wales’s mum is now a busy grandmother-of-seven and her preference for activity extends into her hobbies too.

Kate is known to be very sporty - as are Prince George, Charlotte and Louis - and her parents inspired this love of getting outdoors.

"I suppose as a family we were just very active. And I can always remember being physical, using our bodies, whether it's walking, climbing the lake district in Scotland [or] swimming from a young age," she declared on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast in 2023. "[My parents] always encouraged us to be physically active and sporty and they always encouraged us into doing team sports and trying things."

Princess Anne is visiting South Africa and she brought back her snazzy sunglasses for her first day of engagements.

The Princess Royal is one of the most hard-working members of the Royal Family and after taking a break over Christmas at Sandringham House she quickly resumed her packed schedule and has now set off on her first overseas visit of 2025. Princess Anne has swapped the grey skies of January in the UK for the South African sunshine as she is undertaking a two day solo trip. The first engagement she undertook was a visit to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) which she previously visited back in 1994.

Princess Anne is the President of the Riding for the Disabled Association and SARDA has provided free equine therapy, sport and training for over 50 years. This was likely an incredibly meaningful visit for the senior royal and we’re not at all surprised she went for a very practical outfit that included her snazzy sunglasses.

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Princess Anne’s Adidas sunglasses are something of a signature look for her and whilst she wears them most in the summer or when abroad, she’s also been known to wear them on brighter days in autumn. With their sporty design, white frames and tinted lenses they’re a bold accessory, but they’ve stood the test of time for her.

Above all, Princess Anne’s snazzy sunnies are practical and this is no doubt why she’s reached for them for decades and brought them with her on her visit to South Africa. The senior royal is known for focusing on functionality when it comes to her staples and was once quoted as saying that she believes "there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing".

At home in the UK she often reaches for waterproofs and her best wellies, but in the South African sunshine her sunglasses were the protective yet chic item she needed. Her style reminds us all that our clothes and accessories have to work for us practically as much as they do aesthetically and the Princess Royal wore her sunglasses with white straight leg trousers that matched the frames, a shirt and moccasin shoes.

The shirt was blue and white with a delicate leaf motif running all over it and the King’s sister wore it with the collar half popped and left loose and draped over her trousers. The long sleeves and long trousers ensured that she was covered to help shield her from the sun but the silhouettes were loose and relaxed which was not only very chic, but also airy.

Her chocolate brown moccasins were a polished alternative to trainers that were still flat and very comfortable to wear all day. With a roomy bag worn over her shoulder, this outfit was quintessential Princess Anne and we couldn’t admire it more.

She looked relaxed and happy wearing it at SARDA and later on in the day she also toured the British High Commission Residence Garden with the Head Horticulturist at Grootbos Foundation, Bulelani Bashe.

The Foundation works to help conserve the environment of the Cape Floral Kingdom and to develop sustainable livelihoods. A Princess Anne Rose was planted in the Garden by the Princess Royal to symbolise her visit, which comes thirteen years after she last visited South Africa.

Slipping on a pair of jeans might not seem particularly regal, but the many occasions on which the royals have worn denim over the decades are a reminder that they're just like the rest of us. What's more, for individuals used to dressing up in gowns and tailoring, they're pretty good at styling it, too.

Indeed, some of their denim looks have truly stood the test of time from Meghan Markle's go-to blue skinny jeans at the Invictus Games to Princess Diana's beloved straight-leg trousers. Not that they're just defined to jeans, with denim coats, dresses, jackets and shirts found in palace wardrobes too.

So, whether they are opting for a smart-casual dress code in slimming jeans at an official event or have been spotted out and about while off-duty, the royals frequently give us a lesson in how to wear denim in the most stylish way. If you need some everyday sartorial inspiration, then look no further...

Stylish denim looks from the royal ladies

Kate Middleton visits a sports centre

All eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she visited SportsAid at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, in Marlow, in 2023. She paired a cobalt blue blazer jacket with a white top and a pair of dark blue jeans for the relaxed royal engagement.

Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games

Meghan Markle has been a class act in elevating jeans into a key element of her smarter ensembles. The duchess looked chic at the Invictus Games 2020, at The Hague in the Netherlands, in a pair of blue jeans which she dressed up with a cream coat and brown heels.

Kate Middleton in Wales

For a more understated way to wear denim, make like the Princess of Wales and opt for a pair of jeans in black. She looked elegant when pairing them with a dark green turtle neck jumper and coat to visit the Blaenavon Heritage Centre in Wales in 2022.

Zara Tindall before her wedding

A then-Zara Phillips looked relaxed as she left the rehearsal for her wedding to Mike Tindall in Edinburgh in 2011. Princess Anne's daughter wore a pair of dark blue bootcut jeans with a stripey navy and white cardigan and bejewelled sandals.

Kate Middleton at a rugby club

Jeans needn't just come in just blue or black, as the Princess of Wales demonstrated during a visit to the Dowlais Rugby Club in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales in 2023. She paired a skinny grey pair with a casual brown jacket for stylish outdoorsy result.

Queen Maxima at a truck driver school

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands exuded elegance at an official visit to a truck driver school in Nieuwegein in 2021. The Dutch royal wore a pair of wide-legged blue denim trousers with a white top - complete with bow detailing - and a cobalt blue clutch bag.

Kate Middleton's cowboy look

In one of the princess' first engagements after marrying Prince William in 2011, the royal newlyweds paid a visit to Calgary in Canada where they got in the cowboy spirit. She paired a polka dot white blouse and white hat with a pair of blue bootcut jeans and brown boots.

Zara Tindall at Cheltenham Racecourse

Zara Phillips proved that denim needn't just be confined to jeans. In 2006, the daughter of Princess Anne attended Cheltenham Racecourse with then-boyfriend Mike Tindall in a fitted button-through blue denim coat, which she paired with a chocolate brown hat and wide-legged, pinstripe trousers in the same shade.

Kate Middleton out in Scotland

The Princess of Wales looked stylish during a visit to a charity in Moray, Scotland in 2023. She wore a pair of black flared jeans with a green check-print quilted jacket and a pair of chunky brown boots as part of the perfect smart-casual countryside ensemble.

Kate Middleton before her graduation

Before the princess married into the royal family, she was seen out and about before her graduation at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2005. She paired a white strappy vest top with a pair of pale wash blue bootcut jeans and a black belt.

Meghan Markle at the polo

Meghan Markle exuded elegance during an event at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, near Windsor, in 2018. The duchess looked chic in a dark blue denim mid-dress - complete with a flared skirt and matching belt - along with cream accessories.

Queen Letizia out in Madrid

Queen Letizia demonstrated the versatility of denim while on an official engagement in Madid in 2021. The Spanish royal stepped out in a dark blue button-through shirt-style midi-dress, which she accessorised with a skinny red belt and a pair of heels in a matching shade.

Princess Anne at a horse show

Princess Anne's off-duty ensembles frequently include straight leg blue jeans. The late Queen's daughter wore a slouchy pair at the Windsor Horse Show in 1985, which she paired with a navy quilted jacket, white trainers and a light blue headscarf.

Princess Diana leaving hospital

Princess Diana channelled laidback chic as she accompanied her then-husband Prince Charles as he left Cirencester Hospital in 1990. She styled a loose blue denim shirt over a white top and tucked it into a white floral skirt cinched at the waist with a brown belt.

Kate Middleton at the polo

While it might have been a brave colour to wear in the countryside, Kate Middleton looked stylish in white bootcut jeans at a charity polo match at the Beaufort Polo Club near Tetbury in 2006. Then then-girlfriend of Prince William paired them with a white top and brown cardigan.

Meghan Markle in South Africa

Meghan Markle showed why a blue denim jacket should be a staple in every wardrobe during a royal outing in Cape Town, South Africa in 2019. The duchess paired the versatile piece with a white shirt and black jeans for a visit to an NGO.

Sophie Wessex at the barracks

For a visit to the Gibraltar Barracks in Camberley in 2023, the Duchess of Edinburgh looked smart in an army-inspired ensemble. Sophie wore a camo-print coat with a pair of skinny grey jeans and a pair of chunky brown boots.

Princess Diana at the polo

Princess Diana wore a pair of straight-leg blue jeans as part of one of her most iconic outfits of all time. She paired them with a white British Heart Foundation sweater, black blazer jacket, navy baseball cap and brown boots at the Guards Polo Club in 1988.

Meghan Markle out in Toronto

In one of her first public outings with Prince Harry, his then-girlfriend Meghan Markle accompanied him to the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017. The future duchess memorably wore a pair of ripped blue skinny jeans, which she styled with an oversized white shirt and black sunglasses.

Meghan Markle at The Hague

Meghan Markle looked chic while attending the Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands in 2022. The duchess was elegant in a smart black jacket with gold buttons and a sleek ponytail, however she gave her ensemble a relaxed edge with a pair of straight leg blue jeans and aviator sunglasses.

Zara Tindall at the Gatcombe Horse Trials

Zara Tindall wrapped up warm for the Gatcombe Horse Trials in the grounds of her mother's home in 2018. The daughter of Princess Anne paired blue skinny jeans with a grey quilted jacket and a grey bobble hat.

Kate Middleton at the Natural History Museum

In one of her most coveted smart-casual denim looks, the Princess of Wales wore a pair of blue straight-leg jeans in a visit to the Natural History Museum in London in 2021. She paired them with a coral blazer jacket and a white top.

Kate at RAF Wittering

The Princess of Wales opted for skinny black jeans to visit RAF Wittering near Stamford in 2017. She finished off her smart look with a red double-breasted jacket, featuring gold buttons, and a pair of black suede boots.

Princess Anne at the Badminton Horse Trials

Princess Anne looked comfortable in a pair of slouchy dark blue jeans at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1982. The practical princess paired them with a navy jacket, navy sweater, shirt and a pair of Adidas trainers, along with a red necktie and black baker boy cap.

Kate Middleton out in London

Few things go together quite as well as dark blue jeans and breton stripes. The Princess of Wales wore a white and navy jumper with a bootcut-style pair, and a brown jacket layered over the top, for a royal engagement in north London in 2023.

Meghan Markle out in Dusseldorf

Meghan Markle turned heads in an all-black ensemble at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany in 2023. The duchess paired black straight leg jeans with a black short-sleeved top and a pair of black heels to see the wheelchair basketball final.

Sarah, Duchess Of York on a family outing

A blue denim jacket makes the ideal between-season cover-up, as Sarah, Duchess of York proved while on a family outing with her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in 1996. Prince Andrew's ex-wife paired the piece with a white top, a polka dot skirt and white trainers.

Camilla walking near Sandringham

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, perfected the off-duty royal ensemble while walking on the royal Norfolk country estate of Sandringham in 2006. A then Prince Charles' wife paired her dark green jacket with blue jeans, along with wellies, a burnt-orange scarf and a brown hat.

Sophie Wessex at the beach

To help pick litter on Southsea beach near Portsmouth in 2020, the then-Countess of Wessex looked relaxed in a pair of blue skinny jeans. Sophie paired the classic wardrobe staple with a long-sleeved dusky pink blouse and flat cream espadrilles.

Princess Anne walking at Gatcombe Park

Princess Anne looked comfortable in a pair of blue bootcut jeans while taking her dog for a walk in the grounds of her home, Gatcombe Park, in 1974. The late Queen's daughter paired them with navy blue quilted jacket and brown boots.

Princess Diana doing the school run

For the school run to drop off son Prince Harry in 1992, Princess Diana looked stylish in a pair of straight leg blue jeans. The royal, who was spotted leaving Wetherby School in London with her other son Prince William, paired them with a white T-Shirt - complete with a blue 'star' print - and a dark brown belt.

Diana skiing in Austria

Princess Diana helped solidify her status as one of the most stylish royals of all time while on a family ski trip to Lech, Austria in 1993. The mother-of-two wowed in a blue denim shirt and jeans in a matching shade, which she paired with a black leather jacket, brown belt and white boots.

Princess Anne was cosy and vibrant in her cherry red coat and pleated tartan skirt as she attended a recent January engagement.

When you find an outfit that you feel chic and comfortable in, it’s only natural to reach for it again and again and Princess Anne is a big believer in this too. The King’s sister champions the best British clothing brands and whilst she might likely have a clothing collection bigger than many people’s winter capsule wardrobes, she re-wears her staples consistently. Like her late mother Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne loves to go bold with colour and so we’re not surprised to see her bring back her cherry red coat for a recent January engagement.

The Princess Royal wrapped up warm when she opened a new ‘virtual reality’ immersive technology suite at the Fire Service College (FSC) which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. She wore the bright red cropped coat we last saw her style on Christmas Day and it’s always a fun addition to her cold weather outfits.

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It has red buttons running up the front that give it a military-esque feel and a high, straight collar. It’s got such a classic silhouette and the shorter length makes it easy to wear with fuller skirts and dresses underneath - as Princess Anne often does. The vivid scarlet shade is fabulous and really brightens up a grey day, though red is one of the more versatile bright hues.

It works with neutrals so well and whilst the royals do love stepping out head-to-toe in a specific colour, the Princess Royal’s outfit at the FSC showcased how great red looks with navy and black. Her skirt was pleated and checked, just like the one she wore on Christmas Day, and this proves once again that once she’s found a winning combination she sticks with it.

It has navy and red running through it and the more muted tones were a lovely contrast to Princess Anne’s cherry red coat. The skirt balanced out the statement shade, as did her knee high boots and accessories. Whenever we’re considering the best winter accessories we have to champion gloves as they are so practical but can help make an outfit look polished.

The Princess Royal wore black leather gloves and carried a matching handbag under her arm. Her black boots also looked to be the same colour and had a pretty tassel down one side. It’s possible that they could have been the Fairfax & Favor Regina boots, but either way they were very sleek with her pleated midi skirt draped over the top.

On Christmas Day, the Princess wore a red scarf draped over her coat and added a fluffy black hat, but she didn’t require these additions on this occasion. Her outfit looked cosy enough for the January day and her red coat was once again the star of this style show as she opened the lab, which will complement live fire training by utilising AI and fire simulations to improve firefighting skills, whilst ensuring safety.

Prior to this visit and Christmas Day, Princess Anne has also worn her red coat in the autumn. In September 2023 she attended the Braemar Gathering in Scotland wearing it with another tartan skirt and added a matching red hat and low-heeled court shoes to finish off her look.

There was a strong display of solidarity as numerous members of the Royal Family came together for another Sandringham Walkabout this Christmas.

Joining the likes of the Princess of Wales – sticking to her tried and tested style formula in a forest green monochrome ensemble – Duchess Sophie, King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Beatrice, the Princess Royal stole the show in a jolly red coat and matching scarf.

Princess Anne – accompanied by husband Sir Timothy Laurence - was spotted walking alongside her youngest brother, Prince Edward, as the family made their way to their annual Christmas service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Norfolk.

While many of the younger royals went with a subtle, subdued style – including Princess Beatrice’s camel coat and Zara Tindall’s monochromatic maroon outfit – Princess Anne wasn’t afraid to go big, bright and bold. Something we've seen her do often, including with her burnt orange coat and fluffy hatthat was perfect for staying warm and stylish.

And it's something her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, would’ve no doubt done had she still been with us.

Anne’s cherry red jacket, paired with a matching scarf worn loose, was exactly the sort of bold colour that Queen Elizabeth II wore consistently throughout her life – and it was done intentionally.

The Queen believed bright colours helped the royals stand out more, meaning more people had the chance of spotting them amongst huge crowds.

Anne paired her cherry red outfit with a navy blue and red tartan skirt - and from Helen Skelton's chic tartan coat to Kate Middleton's tartan skirt and cardigan, we're spotting a trend.

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Paired with the colourful ensemble, Anne was sporting her knotted brooch.

The brooch, which is in the shape of a reef knot is made from nine-carat yellow gold wire formed into a rope. The brooch includes Scottish freshwater pearls – a nod to her Scottish connection, and rubies which were included as the special piece was presented to her on her 40^th birthday.

The Scottish connection wasn’t just evident in the brooch, either.

Interestingly, the Wales family – including Princess Kate, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis – all wore subtle nods to their Scottish heritage, donning blue and green tartan prints.

Finishing her look, Anne had a warm, fluffy black hat and a pair of black boots.

Anne, along with her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, will be spending Christmas at Sandringham with her brother, King Charles and other invited royals, tucking into a feast of traditional dishes and treats.

Princess Anne wrapped up warm in a burnt orange coat, fluffy hat and boots when she attended Cheltenham Festival in 2015.

Princess Anne’s signature style is all about the best British clothing brands, practical staples and timeless silhouettes. Perhaps more than any other royal we’re more likely to see Princess Anne in her best wellies and long waterproof coats in rainy weather, or layering scarves under jackets to keep herself warm. At the same time she always manages to bring a sense of elegance to her outfits and in winter her go-to looks tend to centre around a beautiful coat with a classic silhouette, styled with boots and a trusty hat, gloves and scarf. This formula works for her time after time and we still particularly admire Princess Anne’s burnt orange coat look which she wore to Cheltenham Festival in March 2015.

As often happens in spring as much as in winter in the UK, it was a chilly and rainy day and the Princess Royal looked toasty warm and chic in her tailored orange coat. It fell to her knees and had a single-breasted design, with concealed fastenings running up the centre.

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Not having any buttons or press studs visible gave the coat more of a minimalist, polished feel and this was echoed in the rest of the design. Apart from the smart lapels and two sweeping side seams on either side, Princess Anne’s burnt orange coat was plain. This balanced its rather bold colour and if you’ve had your eye on a bright coat to add to your winter capsule wardrobe, this is worth bearing in mind as a pared-back design is a bit more versatile.

The colour of the senior royal’s coat was gorgeous and had a warm undertone that would look stunning with warm neutrals like brown, beige and camel, as well as with black and white. When it came to her all-important accessories on this chilly spring day at Cheltenham Races, the Princess went for a mix of tones, but her hat and scarf matched perfectly.

We’ve often seen Princess Anne wear fluffy hats over the years and this one was a mottled grey-brown colour with a unique ribbed design. The variety of shades enhanced the texture even more and it looked exceptionally cosy, especially paired with a scarf in what looked to be the exact same material. The scarf was tucked into Princess Anne’s burnt orange coat and could’ve had a stole-like design, with one side threaded neatly through the other.

Either way, it seemed to be a snuggly addition to her outfit and she added a pair of her go-to mid calf length boots. These were black and slouchy, with a pointed toe and comfortable low heel that was perfect for a daytime outing. The King’s sister also wore chocolate brown gloves and carried a brown shoulder bag that was easily big enough for all her essentials.

Keeping her hat, scarf, gloves, bag and boots neutral allowed the burnt orange shade of her coat to do all the talking. It also showed how clever Princess Anne is when it comes to her accessories as she chooses staples that can work seamlessly with any other hue and so can be worn again and again for years on end with minimal styling fuss.

Because of this there are so many accessories of hers which we’ve seen her wear consistently for years and this is also true of many of her outfits. The Princess Royal has been known to step out in the exact same look for different events, like when she re-wore her floral coat and dress from Prince William and Kate’s wedding to a Garden Party in 2022.

Princess Anne’s purple cape and knee high kitten heel boots was the most *her* outfit for a cold day at Cheltenham races in 2016.

When it comes to her daily outfits the Princess Royal very much has a signature style and is a big fan of the best British clothing brands and practical pieces that will stand the test of time. She also loves a splash of bright colour and a silhouette that is a bit more statement - something we saw back in 2016 when she wore a bold purple cape styled with knee high boots to Cheltenham Races. As a retired equestrian herself, the King’s sister is a regular attendee of the races which are held every March and Princess Anne’s purple cape stood out from the crowd.

It was something a little different to the longline, fitted coats we often see the royals wear and yet it had the same level of smartness. The cape fell to just below her waist and featured a collar and trim in a deep purple tone. This also appeared to be a velvet fabric, which also provided a textural contrast to the tweed-style material of the rest of the cape.

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The soft mottled mauve shade was carried through into the covered buttons running down the front, whilst the deeper purple matched her velvet skirt perfectly. Purple hues might not be a staple in everyone’s winter capsule wardrobe, but this colour has always been a go-to for the Princess Royal. She certainly showed how striking purple can be on that cold March day and the drape of her cape was gorgeous and feminine.

A cape like this is a great choice if you want another cosy layer, but don’t want your arms to be as restricted as they can sometimes feel in a coat. They also work beautifully with a whole range of outfits, from jeans and your best wool jumpers, to a knitted midi dress and for an evening out, they are particularly chic.

Princess Anne wore her purple cape with a velvet skirt, a purple and blue patterned scarf tucked into the neckline and a pair of kitten heel knee high boots. Throughout the colder months the senior royal favours knee high designs and they are one of our favourite footwear choices for delivering coverage when the temperatures are low, as well as a sense of sophistication.

Kitten heeled boots work day to night and are a brilliant alternative to higher heels if stilettos just aren’t for you. The Princess Royal’s pair looked to have been made from suede or suede-esque material and were plain, except for the seam running up the front.

They tied in with some of her other accessories as she stepped out carrying a black leather handbag and wearing black gloves. The only other pop of colour was her navy blue Fedora hat which echoed some of the tones in her scarf. It was a bold look, with plenty of layers to keep her warm and we wouldn’t have expected anything less from Princess Anne.

Given how much she enjoys re-wearing her staple wardrobe pieces we also wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the Princess Royal bring back either her cape, her boots or even both together at some point before next spring. Either way, Princess Anne’s signature style is something we can’t help but admire as she stays true to who she is and what she loves to wear.

Princess Anne's dainty gold drop earrings are her go-to accessory for adding a dash of sparkle to her day to day dressing.

Alongside championing the best British clothing brands, Princess Anne is famous for loving practical staples and it’s perhaps unsurprising that she takes a similar, very wearable approach to her jewellery. Although she has plenty of magnificent diamond-encrusted pieces in her collection, she often opts for something more subtle day-to-day and Princess Anne’s dainty gold drop earrings are so stunning. They’ve been pulled out of her jewellery box many times over the years and the Princess Royal recently wore them to QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot. For this fun outing Princess Anne looked cosy in a camel coat, checked scarf and brown boots - all pieces that would be in many people’s winter capsule wardrobe.

Her earrings of choice were the perfect match for this neutral and timeless outfit and were just visible above the high collar of her coat. Crafted from what looked to be gold, the earrings consisted of a round stud and dangling from each one was a diamond-shaped drop.

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Whether or not this was the design intention, these drop details also resembled a four pointed star and they were beautifully pared-back, with no additional adornments. Princess Anne’s earrings were very dainty and understated which is in-keeping with her signature style and means that they’re also incredibly versatile when it comes to wearing them with outfits.

The Princess Royal has been spotted wearing these gold drop earrings several times over the past few years alone, including at Easter. Although there’s no-one who lives at Windsor Castle permanently, the Royal Family gather there every Easter and Princess Anne appeared to have her earrings on when she arrived for the traditional church service in March.

This time she wore them with an apple-green coat that had an asymmetric design and her earrings coordinated with her golden, cross shaped brooch pinned to one lapel. The King’s sister has also worn these earrings with a deep scarlet longline coat and knee high boots in February 2024 when she visited the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Regiment.

No matter the outfit, Princess Anne’s dainty gold drop earrings work seamlessly with it and add a dash of dazzle without being overwhelmingly sparkly or too much for the daytime or work. They strike the right balance between adding a bit of glamour and being low-key and this is something that will be a factor for many people when they’re deciding on their jewellery for the day.

A drop earring design also makes a lovely change from studs and depending on whether you want something that’s solid gold, gold-plated or gold-toned, you can find a huge range of earrings to give you a similar feel whilst still being quite affordable. We have a feeling that we’ll be seeing the Princess Royal wear her own gold drop earrings plenty more times to royal events and occasions this year.

She loves to re-wear her favourite pieces on rotation and does so with another pair of her earrings, her Grima Pearl Earrings. The Princess Royal wore these at King Charles and Queen Camilla’s wedding in 2005 and they feature a creamy white pearl set in a modern leaf-shaped design with diamonds. These are fabulous, though slightly more luxurious and precious, so it’s lovely to see her mix up her earring choices regularly.

Princess Anne was the epitome of cosy elegance in her snowy white coat and suede knee high boots on Christmas Day in 2023.

At this time of year when we’re bundled up in our layers it can sometimes feel hard to achieve a balance between practicality and stylishness with our outfits. However, Princess Anne has shown plenty of times over the years that cosiness and elegance do go hand-in-hand. The Princess Royal is a big fan of the best British clothing brands and has plenty of functional staples in her collection for when she ventures outside in the cold and wet weather. She tends to gravitate towards classic pieces and her white coat and suede boots are the epitome of this.

This combination was the basis of her Christmas Day outfit last year and she looked comfortable and chic as she walked to church with the rest of the Royal Family. Compared to other coat colours a white coat might not seem like the most practical tone for your winter capsule wardrobe, but paler colours like white and cream are neutrals and incredibly easy to wear, especially styled with warm or light shades.

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The contrast is then not quite as intense as it might be if you wore a darker coat, but still makes an impact. Like a black or camel coat, a white coat can also bring a sense of formality to an outfit that can help to dress up even a casual look like jeans and an oversized roll neck jumper.

Princess Anne’s snowy white coat had a higher neckline and a straight silhouette that allowed plenty of room for her to wear a dress or skirt underneath. This is a go-to style for her when it comes to coats and this one fell to just below her knees. The military-style buttons were large and covered in matching fabric, but there were no other adornments.

If you’re looking for a new winter coat, it’s always great to look out for simpler, timeless designs that suit you and your style. That way, they will never go out of style and will work seamlessly with the staples you already have. The Princess Royal took this approach again when it came to her footwear and opted for a pair of suede knee high boots.

Knee high boots are brilliant for cold days as they cover so much of your leg and the tan tone of Princess Anne’s boots looked lovely with her bright white coat. They had zips running up the sides, low block heels and what looked to be a few delicate tassels hanging down. These were a twist on the otherwise very classic design, but didn’t detract from their wearability.

We’ve seen the King’s sister wear these particular boots a few times before and this is very much in-keeping with her fashion ethos of re-wearing her favourite pieces time and time again. Princess Anne made her outfit even more cosy and chic with the addition of some chocolate brown leather gloves, a camel and grey £150 Highgrove Heritage scarf and brown suede bag.

Keeping to a warm neutral colour palette with her accessories allowed the white coat to shine and also gave her look a sense of cohesion. The gloves and bag were a darker shade of brown than her boots but they both had warm undertones which worked well together.

So many of these pieces will likely get re-worn this winter as Princess Anne returns to her old favourites and we can’t wait to see what outfit she steps out in on Christmas Day 2024.

Princess Anne looked so cosy-chic in her classic camel coat, mid-calf boots and a sentimental scarf as she enjoyed a day at the races.

Princess Anne has never been afraid to stick to her signature style and she loves championing the best British clothing brands and focusing on practicality. Steering away from trends, the Princess Royal prefers to invest in timeless staples and it doesn’t come much more classic than her knee length camel coat. She wore this on 19th October when she attended the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse and styled it with a pair of mid-calf length boots and a sentimental knitted scarf. Her Royal Highness looked cosy and chic in this outfit combination and her camel coat would be a brilliant addition to anyone’s winter capsule wardrobe.

She popped the collar and wore it with at least one button undone at the top, giving it a more relaxed feel and also giving a tiny glimpse at her chocolate brown outfit underneath. Princess Anne’s camel coat fell to her knees and had panelling to create a skirt-like drape.

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This is one of her favourite coat silhouettes for wearing with skirts or dresses underneath and allows room for their swathes of fabric. The camel tone was stunning and makes a great alternative to an equally classic black coat. Camels, beiges and tans work well with warm neutrals like khaki and brown, as well as with lighter shades like white or ecru, and can be a lovely way to lift the colour palette of an outfit.

Camel coats, especially tailored ones, can also give an outfit a smarter feel whilst still being a lovely pairing with casual looks like jeans and your best wool jumpers. Princess Anne accentuated the cosiness of her outfit for a day at the races with chocolate brown accessories that included mid-calf length boots.

Not everyone will be a big fan of knee high boots and mid-calf boots give your legs some extra coverage on chilly days without being quite so longline. The Princess Royal’s boots had slouchy sides and a band running along the top, as well as a flat heel that was totally in-keeping with her preference for functional clothing and footwear.

She coordinated her gloves to her boots, opting for deep brown leather gloves that she wore tucked inside her coat sleeves. The senior royal is regularly spotted wearing gloves to engagements and visits, even during summer, and matching her gloves to her boots gave this British Champions Day outfit a sense of cohesion.

She added even more warmth with her knitted scarf which had a striped design that incorporated camel, black and white in a checked pattern. According to Hello!, it’s understood that this scarf comes from King Charles’s country home, Highgrove House, and was allegedly gifted to her and other royals for Christmas last year.

This £150 Highgrove Heritage scarf is part of a collaboration between Highgrove House and The Prince’s Foundation. Made from merino wool, both Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence wore one when they walked to church on Christmas Day in 2023, as did their niece Lady Louise Windsor. If His Majesty did indeed give these scarfs to his family for Christmas, then the Princess Royal could be seen to have made a special nod to her brother with her recent outfit.

This is one of several visits to the Berkshire racecourse so far this year for Princess Anne, who is a former equestrian and continues to take a keen interest in the sport since retiring.

Princess Anne’s knee high boots are the perfect autumn footwear choice when you want maximum style and comfort combined.

There’s so much to consider when you’re putting together your autumn capsule wardrobe, from colour palette to silhouette, but there’s another factor that’s often overlooked - practicality. Princess Anne is the Queen of Practical Styling and she’s earned this reputation after years of putting together timeless yet chic outfits which always suit the weather. She’s not one to shy away from wearing gloves in spring if the weather is cold, or bringing out her best wellies in the rain when she’s out in the countryside. 

Princess Anne lives at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire which means a lot of time spent outdoors and when she wants to look stylish but be comfortable she reaches for a pair of trusty Dubarry knee high boots. They were her footwear of choice for an engagement on 13th September at the ISDS International Sheep Dog Trials in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

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The Princess Royal is the Patron of the International Sheep Dog Society and arrived for her visit in what looks to be a pair of chocolate brown Dubarry Galway knee high boots. Princess Anne’s knee high boots are a far cry from the suede Russell & Bromley pair that Queen Camilla loves, but they’re perfect for adding a countryside chic feel to an outfit and keeping your feet dry. 

The Galway boots are an investment at £379 and Woman&Home’s Digital Fashion Editor Caroline Parr believes it's one worth making as they get “better with age”.

"Dubarry boots are right up there with Barbour jackets as a country chic wardrobe staple, and can count everyone from Geri Halliwell to Duchess Sophie as fans,” explains Caroline. "The double strap design is very distinctive, they're about as practical as it gets, and brown tones are huge for autumn this year. The best news? They only get better with age, so it's an investment worth making."

The boots are waterproof and breathable, which was a great combination for Princess Anne at the Sheep Dog Trials. They’re also stunning, with their iconic stripes across the sides and although there are various shades available, the deep brown hue of the Princess Royal’s boots was fabulous and we've seen her wear them before.

A pair of brown knee high boots is such a staple to have in your collection as they are so easy to wear and work so well with earthy neutral shades like khaki, camel and beige. The senior royal styled her Dubarry boots with a pair of trousers tucked into them. These were a mossy green-grey shade and if you want to create a really streamlined look with your knee high boots then a pair of leggings, skinny jeans or other fitted trousers tuck in seamlessly.

To dress up a pair of more sturdy brown knee high boots, you can easily also wear them with a knitted midi dress and throw a longline coat over the top. Princess Anne chose to keep her outfit very casual and cosy on this chilly autumn day and added a black pea coat with a smart collar and layered what appeared to be a waterproof jacket over the top. 

Her vibrant scarf, featuring a pattern of yellow, purple, red and green shades, was tucked into the top of her coat, ensuring she was warm all day long. This was a quintessential Princess Anne look that we can all draw inspiration from this autumn - particularly when it comes to her boots.  

Princess Anne’s major responsibility that she shares with only King Charles and Prince William is seriously special and takes place behind palace doors.

A lot of what the Royal Family do might go on behind the scenes, but working royals also undertake plenty of high-profile public engagements. These range from overseas tours, to visiting patronages and attending military ceremonies. The Princess Royal is one of the most hard-working members of the Royal Family and given the immense amount of engagements she does, it’s perhaps no surprise we see her more than most as she carries out her duties. She’s now 17th in the royal line of succession, but she’s a key royal and alongside King Charles and Prince William, Princess Anne has one of the most prestigious responsibilities.

Investiture ceremonies take place annually at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, with some occasionally also held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. According to the Royal Family’s website, around 30 happen each year with over 60 recipients and these special occasions are hosted by "The King, The Princess Royal and The Prince of Wales".

It’s not stated whether or not any other working royals like Prince Edward or Queen Camilla could potentially take on this responsibility too. Inherently, it appears to be those who were born into the Royal Family who tend to undertake this duty. Either way, at the moment Princess Anne is seemingly the only royal woman who awards honours at these investiture ceremonies.

Given that the other two royals who host them are the King and the direct heir to the throne, it shows what a major responsibility this is. Those who are awarded honours have to wait until these ceremonies to receive their award insignia in person from one of these three. The honours recognise outstanding achievements, services to the UK and British Overseas Territories and personal bravery and so the awarding of them is unbelievably special and meaningful.

The Princess Royal is no stranger to these public-facing ceremonies and her continuing to have this responsibility could be seen as another sign of King Charles’s trust in his sister. Already he’s made this heart-warmingly clear since he ascended the throne by specifically requesting for her to become one of his Counsellors of State. Counsellors include the monarch’s spouse and the first four royals over the age of 21 in line to the throne. 

This was a significant move from His Majesty and Princess Anne’s commitment to her tireless schedule of royal duties has been as unwavering as ever in recent years. Back in 2020 ahead of her 70th birthday she expressed her opinion to Vanity Fair that retirement wasn’t on the cards for her in the same way as it is for other people.

"I don’t think retirement is quite the same [for me]," she said. "Most people would say we’re very lucky not to be in that situation because you wouldn’t want to just stop. It is, to a large extent, the choice of the organisations you’re involved with and whether they feel you’re still relevant."

Meanwhile, she previously explained to The Telegraph last year that she has "no idea" what she would have done as a profession in another life. Instead of worrying too much about this, she focuses on her vital work and believes it helps that she's always had a range of interests.

"It's way too late to have those concerns - in a way the fortunate part of my life has been the broad spectrum, to see so much. Not having a very specific interest has been a bonus, I suppose," she declared.