Introduction to Princess Anne’s Fashion
Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, was born in 1950 and became a synonym for properly tailored coats and British designers. Her approach to royal fashion is regarded as both a duty and a distinctive art form.
1950s
Princess Anne was born on August 15, 1950, two years after her brother King Charles. As a young royal and the only daughter of the queen, Anne was dressed in tea-line dresses with map-sleeves and pumps or plim solo – a style choice that the royals have not strayed far from to this day, as can be seen in Princess Charlotte’s wardrobe.
1960s
As a teenager, Anne leaned into the silhouettes of the 1960s and wore A-line swing dresses, rock suits, and Peter Pan collars. Like her mother, she was not deterred by color and regularly wore monochromatic ensembles from hat to shoe – a visual signature that would remain part of her royal repertoire.
1970s
In her 20s, it was clear that the princess had stepped into her father’s footsteps and was often discovered in riding, shooting, or sailing equipment – including Breton striped shirts and relaxed white jeans. In 1973, the palace announced Anne’s engagement to Captain Mark Phillips. The couple met through their shared love of horses at a party held by riding enthusiasts in 1968. Princess Anne wore a blazer with sweets, paired with a knee-length pleated skirt with tartan details from Peach-Tartan.
1970s Wedding and Motherhood
The princess wore a Tudor-style wedding dress, which was designed by Maureen Baker – complete with trumpet sleeves and a high collar. In the following year, the princess was the target of a kidnapping attempt by Ian Ball, who held a pistol and demanded that she get out of the car. As is well known, Anne replied: "Not bloody likely!". In 1977, the princess and Phillips welcomed their first child, Peter. Anne’s children were born without a title when she rejected the Queen’s offer of an Earldom for her husband after her marriage to Phillips.
1980s
Zara Phillips was born in 1981, and Anne’s maternity clothing, especially when she was seen wearing clothes with Peter, became common before the recycling of the royal wardrobe became commonplace. The princess was not immune to the excessive trends of the 1980s, often named with puffed sleeves, bold plaids, and many duchess-satin dresses – a fabric with a high sheen, fitting for her aristocratic ties.
1990s
The nineties saw a different style emerge for the princess. She landed on a silhouette that she still sports today and became a staunch fan of the coat dress. While Anne rarely took part in riding competitions, she was still discovered on her horse on hunting trips in England.
2000s
In the 2000s, Anne experimented less with color and adhered to a natural palette of blue, green, and neutral for official engagements. She visited the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2005, wearing a blue coat with cornflowers and a coordinating hat, which was assumed to be designed by Sue Palmer, a longtime designer in Anne’s rotation.
2010s
In 2010, Anne became a grandmother for the first time after the birth of Savannah Anne Kathleen, the daughter of her son Peter and his Canadian wife Autumn Kelly. Her style followed the rhythm of her royal ethos – intelligent, neutral, and under the radar. In this decade, classic camel coats, box-shaped handbags, and silk scarves became stalwart favorites – and imitated her mother’s practical royal wardrobe.
2020s
In the past five years, Anne has returned to some of her brave fashion institutions and has revived her preference for lively colors, floral prints, and strong silhouettes. She is still loyal to her beloved A-line coats and worn accessories and has accepted statement coats, jewel-toned tartan ensembles. Regardless of whether she visits state banquets or cheers on the sidelines, the Princess Royal remains a unique icon in a no-nonsense style for fashion that works hard and speaks volumes without saying a word.
