When she stepped out in February wearing a purple jacket that once belonged to her beloved mother Queen Elizabeth II, the Princess Royal was praised for her touching gesture.
But her choice of outfit also spoke volumes about the way she approaches fashion.
For although Princess Anne has long been one of the most hardworking members of the royal family, notching up 457 engagements last year, she also has one of the most hard-working wardrobes in public life.
Like her brother the King, Anne, 73, is often pictured wearing pieces that date back decades.
Her timeless style and striking choice of military uniform at the coronation even inspired a recent menswear collection by the Italian fashion house Fendi, with designer Silvia Venturini Fendi describing her as “the most elegant woman in the world”.
So what does the Princess make of this accolade? “I would say that she might be a little bit mystified by this,” Paul Alger, director of internationalbusinessdevelopment at the UK Fashion and Textiles Association, tells HELLO!.
“I don’t think she sees herself as a style icon. I’ve heard that suggestion made to her and she usually gives a slightly strange expression, as though it’s not something she is particularly comfortable with.”
AHEAD OF THE GAME
Paul, who works closely with the Princess in her role as president of the association, says: “I have heard her describe herself as an early adopter of making do and mend.
“I have heard her speak with companies where somebody has said: ‘We gave you this,’ or: ‘You bought this,’ or: ‘We saw you in this in 1997.’ And she will always say: ‘I think you’ll find it’s still in the wardrobe,’ in a self-deprecating way. She’s always been about upcycling and rewearing.”
Anne has made up to ten visits a year for the association since taking on the role in 1985 and frequently turns down gifts of new clothing from member organisations.
“The Princess will only take something if she genuinely wants it and feels that she can help the company by wearing it,” Paul says.
Citing a visit with her to Gloverall, which manufactures duffel coats, he says she politely declined to take home a new model of the coat they had given her on a previous visit, telling her hosts that “she’d had it for 40 years and it was still going strong”.
