Princess Anne has an eclectic sense of style. She’s rocked chic suits, riding gear, evening glamour and even Adidas sunglasses.
Personal stylist, image coach and personal shopper Melissa Lund spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the Princess Royal’s “wildest” looks ever, claiming she has not always dressed like a stereotypical royal.
Melissa told Express.co.uk: “I think Princess Anne is fabulous, because I don’t think she gives two hoots about what anyone thinks of her lifestyle or fashion choices!
“Princess Anne has certainly sported some controversial looks over the years. In fact, I think of her as the original royal rebel.”
According to the expert, a young Princess Anne did not go by the rule book. Melissa stated: “Anne started wearing trouser suits in public in the late 60s/early 70s and she wore short skirts.
“None of this seems at all out of the ordinary or remotely edgy to us today but at the time, there were places where women were not allowed to wear trousers– hard to believe, but true.
“In 1968 the American Socialite, Nan Kempner, caused a stir because, dressed in a Saint Lauent tux suit, a swanky Manhattan restaurant refused to allow her to come in. Her solution was toremove the trousers and wear the jacket and her knickers!”
The expert also suggested the Princess may not have paid too much attention to the Queen’s personal tastes.
She claimed: “We also have to consider Anne’s choices against the backdrop of what the late Queen Elizabeth II liked (or rather didn’t like).
“The Queen famously didn’t like women in trousers or short skirts (she didn’t like knees, apparently). Wedges, bare legs and nail polish were also vetoed.”
Ever the sustainable fashionista, Princess Anne is very accustomed to wearing her looks again and again. Melissa said: “Princess Anne is known to recycle her clothes but unlike the Princess of Wales, she doesn’t seem to alter them at all.
“The clothes get retired for a while (several decades sometimes) and they are then reworn, exactly as they were.”
As for the “fashion forward” looks sported by Anne over the years, Melissa argued that there have been many, including trousers, jeans and trouser suits, mini-skirts and dresses, and military uniforms with trousers.
She made a particular reference to a bubblegum coat dress the Princess wore back in 1969, at the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.
The Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Princess Anne were all pictured together wearing dresses. Princess Margaret also wore a shorter-length coat dress, but Anne’s was “the shortest”.
Melissa Lund is a personal stylist, personal shopper and image coach.