Princess Anne, known for her signature bouffant hairstyle, has been a prominent figure in the British royal family for decades. Over the years, she has showcased an array of hairstyles that reflect both her personal style and the evolving trends within the royal family. Throughout the hairstyles we have seen on her since the 1970s, she has generally preferred an updo. Beyond this, her lived hair experience is a portrait of styles that were fashionable during her formative years.
As a young girl, Princess Anne’s look was very different from the iconic bouffant hairstyle she’s known for now. At only 13 years old in 1963, she was hardly recognizable. Her fresh, new sensibility was an early sign of the role she would take on as a modern-day royal. As she moved into the adult world, her hairstyles began to turn heads. At official receptions, she unflinchingly played with artful silhouettes, carving an individualistic style that turned heads.
Hairstyles of the 1970s
The 1970s were the most important years for the evolution of Princess Anne’s hair. For a relatively formal occasion in 1970, she wore her hair half-up. She decorated it quite beautifully with Kate’s bridal tiara, softening the look and giving her a very youthful appearance. Princess Anne was known to be in an extremely rare mood as she decided to wear her hair down in public. Except in the later years, she started to favor updos more often.
She gained national attention a second time in 1971 after she appeared on stage to present an award while wearing her hair in a knotted bun. Her very serious outfit was clearly a signal that she took the business of formal events very seriously. What it illuminated was her increasing confidence in her royal role. She dabbled in different fashions all across the decade. At the Burghley Horse Trials in 1975, she wore a hunter queen, shiny, long ponytail demonstrating her adaptability.
The Signature Bouffant Updo
Since the late 1970s, Princess Anne has owned her signature bouffant updo. She has worn this colorful crown proudly for more than 40 years. This vintage-inspired ‘do has been her signature style ever since. It demonstrates the heritage and culture of the imperial family. When not wearing it up in rouleaux she wears it down with dramatic accessories. On her first public debut at Royal Albert Hall, she wore the stunning Cartier Halo tiara, taking her glam to another level.
Princess Anne’s distinctive fashion sense emphasizes her place in the royal hierarchy. Finally, it speaks to her great individual aesthetic and capacity to pivot. In the past, she has worn a variety of hairstyles. The bouffant updo has continued to be her hairstyle of choice for fancy events, emphasizing her commitment to the strictness of royal propriety.
Modern-Day Appearances
During the 2024 QIPCO British Champions Day, Princess Anne was involved in Secretariat’s return. She displayed her beautiful brown tresses, coiffed to perfection in an updo, at Ascot Racecourse. This appearance reaffirmed her status as a fashion icon within royal circles while maintaining the classic elements that have defined her look for years.
Princess Anne sure does enjoy a good updo. To see the way her hairstyles grew and changed over time is mesmerizing. From her youthful experimentation to the iconic bouffant style she is known for today, each hairstyle narrates a story of growth and adaptation amid changing fashions and royal expectations.
