When it comes to fashion, the royals can always be counted upon to provide endless inspiration.
Yep, any given time Princess Catherine steps out, you can guarantee there’s a legion of followers wholeheartedly coveting her chic ensembles, who will then promptly work out exactly how to recreate these fabulous outfits.
And while it feels like Kate has set the fashion agenda for yonks, she’s certainly not the only royal who’s have had a huge influence on style in years gone by.
In fact, there’s one particular royal who embraced the key trends of her era like no other – Princess Anne.
Indeed Queen Elizabeth’s eldest daughter was in her element throughout the 1970s, which incidentally, was exactly when some of the boldest, brightest and most downright glorious fashions of our time were in their hey-day.
Lucky for us, Anne, who was in her 20s, was a prime example of everything we love about fashion from that decade.
That’s why we decided to take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of her most heavenly fashion moments in real life.
Below, you’ll find a royal who was the epitome of 1970s chic – and boy are our eyeballs glad for it.
01
As a new decade began, Anne was ready to tackle the trends of the era – right down to her voluminous early 1970s hair.
02
Attending horse trials in 1970 wearing a buttercup yellow ensemble, Anne proved she never missed an opportunity to put her best threads forward.
03
While on a visit to Australia that same year, Anne wore this unusual hat adorned with a giant fake insect.
04
In 1971, the Princess Royal attended the BAFTA awards wearing a chic moss green dress with a choker necklace. Two decades later, the bold accessory would make a serious comeback as a peak 1990s goth-gone-glam staple.
05
On a visit to Africa in 1971, Anne proved she (or at least her hairstylist) could nail this teased, voluminous ‘do like no other.
06
In one of the biggest weddings of the decade, Anne married captain Mark Phillips in 1973 wearing a gorgeous high-neck wedding dress featuring long flared sleeves.
07
While the high-neck style was synonymous with the 1970s, it’s still completely on-trend today. Ellie Goulding’s 2019 wedding was case in point – the singer’s heavenly gown was reportedly inspired by Anne’s wedding dress!
08
That same year, Anne embraced the Jackie Kennedy-esque pillbox hat with a twist.
09
And in a moment that we can only describe as pure heaven, Princess Anne embraced one of the most iconic 1970s trends while attending a London film premiere – flower power!
10
Seriously, we cannot get enough of this peak 70s get-up.
11
The Princess Royal was also not afraid of a cheeky scarf – this chic blue number finished her cool-girl casual look to perfection.
12
This rock ‘n roll inspired pant suit worn by Anne in 1973 is also a forever mood.
13
In 1975, Anne went fashionably rogue wearing this bright printed green shirt dress. Meghan Markle eat your heart out!
14
Bold and brave as ever, Anne opted for a bright teal frock featuring puff sleeves and a coated metallic fabric that very much commanded our attention.
15
For her official christening portraits with son Peter Phillips, Anne opted for a bright stripy blue number that gives Kate and Meg’s traditional white ensembles a run for their money.
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Anne once again gave the classic pillbox hat a twist, opting for this chic fur creation while visiting Gloucestershire in 1978.
17
Attending Royal Ascot in 1980, Anne’s trendy white and navy coat was glamorous as ever.
18
And we’ll wrap things up with Anne rocking one of the most iconic accessories of the 20th century – aviator sunnies.
