We Love Kate and Meghan, But Royal Style Doesn't Get Better Than Princess Anne's

by Isabel Mundigo-Moore

What do Princess Diana's polka dots, the Queen's matching suit sets, Kate Middleton's coats and everything Meghan Markle wears have in common? They're more prevalent as ever in 2018. However, there is one member of the royal family who deserves a closer look: Princess Anne.

In the shadow of her mum, Queen Elizabeth II, you may not have noticed Princess Anne has been low-key defying our ideas of royal style. From her big-hat obsession (who knew?) and endless stream of Pucci prints and matching accessories to her visor sunglasses and tweeds, Princess Anne has consistently thrown style curveballs over the years and needs be celebrated.

Keep scrolling to see some of Princess Anne's most iconic outfits, most of which are served with a perfect amount of style sass.

Princess Anne Royal Style: White maternity cape with black bag

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Style Notes: Like her mum, Princess Anne loves to match—but with a twist. Layering a plain cape on top? Brilliant.

Princess Anne Royal Style: Yellow coat with match hat and black bag

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Style Notes: Sorry, Pharrell and Boy George—Princess Anne was into OTT hats way before us all. I wish we could see the back just take note of the size of that bow.

Princess Anne Royal Style: Rainbow flower prairie dress

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Style Notes: Calling all designers, everywhere: Make this dress. Oh, 2019's prairie dress trend for a night out? Dreamy.

Princess Anne Royal Style: Green pattern print dress with white bag and gloves

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Style Notes: If you look past the amazingly lime-green jungle hat and mad print dress, there's a style trick we need to resurface: Can we please bring back matching our gloves and bags?

Princess Anne Royal Style: White suit and visor sunglasses

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Style Notes: Obviously, Princess Anne is more of a hypebae than Kim Kardashian West. Her commitment to visor sunglasses has been unwavering for years.

Princess Anne Royal Style: Green dress jacket and white bag

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Style Notes: If I saw this jacket on any of the vintage Instagram accounts I follow, I'd snap it up quick. It's just another reason to wear sage green next year.

Princess Anne Royal Style: Brown checked blazer and newsboy hat

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Style Notes: I'm imagining that both the hat and jacket are Prince Charles's and she tossed them on before running out of the palace for an off-duty ride. Chic.

Princess Anne Royal Style: Green satin dress and white belt

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Style Notes: The mod years were excellent for Princess Anne. She belted a satin gown!

Princess Anne Royal Style: White lace dress and gold heels

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Style Notes: Pairing white lace dresses with gold heels is such an underrated party outfit. The pearl and metallic party bag just make this look a masterpiece.

Princess Anne Royal Style: Purple floral maxi dress

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Style Notes: This dress is one part "I'm a royal in the '80s" and one part "I'm headed to a disco after this." Sassy!

Princess Anne Royal Style: Orange and white print dress and short yellow cardigan

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Style Notes: Not sure if layering a button-down tee over a dress is allowed under royal protocol, but it's a yes in my books. 

Princess Anne Royal Style: Blue knit jumper and jeans with bandana

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Style Notes: Amid the prints and large hats, this off-duty outfit might just be my favourite. I love that her and baby Peter Phillips have matching red roll-necks.

Up Next: Of Course, Princess Diana Has Inspired All of 2018's Top Party Trends