Princess Anne turned heads at Windsor Castle this week—without saying a single word. On the evening of July 8, the Princess Royal surprised royal watchers with a rare and unexpected change to her signature hairstyle, trading in her usual bouffant for something entirely new.
The 74-year-old royal attended the state banquet hosted in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, who are visiting the UK for a three-day state trip. As guests arrived at Windsor Castle for the grand diplomatic evening, all eyes were on Princess Anne’s elegant new look.
Known for her no-fuss, consistent approach to royal style, Anne opted for a sleek chignon instead of her traditional voluminous updo. Cameras caught a glimpse of the revamped look as she arrived just behind Prince William and Kate Middleton, offering a clear view of her hair swept back in a graceful, unexpected twist.
Adding even more sparkle to the occasion, Princess Anne paired the chic chignon with the dazzling Festoon Tiara—a piece she’s owned since 1973. The diamond tiara added a glimmering finish to her subtly modern makeover.
This hair transformation marks the first time in decades that the Princess Royal has strayed from her trusted hairstyle. She first embraced the bouffant look back in the mid-1980s and has rarely veered from it since, making this change all the more surprising.
Anne’s consistent hairstyle has long been associated with her disciplined and practical personality, reflecting her well-known dedication to royal duty. Often ranked as the most hardworking member of the royal family, the Princess Royal is famous for her packed schedule of public engagements each year.
Even Hollywood has taken note of her signature look. When The Crown actress Erin Doherty played a young Princess Anne, she remarked on how time-consuming the hairstyle was to recreate. However, Anne herself offered a different perspective in the 2020 documentary Princess Royal: Anne at 70.
“Actually, I read an article the other day about the — I don’t watch Netflix and The Crown, but the actress was talking about how long it took them to do their hair like I did. And I’m thinking, ‘How could you possibly take that long?’ I mean, it takes me 10 or 15 minutes,” Anne shared in the film.