Princess Anne ‘couldn’t give two hoots’ about what she wears, says royal style expert

Royal tours are typically synonymous with glamorous gowns and wardrobes worth thousands, but Princess Anne’s recent jaunt proves that doesn’t have to be the case.

For the Princess Royal, 71, favours ‘practicality’ over any sort of trend, doesn’t give ‘two hoots’ about what she wears and is even happy to repeat an outfit in a week – something which it is difficult to imagine any of the younger royals doing.  

Anne, who travelled with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 67, impressed royal aides with her sense of duty as she toured Australia and Papua New Guinea, carrying out 20 engagements in just four days. 

The Princess Royal, who returned to Gatcombe Park on Wednesday, completed the trip without assistants, makeup artist or hairdressers, and even was seen carrying her bags herself out of her private jet.  

Princess Anne is pictured arriving in Australia ahead of her tour of Sydney and Papua New Guinea – where Her Majesty us still head of state – celebrate the Queen’s historic 70 years on throne

Stepping out with husband Timothy Laurence the royal opted for an asymmetrical suit dress paired with matching gloves and flat leather pumps on day two of her trip to Papua New Guinea

Stepping out with husband Timothy Laurence the royal opted for an asymmetrical suit dress paired with matching gloves and flat leather pumps on day two of her trip to Papua New Guinea 

While addressing the opening ceremony of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Bicentennial Sydney Royal Easter Show, Anne opted for a cream coat dress paired with a hat by milliner Amy Morris-Adams

While addressing the opening ceremony of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Bicentennial Sydney Royal Easter Show, Anne opted for a cream coat dress paired with a hat by milliner Amy Morris-Adams 

Bethan Holt noted in the Daily Telegraph: ‘My bet is that Anne couldn’t actually give two hoots about what she wears, mostly preferring practicality over studied glamour.

‘She seems to approach her wardrobe with the same attitude that she does her public role; unshowy but determined to do everything just right.’ 

Despite being five years over the official age of retirement no-nonsense Anne is annually one of the hardest working members of the royal family.  

Representing the Queen both at home and abroad, Anne frequently attends state and ceremonial occasions, conducting investitures and supporting more than 300 charities, organisations and military regiments. 

To celebrate the Queen’s historic 70 years on throne, the Princess Royal made an official visit to Sydney and Papua New Guinea, where the Her Majesty is still head of state. 

Upon her arrival at Jackson International Airport in Papua New Guinea on Monday, Anne donned a sturdy pinstriped pantsuit paired with block heels and a pale blue blouse

Upon her arrival at Jackson International Airport in Papua New Guinea on Monday, Anne donned a sturdy pinstriped pantsuit paired with block heels and a pale blue blouse

The Princess Royal opted for a green satin midi-dress with long peplum sleeves as she spoke at a reception for business leaders and politicians in Port Moresby

The Princess Royal opted for a green satin midi-dress with long peplum sleeves as she spoke at a reception for business leaders and politicians in Port Moresby

Anne donned a mint green coat dress with matching cartwheel-style hat and glitzy brooch as she opened the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Bicentennial Sydney Royal Easter Show

Anne donned a mint green coat dress with matching cartwheel-style hat and glitzy brooch as she opened the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Bicentennial Sydney Royal Easter Show

Accompanied by her equally down-to-earth husband and her private secretary Charles Davies, Anne flew to Sydney from Heathrow on Thursday last week and embarked on her first engagement hours after landing. 

Anne stepped out in a low-key ensemble as she greeted Australian dignitaries, donning a simple white shirt and navy blue blazer – adding a pop of colour with a vibrant scarf. 

The royal recycled variations of the outfit three times during her tour, making the decision to remain in the same ensemble for different royal engagements throughout the days. 

The royal frequently accessorised with her trust wrap-around sunglasses, something the Telegraph’s Tamara Abraham says reminds the public ‘Anne packed with function rather than fashion moments in mind’.

She spent the rest of the day at an Easter Show held by the Royal Agricultural Society to which she changed into a mint green coat dress with matching cartwheel-style hat and glitzy brooch.  

On various occasions throughout the tour Anne stepped  a simple white shirt and navy blue blazer - occasionally donning her famous wrap-around sunglasses

On various occasions throughout the tour Anne stepped a simple white shirt and navy blue blazer – occasionally donning her famous wrap-around sunglasses

Anne donned her pinstriped suit once again, this time with a white t-shirt, while touring the National Cardiac Diagnostic Centre, at the Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea

Anne donned her pinstriped suit once again, this time with a white t-shirt, while touring the National Cardiac Diagnostic Centre, at the Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea

Other standout outfits include an ornamental white lace blouse during a dinner at APEC Haus whilst attending a dinner with James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Other standout outfits include an ornamental white lace blouse during a dinner at APEC Haus whilst attending a dinner with James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea 

Later in the day, Anne wore a strikingly similar cream coat dress paired with the same hat in cream, both designed by milliner Amy Morris-Adams. 

Upon her arrival at Jackson International Airport in Papua New Guinea on Monday, Anne donned a sturdy pinstriped pantsuit – which she wore twice during the tour – paired with block heels and a pale blue blouse.  

Donning the same light tan colour, the royal opted for an asymmetrical suit dress paired with matching gloves and flat leather pumps on day two of her trip to Papua New Guinea. 

Other standout outfits include a green satin midi-dress with long peplum sleeves as she spoke at a reception for business leaders and politicians in Port Moresby and an ornamental white lace blouse during a dinner at APEC Haus. 

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