5 Decades Of Style: The Shocking Details Behind Princess Anne's New Hairstyle That Broke The Internet

Contents

The world of royal watchers was sent into a frenzy this year, December 2025, when Princess Anne, the famously steadfast Princess Royal, debuted a completely new hairstyle for the first time in five decades. After maintaining her iconic '60s-inspired bouffant updo for over 50 years, the subtle yet seismic shift to a polished, elegant chignon has been hailed as one of the most historic and unexpected royal style transformations in modern history. This change, seen prominently in her official 75th birthday portrait and at a high-profile state banquet, signals a thoughtful evolution in the style of Britain's hardest-working royal, proving that even the most enduring style signatures can embrace a fresh chapter.

This dramatic departure from her signature look—a style she has worn to thousands of public engagements since the 1970s—has generated a massive wave of global curiosity. The new 'do is not just a simple change; it is a meticulously crafted, low chignon that perfectly complements her formal regalia and the dazzling tiaras in her collection, including the beloved Festoon Tiara. The transformation offers a fresh, contemporary elegance while maintaining the disciplined, no-fuss aesthetic that has defined the Princess Royal's public image for half a century.

The Princess Royal: A Full Biography and Style Profile

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, is one of the most respected and recognisable members of the British Royal Family. Her life has been one of unwavering service, equestrian excellence, and a famously consistent style.

  • Full Name: Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise
  • Title: Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Since 1987)
  • Born: August 15, 1950, at Clarence House, London, England
  • Parents: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
  • Sibling: King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
  • Marital Status: Married to Sir Timothy Laurence (Second Marriage); Previously married to Captain Mark Phillips
  • Children: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall
  • Key Achievements: Competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as a member of the British equestrian team; The first member of the British Royal Family to have competed in the Olympic Games.
  • Royal Role: A full-time working royal, she is patron or president of over 200 organisations, consistently topping the list for the number of public engagements completed annually.

For decades, her style was instantly identifiable by her '60s-inspired bouffant—a voluminous, swept-up updo that was as much a part of her uniform as her signature tailored coats and hats. This consistency was a reflection of her no-nonsense, dedicated approach to royal duty, making any change a monumental event.

The Historic Debut: From Bouffant to the Elegant Chignon

The transition from the voluminous bouffant to the sleek chignon was not a sudden, single event, but a carefully orchestrated reveal across two major royal occasions, solidifying the look as her "new" style for the public.

The 75th Birthday Portrait: The First Glimpse

The initial buzz began with the release of Princess Anne's official portrait ahead of her 75th birthday in August 2025. Royal fans and fashion critics alike were stunned to see the Princess Royal’s hair styled in a smooth, elegant chignon instead of her usual voluminous updo.

This new look traded height for sophistication. The chignon, a classic balletic updo, featured a neat, low bun at the nape of her neck, offering a softer frame to her face. Experts noted that the style immediately gave her a more modern and refined appearance, perfectly suited to the gravitas of a milestone birthday portrait. This particular style was praised for its sleekness and the way it drew attention to her strong features and the formal attire.

The French State Dinner: The Tiara Test

The second, and perhaps most definitive, outing for the new hairstyle was at a glamorous French State Dinner at Windsor Castle. For a state banquet, the hair must be able to support a tiara, and Princess Anne used this occasion to showcase how the chignon seamlessly integrated with her royal jewellery.

She wore the style as a "twisted chignon," which was positioned low to allow the historic Festoon Tiara to sit perfectly on her head. The chignon’s smooth lines and lack of volume provided a clean, uncluttered canvas, allowing the brilliance of the tiara and her diamond necklace to take centre stage. This subtle but significant style choice confirmed the new look was a permanent, functional update to her royal wardrobe, designed for both casual and high-protocol events.

The Style Analysis: Why the Change is a Royal Fashion Landmark

For a royal who has been a pillar of consistency for over five decades, any style change is a major event. The shift from the '60s bouffant to the elegant chignon is a royal fashion landmark for several reasons, touching on themes of topical authority, practicality, and personal evolution.

The Practicality of the Chignon

The original bouffant was a complex, voluminous hairdo that required significant styling time, often attributed to her long-time hairdresser, Dawn Murphy, who was recently honoured with a Royal Victorian Medal for her service. While the bouffant was a signature, the modern chignon is often viewed as a more practical, secure, and slightly more comfortable option for a working royal involved in hundreds of engagements a year. The low chignon, in particular, is less susceptible to wind and weather, offering a sleek, polished look that lasts all day.

A Nod to Modern Royal Elegance

The chignon is a style frequently adopted by other senior members of the Royal Family, including Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Queen Camilla. By adopting this style, Princess Anne is subtly aligning her look with the contemporary aesthetic of the monarchy, while still maintaining her unique, mature grace. The sleekness of the chignon contrasts sharply with the "messy waves and undone buns" popular in general fashion, offering an unapologetically polished and disciplined look that is quintessentially Anne.

The Public Reaction and Style Legacy

The public reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly positive, with the change "stunning the internet." Many celebrated the move as a fresh, softening look that highlights the Princess Royal's enduring beauty. The decision to change a hairstyle worn for half a century showcases a willingness to evolve and adapt, even in the most entrenched aspects of her public persona. The bouffant will forever be her style signature, but the chignon marks a new, elegant chapter in the life of one of the monarchy's most steadfast figures.

Key Entities and LSI Keywords for Topical Authority

The discussion around Princess Anne's new look is rich with royal and fashion entities that solidify its place in history. These entities are crucial to understanding the full context of her style evolution:

  • The Hairstylists: Dawn Murphy (Princess Anne's current hairdresser, honoured by King Charles III) and Denise McAdam (former Royal Family hairdresser for over 30 years).
  • The Tiara: The Festoon Tiara, which was perfectly showcased by the low chignon at the French State Dinner.
  • The Style Elements: '60s-inspired bouffant, beehive updo, low chignon, twisted chignon, balletic updo, and sleek updo.
  • The Events: 75th Birthday Portrait, French State Dinner, Windsor Castle, and the Montreal Olympic Games (1976).
  • The Royal Family: King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen Camilla, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Ultimately, Princess Anne's decision to embrace the elegant chignon is more than a hairstyle change; it is a powerful statement of personal evolution and enduring royal style, proving that even the most consistent figures are capable of a stunning, modern refresh after 50 years of dedicated service. The "new hairstyle" is a testament to the Princess Royal's timeless elegance and her continued relevance in the modern monarchy.

princess anne new hairstyle
princess anne new hairstyle

Detail Author:

  • Name : Belle Casper
  • Username : wolff.isabella
  • Email : kassandra18@sawayn.net
  • Birthdate : 1981-07-04
  • Address : 406 Vern Forges North Kyler, OR 44331-0620
  • Phone : 747.509.1428
  • Company : Pagac LLC
  • Job : Farm and Home Management Advisor
  • Bio : Aperiam ut non sit aspernatur ut optio. Unde hic in explicabo vero vero. Dolor quia ratione dolorum dolores fugit. Vitae at magnam quaerat ratione.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/howelle
  • username : howelle
  • bio : A hic provident dolores ipsum odio ducimus doloremque et. Pariatur aspernatur itaque sit veritatis. Odit dicta nisi nihil culpa porro rerum molestiae et.
  • followers : 311
  • following : 1765

linkedin:

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/erik_howell
  • username : erik_howell
  • bio : Id minima adipisci dolor maxime voluptatem voluptas beatae.
  • followers : 2839
  • following : 231

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/erik4634
  • username : erik4634
  • bio : Assumenda ipsa animi ut molestiae nam. Neque aliquam dolorem rerum voluptas dolores.
  • followers : 3464
  • following : 1107