Princess Anne showcased her legendary commitment to sustainable fashion on Wednesday evening, wearing a cream-coloured coat she first donned 57 years ago. The 75-year-old Princess Royal attended a banquet at Windsor's St George's Hall hosted by King Charles for the first Nigerian state visit in nearly four decades.
Eagle-eyed royal watchers identified the floor-length garment as the same coat she wore aged 18 in June 1969 to the London premiere of Run Wild, Run Free. Dressmakers have made subtle alterations over the decades, including replacing the collar with a more traditional shape and plain material.
Anne paired the historic coat with a City of London diamond choker, an heirloom piece previously gifted to Queen Mary and rarely seen in public. The princess has long been celebrated for rewearing and repurposing her wardrobe, once remarking: 'A good suit goes on forever. If it is properly made and has a classic look, you can wear it ad infinitum. The economy was bred into me.'
This is not the first time Anne has made headlines for her thrifty fashion choices. In November, she rewore a safari-style trouser suit 52 years after its debut in 1973. She has also repeatedly worn a lilac coat on at least six royal engagements between 1982 and 2004, and a satin gown first seen at the 1984 Bafta Awards was later worn to the Save The Children Festival in 2001.
