Let's delve into the fascinating world of royal hairdos and the unexpected hair icon that is Princess Anne. In a recently unearthed photo, the Princess Royal, then just 17, showcased a side to her style that many might not associate with her practical and efficient image. With long, 60s-inspired curls, she exuded a certain glamour that contrasted her usual, more reserved look.
What makes this particularly interesting is how hair can be a powerful form of self-expression, especially for women. Princess Anne's hair journey reflects her evolving role and the constraints of royal life. In her youth, she embraced a wilder, more free-flowing look, but as her responsibilities grew, so did her preference for practical and efficient hairstyles.
The photo from 1967 captures a rare moment of Anne letting her hair down, quite literally. With her brother, Prince Charles, she sported a polished yet relaxed ensemble, her hair parted at the side and featuring a voluminous, stylish curl. It's a departure from her usual updo, which she's famously loyal to, and a glimpse into her past experimentation with length and style.
One thing that stands out here is the commentary from HELLO!'s Deputy Beauty and Lifestyle Editor, Melanie Macleod. She describes Anne's childhood look as "wild" and expresses a desire to see the Princess Royal rock that shorter, voluminous style again. It's a reminder that even royalty can be trendsetters and that hair is a powerful tool for self-expression, no matter your age or status.
Anne's beauty looks have certainly evolved over the years. She's experimented with length, colour, and style, from curtain bangs to ashy blonde highlights and Rapunzel-style locks. But it's her practical approach to hair that has become her signature, a reflection of her no-nonsense attitude and busy royal schedule.
In a 2020 documentary, Princess Anne revealed that her hair and makeup routine takes a mere 10 to 15 minutes, a far cry from the hours actress Erin Doherty claimed it took to achieve the royal's look for The Crown. Cate Hall, the show's hair and makeup designer, created a "ladder wig" to replicate Anne's famously thick and wavy hair, a testament to the importance of hair in portraying the royal's character and her ability to express herself within the confines of her role.
So, while Princess Anne may not be known for her hair experimentation in recent years, her past hairstyles offer a glimpse into her journey and the evolving nature of her role. It's a reminder that even the most practical of royals can have a fun and glamorous side, and that hair is a powerful tool for self-expression, no matter the decade or the constraints of royal life.
