Princess Anne, Princess Royal during Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024 in London, England. Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial parade celebrating the official birthday of the British Monarch.

Real reason Princess Anne doesn't dress like other royal ladies during Trooping the Colour

The Princess Royal always wears the same military uniform for royal events

Lifestyle Managing Editor

Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer

June 17, 2024Jun 17, 2024, 4:52 PM GMT+1

Princess Anne looked nothing short of spectacular as she donned her military uniform to travel on horseback for the King's Birthday Parade on Saturday.

In a day which saw the Princess of Wales make a spectacular return to the spotlight in a bow-adorned white dress, Queen Camilla look divine in baby blue and the Duchess of Edinburgh turn heads in a lemon yellow ensemble, royal fans may be wondering why royalty's most stylish fashion muse, Princess Anne, wore a military uniform on the day.

WATCH: Princess Anne controls her unruly horse during Trooping the Colour parade

As Colonel of the Blues and Royals, the 73-year-old royal wore a Full Mounted Ceremonial uniform of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons).

She donned her full regalia to travel on horseback down the Mall, joined by Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh.

princess anne trooping the colour 2024 — Princess Anne travelled on horseback down The Mall

The trio proudly wore the Collars of the Order of the Garter and Sash of the Order of the Thistle, with the Princess Royal looking smart in her bicorn hat, jodhpurs and riding boots.

Onlookers might be wondering why Anne was the only female member of the royal family to wear a uniform. Royals with military and naval connections have worn military dress on state occasions since the 19th century.

The Princess is patron of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity as well as being Commodore-in-Chief for Portsmouth.

Although she hasn't actually served in the military like her brothers Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, she is an honorary Rear Admiral, and takes her role very seriously.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor and the Princess Royal, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, following the Trooping the Colour ceremony — Sophie and Edward stood with Lady Louise and Princess Anne

The Princess Royal carries out hundreds of engagements with her military patronages and affiliations every year and usually tops the hardest working royal list.

Best fashion moments of Trooping the Colour

Kate attends Trooping the Colour 2024 with Prince George and Princess Charlotte

Royal ladies who didn't travel on horseback took the opportunity to dress for the occasion, dazzling in British fashion labels and turning heads with their marvellous millinery.

Princess Kate looked divine in a fitted white dress adorned with a nautical navy and white striped bow.

Princess Charlotte looking up at mum Kate Middleton — Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte wore co-ordinating outfits

Princess Charlotte was the image of her mother in a nautical navy dress complete with a sailor's collar, twinning with Princess Kate as the mother-daughter duo tied their looks together with pretty bow details.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise Windsor stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024 in London, England — Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh looked radiant in lemon yellow

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh opted for a citrus yellow dress complete with a ruffled trim and fluted sleeves.

Sign up to Royal Style and discover the latest royal fashion moments

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.