Trooping the Colour: Why Princess Anne isn't dressed like the other royal ladies
The Princess Royal rode on horseback for the parade on June 14
Today at Trooping the Colour, Princess Anne can be seen wearing a very different ensemble compared to her fellow royal ladies.
So you might be wondering: Why does Princess Anne wear a uniform when the other ladies wear dresses?
Here is everything you need to know…
Princess Anne’s uniform at Trooping the Colour
Undoubtedly, Princess Anne looks wonderful in her military uniform, especially on horseback.
The Princess Royal, 74, manages to stand out amongst the 1,400 parading soldiers during the televised procession.
Although some may expect the princess to wear dresses, skirts and hats like the other royal ladies at engagements, at big events like today, to mark the king’s official birthday, Princess Anne returns to her roots.
Royals, like Anne, with military and naval connections have worn military dress on state occasions since the 19th century and 2025 is no exception.
As Colonel of the Blues and Royals, Princess Anne sported a Full Mounted Ceremonial uniform of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons).
Princess Anne’s special role at Trooping the Colour 2025
Because of her title, Anne followed the procession on horseback, rather than riding in the carriage alongside her relatives.
She also took on the role of the Gold Stick-in-Waiting, a ceremonial bodyguard to the sovereign.
Anne looked spectacular in her full regalia to travel on horseback down The Mall. Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, also rode on horseback alongside Princess Anne, due to their own military ties.
The Princess Royal looks especially at home wearing her hat with a red plume, paired with white jodhpurs and black riding boots.
Princess Anne has a number of medals pinned to her uniform.
Princess Anne’s medals
The Princess Royal is adorned in these medals as follows: The Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Naval Long Service and the Good Conduct Medal, Canadian Forces Decoration, Order of St John Service Medal, and New Zealand 1990 Medal.
The Princess Royal’s military background
The princess is patron of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity as well as being Commodore-in-Chief for Portsmouth.
Anne hasn’t actually served in the military like her brothers Charles and Prince Andrew but she is an honorary Rear Admiral.
Since 2020, she has served as a General in the British Army and an Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
The princess carries out hundreds of engagements with her military patronages and affiliations every year.
She has been dubbed one of the hardest working royals multiple times over the years.
Today, all those in military dress also wore a black armband to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic Air India crash on June 12.
Those taking part in the parade also observed a minute’s silence to commemorate the victims of the tragedy.
Read more: Trooping the Colour: Prince Louis caught watching dad William in adorable moment
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