Could Anne be the thriftiest royal ever? Princess, 67, unearths her favourite outfit AGAIN - nearly four decades ago after she first wore it at Ascot in 1980

  • The Princess Royal, 67, recycled an old favourite at the Commonwealth Service 
  • Eagle-eyed fans spotted the cream and navy jacket once more yesterday - almost 40 years after the royal first wore it to attend Royal Ascot back in 1980
  • Cost-conscious princess has  worn the now vintage piece nine times in total
  • The military-style coat is actually older than Anne's youngest child Zara Tindall 

In a chic navy and cream ensemble, Princess Anne looked perfectly on point yesterday as she joined the other royals at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey. 

However, the sharp tailoring belied an outfit that is actually nearly 40 years old, and was first worn by the 67-year-old Princess Royal at Ascot in 1980.

While younger generations of the Windsors, including the Duchess of Cambridge, are already past-masters at recycling their favourite couture, Princess Anne is the ultimate time-warp princess when it comes to fashion. 

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That coat is older than Zara! Princess Anne first wore the stylish cream and navy ensemble alongside the Queen at Ascot in 1980, nearly 40 years ago

That coat is older than Zara! Princess Anne first wore the stylish cream and navy ensemble alongside the Queen at Ascot in 1980, nearly 40 years ago

After airing the stylish long jacket again in 1985, 1988 and 1990, Princess Anne then didn't wear it again until the Duke of Edinburgh's garden party in June 2015 

After airing the stylish long jacket again in 1985, 1988 and 1990, Princess Anne then didn't wear it again until the Duke of Edinburgh's garden party in June 2015 

And yesterday, joining the younger generation of royals, also in navy and cream, at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey

And yesterday, joining the younger generation of royals, also in navy and cream, at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey

The outfit, by an unknown designer, has been worn by Princess Royal at least eight times before, with the earliest outing alongside Princess Margaret at Ascot in 1980. 

Anne first sported the military-style cream coat with cap and bag, shoes and gloves in 1980 with pearl earrings and a Grima brooch.

It was deja-vu in 1985 and 1988. By 1990, at a rainy Royal Ascot, Anne moved her brooch to the centre of her coat. The look — minus umbrella — returned in 2011 for the Duke Of Edinburgh's 90th birthday.

She updated her headwear with feathers and bows at a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2015 to honour the Duke of Edinburgh. 

And yesterday, it appeared to be a fashion re-run of that day, albeit with a sharper pair of navy heels bringing the look up to date.   

Looking the spitting image of her daughter Zara, Princess Anne was just 38 when she first wore the outfit. Pictured left, with her aunt, Princess Margaret in 1980

Looking the spitting image of her daughter Zara, Princess Anne was just 38 when she first wore the outfit. Pictured left, with her aunt, Princess Margaret in 1980

The time-warp princess! A 38-year-old Anne strides forth in the outfit at the beginning of the 80s during the race meeting at Ascot

The time-warp princess! A 38-year-old Anne strides forth in the outfit at the beginning of the 80s during the race meeting at Ascot

Carrying a colourful posy, Princess Anne was matched from head-to-toe in shades of navy and cream yesterday  - and the outfit still looked perfectly on trend

Carrying a colourful posy, Princess Anne was matched from head-to-toe in shades of navy and cream yesterday  - and the outfit still looked perfectly on trend

In the early years the jacket would be worn with a military-style cap but Anne has gone for a wide-brimmed affair in recent years

In the early years the jacket would be worn with a military-style cap but Anne has gone for a wide-brimmed affair in recent years

There did appear to be a royal fashion memo issued to the female members of the royal family after they appeared to look as if they had agreed to co-ordinate as they attended the annual Commonwealth Day service in shades of navy and white.

Meghan Markle looked glamorous in a white coat by Amanda Wakeley, teamed with a navy dress and matching suede heels while the Duchess of Cambridge, 36, continued her run of blue outfits, stepping out in a navy coat and dress by Beulah London matched with a recycled hat from Lock & Co.

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