Princess Anne's wardrobe recycling

Jul 21, 2008, 11:15 GMT

Britain's Princess Anne has caused a stir by attending a royal wedding in a dress she wore 27 years ago.

The thrifty princess, who first debuted the Maureen Baker yellow floral-print wrap dress and daffodil yellow hat at the wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana in 1981, raised eyebrows by donning the same outfit for the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman at London's St. James' Palace on Saturday (19.07.08).

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "There are not many women who could put on a dress they wore nearly 30 years ago.

"But the princess has clearly looked after her figure. It also shows just how carefully she must look after her wardrobe."

This is not the first time Anne has recycled her outfits.

In 2001, she wore a dress to a charity event which she had previously worn to the BAFTA awards in 1984.

The 57-year-old has also worn a midnight blue empire-line gown twice in public. The outfit had its first outing to an event in Berlin, Germany, in 1976. Anne then wore it again in 1999.

The royal has previously spoken about her "practical" wardrobe, and is quoted by the MailOnline website as saying: "Clothes have to be practical. A good suit goes on for ever. If it is properly made and has a classic look you can go on wearing it ad infinitum.

"The economy is bred into me. My parents believe that things are not to be wasted. That lesson does last."

Meanwhile, Prince William's long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton has fuelled rumours they will soon announce their engagement after she attended her second royal wedding this year without William.

Kate joined Anne at the wedding of Lady Rose - who is the daughter of the Duke of Gloucester - and impressed fashion critics with her blue patterned knee-length satin dress, duck-egg blue jacket and a black fascinator.

William was unable to attend the nuptials because he is currently in the Caribbean with the British Royal Navy.

In May, Kate attended Peter Phillips' wedding to Autumn Kelly without her royal boyfriend.