Princess Anne's Bold Lingerie Moment at 75
Anne, Princess Royal pictured during the Chatham House Prize 2015 award ceremony. Photo courtesy of Chatham House under CC BY 2.0.
Princess Anne's recent visit to a luxury lingerie workshop in South Wales has sent ripples through royal watchers and fashion enthusiasts alike. Known for her no-nonsense demeanor and dedication to public service, the 75-year-old princess stepped into a world of silk robes, corsets, and delicate undergarments, offering a rare glimpse of playful boldness from a royal typically associated with tradition and restraint. This unexpected royal outing has sparked curiosity and admiration, blending the glamour of high fashion with the intimate allure of lingerie craftsmanship.
A Royal Visit Like No Other
Princess Anne's trip to the Edge o' Beyond atelier in Caerphilly was not just a casual stroll through a boutique. In her role as president of the U.K. Fashion and Textile Association, a position she has held for over 40 years, she was there to celebrate the brand's 11th anniversary and its commitment to reviving British garment manufacturing. The workshop, known for its exquisite jewelry-adorned bras and silk robes priced as high as $1,825, represents the pinnacle of British lingerie craftsmanship. The princess's presence underscored the importance of supporting homegrown talent in an industry often overshadowed by mass production and overseas manufacturing.
The visit was marked by Princess Anne's genuine engagement with the artisans. She toured the workshop, speaking with machinists and observing the meticulous process of cutting, sewing, and assembling the delicate pieces. Discussions reportedly touched on innovative techniques, such as creating corsets without traditional whalebone, and the challenges posed by social media censorship of the female body, which complicates advertising lingerie products. This blend of tradition and modernity seemed to resonate deeply with the princess, who has long been a champion of British fashion and textiles.
The Optics of Royal Playfulness
What makes this visit particularly captivating is the contrast it presents to Princess Anne's usual public image. Often seen as the most serious and duty-bound member of the royal family, her choice to pose amid corsets and silk robes offers a rare moment of levity and daring. Photographs from the visit show her smiling alongside displays of lingerie, a scene that feels both intimate and refreshingly candid for a royal engagement.
Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the princess for supporting women and celebrating the sensuality and craftsmanship of lingerie. According to The Daily Beast, comments ranged from calling the moment "iconic" to applauding the recognition of the skilled technicians keeping British lingerie traditions alive. This visit not only highlights the artistry behind luxury lingerie but also subtly challenges the often conservative expectations placed on royal women.
A Legacy of Fashion Advocacy
Princess Anne's involvement with the UK Fashion and Textile Association is no fleeting interest. Her four-decade tenure as president reflects a deep commitment to the industry, supporting everything from high fashion to the revival of traditional manufacturing techniques. This lingerie workshop visit fits squarely within that legacy, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and innovation in sustaining British fashion's global reputation.
The brand's founder, Naomi De Haan, described the princess as "very cool" and "very interested in everything," noting that she came across as "very feminist" during their conversations, as reported by PEOPLE. This characterization adds another layer to the story, suggesting that Princess Anne's support extends beyond mere ceremonial duties to a genuine advocacy for women's empowerment through fashion.
The Royal Family's Intimate Fashion History
The visit also evokes a sense of royal continuity in the realm of intimate apparel. Princess Anne's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was reportedly known to be a customer of Rigby & Peller, a long-standing British lingerie establishment. The Queen granted the company a royal warrant in 1960, a mark of prestige that was later revoked in 2018 following a controversial book revealing private fittings for the Queen and other royal women. This history adds a nostalgic yet fresh dimension to Princess Anne's lingerie workshop visit, linking past royal fashion traditions with contemporary craftsmanship.
More Than Just a Photo Op
While the images of Princess Anne surrounded by delicate lingerie might initially strike some as a playful royal moment, the visit carried significant weight. It was a public endorsement of British manufacturing at a time when the fashion industry faces challenges from globalization and digital censorship. The princess's engagement with the technical aspects of lingerie production and her discussions about the difficulties of marketing such products on social media reveal a thoughtful approach to her role.
This visit also coincided with Edge o' Beyond's 11th anniversary, making it a celebration of resilience and creativity in British fashion. The unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Princess Anne symbolized recognition not just of the brand but of the skilled artisans whose work often goes unseen. It was a moment that honored tradition while embracing the future of fashion.
A Royal Who Keeps Us Guessing
Princess Anne's lingerie shop visit is a reminder that even the most reserved royals can surprise us. It blends the elegance and gravitas of royal duty with a touch of daring and modernity. For a princess who has long been respected for her steadfastness and dedication, this outing adds a new, intriguing chapter to her public persona.
In a world where royal appearances are often scripted and predictable, Princess Anne's choice to step into a lingerie atelier and engage so fully with the craft is a bold statement. It invites us to see her not just as a royal figurehead but as a woman with a keen eye for fashion, a champion of British industry, and a subtle provocateur in the best possible way.
This visit will be remembered not just for the silk and lace but for the spirit behind it — a royal who knows how to mix tradition with a hint of playful rebellion.
References: Princess Anne Makes Risqué Royal Outing to Lingerie Store | Princess Anne's Lingerie Shop Visit | Princess Anne Has Unexpected Lingerie Moment in Risqué Royal Outing
