Princess Anne copies Carole Middleton with 25-year-old wedding guest dress at Ascot

Princess Anne and Carole Middleton were twinning in pink as they attended Royal Ascot this week – but this wasn't the only thing they had in common. 

The Princess Royal and Carole, the Princess of Wales's mother, both attended the second day of the annual Berkshire racing meet on Wednesday, bringing a pop of colour to the racecourse with coordinating bubblegum pink looks. 

Both their ensembles were also pre-loved looks, as Carole, 71, chose to repeat her mother-of-the-bride look from her daughter Pippa Middleton's 2017 wedding. 

Anne, who is often known as the Queen of royal recycling, has also worn her look before. Unbelievably, she first wore it 25 years ago to Royal Ascot in 2001. 

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Consisting of an eye-catching pink button skirt suit and a matching hat with three flowers, it's easy to see why she likes it so much!

The Princess wore the two-piece look once again to Alexandra Knatchbull's 2016 wedding to Thomas Hooper in Romsey Abbey, Hampshire. 

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

Queen of fashion recycling

Princess Anne is known to love a fashion throwback, and often steps out in outfits that she's worn years – if not decades – previously. 

Despite being the King's sister, Anne appears to rarely buy new clothes, instead looking to re-wear good quality items from the past. 

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Now 75, she'll often bring back items she wore in her 20s and younger years. 

One of her most loved looks is her festive blue coat, which she debuted back in 1983 and is still going strong more than 50 years later. 

In March, she wore a floor-length coat to host the Nigerian state banquet at Windsor Castle, a staggering 57 years after she first wore it in June 1969, aged 18, for the premiere of Run Wild, Run Free.  

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Discussing her approach to fashion in the past, she said: "A good suit goes on forever. If it is properly made and has a classic look, you can wear it ad infinitum. The economy was bred into me."

When asked why she chooses to recycle outfits, the Princess told Vanity Fair in 2020: "Because I'm quite mean."

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She added: "I still try and buy materials and have them made up because I just think that's more fun. It also helps to support those who still manufacture in this country. We mustn't forget we've got those skills, and there are still places that do a fantastic job."

Royal Ascot 

This week has marked the much-anticipated return of Royal Ascot, with royal family members such as King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales all joining the traditional carriage procession before a day at the races.

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Princess Anne has so far attended all three of the days' events and on Monday joined her new daughter-in-law, Harriet Phillips, in the carriage procession. 

Peter Phillips' new wife officially debuted her newly married name following their wedding on 6 June.