Royals who look unrecognisable without their signature style – including Princess Anne's hair transformation

Even princesses experiment with their style over the years – see the royals before they adopted their timeless fashion signatures

The royals have several recognisable signatures hidden in their wardrobe, from Princess Anne's perfectly coiffed bouffant to Meghan Markle's refined tailoring. But they weren't always perfectly polished and we've seen several of the royals looking unrecognisable over the years compared to their style today. See their style before public engagements and dinner at the palace became an everyday affair...

Princess Anne let her controlled bouffant down in her teens

Princess Anne

Princess Anne is best known for her bouffant up-do, carefully maintained for more than 40 years. But she hasn't always opted for this carefully controlled hairstyle.

During her teenage years, the princess was pictured with her brunette hair loose in the grounds of Sandringham when she was just 19 years old. Without her carefully fixed do, it's hard to recognise the princess behind that free-flowing mane!

Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey playing Kate Middleton and Prince William in The Crown season six

Princess Kate was right on trend as a university student

Princess Kate

Before Princess Kate was married to the heir to the English throne, she was plain ol' Kate Middleton. A St Andrew's University student much like any other.

Prior to their wedding in 2011, she enjoyed a more casual wardrobe with cowboy hats and low rise jeans making an appearance while the couple were still in the early years of their relationship.

Zara Tindall

Like her mother Princess Anne, Zara Tindall prefers a sleeker, controlled hairstyle. So royal fans were shocked when she revealed a completely different hairstyle from her past.

But while she was still experimenting with her look, Zara sported an on-trend statement fringe in 2009 at Cheltenham Festival.

Meghan Markle was the definition of Hollywood glamour

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has surely had one of the royal family's most significant transformations, moving from the world of Hollywood stardom to taking on public engagements prior to her and Prince Harry's exit from royal life.

From casual dressing and glamorous photoshoots to her more classic, clean cut tailoring, Meghan's aesthetic has totally changed over the years.

Sophie Rhys Jones pictured leaving her office in London in an oversized white jacket in 1993.

Duchess Sophie was a working professional in the PR industry, with the wardrobe to match

Duchess Sophie

Before she married Prince Edward, the Duchess of Edinburgh was known as Sophie Rhys-Jones. She pursued a career in public relations and spent four years at Capital Radio, before setting up her own firm in 1996, RJH Public Relations.

As such, her style has transitioned from working woman of the '80s and '90s, complete with oversized formal jackets and mini dresses, to a more reserved formal style suiting her status as a member of the royal family.

Sarah Ferguson had secretarial style before marrying into the royal family

Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson trained as a secretary before she tied the knot with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at 25 years old. She worked for an art gallery, two PR firms and a publishing company during this time and her style reflected her professional status.

While her red locks made her a recognisable royal, her fashion sense has transitioned from relaxed sporting wear and trendy formalwear, when the occasion demanded it, to a refined royal wardrobe.