Princess Anne was a real-life Rapunzel with long blonde hair in rare photo

Princess Anne has quietly become one of the most accomplished members of the family.

The second of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s children, Anne, 75, has many impressive accolades to her name, including becoming the first member of the British royals to compete in the Olympics. This feat has given her status as one of the most “iconic” family members.

Last month marked five decades since Anne represented Great Britain at the equestrian eventing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Not only was Anne a revered horsewoman, but she was also one of the most beautiful royals. A recent throwback showed the Princess looking Rapunzel-like with thick blonde hair in a photograph taken at the European Eventing Championship in 1971, when Anne was only around 21.

King Charles’s sister looked unapologetically chic in the candid picture, wearing an elegant black blazer and pale blue neckerchief.

Fans couldn’t help but admire her thick, honey-coloured hair cascading down her back. The royal had her gaze fixed on something in the distance, clearly not noticing the camera. Anne came home with a gold medal in 1971 and two silver medals in 1975 at the European Eventing Championships.

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Equestrian legacy

And she isn’t the only royal to have a sporty streak. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, is also a skilled horsewoman who herself competed in the Olympics.

Zara, who is the second of Anne’s children with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, won a silver medal with Team GB’s team eventing squad at the London 2012 Olympics.

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It has been a busy week for Anne, who earlier this week stepped out at Ascot racecourse on Saturday. She appeared elegant in a jacquard green belted frock with a cream jacket and a matching pillbox hat as she arrived at the Berkshire meet.

Pinned to her coat was a delicate gold horse brooch, featuring diamond-encrusted accents on its mane and tail.She has owned the accessory since the 1980s and has regularly worn it for the races, including Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot. She was joined at the racecourse by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.