Zara Tindall’s children are quietly channelling Princess Anne’s enduring style philosophy.

Zara Tindall shares Princess Anne’s no nonsense rule when it comes to her kids as seen at Cheltenham (Image: Getty)

Zara Tindall’s approach to fashion has always been refreshingly real, and her children’s outfits at Cheltenham last week on New Year’s Day stole the spotlight. Instead of debuting new looks, she leaned into repeats and hand-me-downs, offering a masterclass in down-to-earth royal dressing – something she has clearly learned from the Princess Royal.

It was a reminder that style doesn’t need constant reinvention to make an impact – consistency and quality speak for themselves. That mindset feels deeply rooted in the influence of Princess Anne, whose own wardrobe has long prioritised practicality, longevity and purpose over fleeting trends.

At the racing meet at the 43-year-old’s children were dressed not for spectacle, but for real-life sporting looks the Princess of Wales would champion – elegant yet sustainable.

Mia Tindall looked chic like her mother, sporting a Zara dress at the races (Image: Getty)

Underneath, Lena wore a Reiss cady knitted roll-neck dress in oatmeal, another well-chosen repeat that prioritised warmth and comfort over trend.

She finished the look with a Seed Heritage heart barrel bag, priced at around £30, which was the only new addition and felt like a child-friendly novelty rather than a deliberate fashion statement.

Together, the looks sent a subtle but powerful message about investment dressing for children. Zara appears to be building wardrobes designed to grow with her children, not be discarded after a single outing.

Zara Tindall and Peter Phillip’s children were spotted on the balcony at Cheltenham (Image: Getty)

Her eldest, Mia Tindall, 11, wore a navy bow-print dress from high-street favourite Zara, a piece she has been seen in before. The choice was telling: familiar, wearable and intentionally not new. It reflected a family attitude that values repetition over novelty.

While Lena Tindall, seven, followed the same philosophy, stepping out in a grey wool Gucci coat that once belonged to her elder sister, Mia.

The coat, first worn in 2022, has clearly been carefully kept and passed down – a rare sight in royal dressing that quietly speaks volumes.

Lena Tindall was spotted in Mia Tindall’s Gucci coat at Cheltenham on New Years Day (Image: Getty)

There is a sense that these pieces are chosen with longevity in mind – perhaps even to be passed down again in the future. It is a philosophy that feels increasingly rare in an era of fast fashion and constant consumption.

This approach mirrors the values long associated with Princess Anne, who has famously worn the same garments for decades. The Princess Royal’s influence is unmistakable, favouring clothes that earn their place through use rather than headlines.

Zara, raised with those principles, appears to be quietly passing them on. The result is royal dressing that feels human, relatable and deeply intentional.

Lena Tindall joined her sister Mia and her parents at Sandringham on Christmas Day (Image: Getty)

The same sentiment was evident over Christmas, when Lena was spotted wrapped up in a navy Monsoon military-style coat previously worn by her sister Mia and both of her cousins Savannah and Isla Phillips.

The shared wardrobe moment was not just practical, but quietly sentimental. It showed a family that treats clothing as part of its history, not disposable fashion.

Ultimately, Zara’s choices offer a modern blueprint for royal style that feels grounded rather than performative. Her children’s outfits weren’t about making a statement, but about wearing clothes that make sense.