Princess Anne may be famous for her signature "beehive" hairdo among other things, but that hairstyle wasn't always her favourite.

The Princess Royal has been sporting the same legendary bouffant for over five decades now, but back in the day she would let her tousled locks down.

In light of her latest appearance this week at the Olympic Games in France, unearthed photographs show King Charles's sister at the same Games more than 50 years ago, even before her own Olympic debut, sporting a completely different hairstyle than the one people are used to.

Her now famous chignon may be popular and synonymous with her name but during the 1970s she would wear her mane loose in brushed-out waves.

Anne, who is president of the British Olympic Association and is a former Olympian, was the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games when she rode her late mother Queen Elizabeth II's horse, Goodwill, in the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.

But in 1972, the Princess Royal could be seen wearing her brunette curls fall past her shoulders as she she spoke with equestrians at the Summer Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany.

She was wearing a fitted, collared blouse with oversized jeans as she mingled with athletes.

Anne was appointed a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1988.

Meanwhile, the royal's latest trip to Paris is her first official overseas visit since being hit by a horse in June.

It is the latest in her phased return to public duties after being rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol on June 23, staying for five nights after being injured while out walking on her Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire.

Anne's medical team said her concussion and head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse's head or legs but her concussion meant precise details of how the incident came about are not clear.

She carried out her first public engagement since her accident earlier this month when she presented awards at an equine competition at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.