Zara Phillips rarely makes a slip-up in the fashion stakes, decking herself out smartly when she is at the races or at a society wedding.

On her home turf of equestrianism, however, it appears the 12th in line to the throne is prepared to leave her style at the door, as her head wear proves.

Like many female riders, the Princess opted for a hairnet to keep her locks at bay while she was competing at the Tweseldown Horse Trials.

But with the net creeping down her forehead and appearing to dig in uncomfortably, Zara unfortunately looked more Ena Sharples from Coronation Street than a Princess.

Ohh err: Zara Phillips takes her fashion style from ex Coronation Street battleaxe Ena Sharples played by Violet Carson

From the bottom up, the 27-year-old looked her usual elegant self in her jodphurs and riding boots.

But once she had removed her riding hat, the yellow net covering her hair was exposed.

A hard look to pull off at the best of times, Zara grimaced - making the resemblance to the 1960's television battleaxe uncanny.

Hair to the throne: the princess fixes her blonde hair into the yellow hair net to protect her locks for when she takes her ride

Zara, currently the world eventing champion, had been set to compete at the Beijing Olympics this summer but had to pull out because of injury to her horse, Toytown.

The Princess had been aiming for a Gold medal to add to her haul of prizes but the injury to her favourite horse put paid to her chances.

It is the second time she has had to pull out of the Olympics, after injury forced her to withdraw in 2004.