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Kate Middletonalways looks put together and stylish, so it’s no surprise that her hair is the stuff shampoo commercial dreams are made of. The new Princess of Wales is known for her brunette waves, which never fail to look perfect every time she’s photographed.
Aside from the occasional addition of some highlights, Kate’s hair hasn’t changed much since she metPrince William. For the most part, she’s kept it a little longer than shoulder-length, and it always looks full, thick and shiny. While the bouncy blowout seems to be her preferred style, the royal also experiments with elegant updos, high ponytails and some detailed half-up hairstyles that never fail to impress. Here’s a look at Kate Middleton’s best hair looks through the years.
A Laid-Back Look
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Back in 2005, when Kate first started dating William, she went to his graduation ceremony atSt. Andrews University. Even before becoming an official member of theBritish royal family, Kate was sporting effortlessly chic styles. Her low-maintenance look featured a darker shade of brown, side-swept bangs and a flattering shoulder-length cut.
The Perfect Blowout
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A Classic Half-Up Style
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For her wedding to William in 2011, Kate opted for aclassic hairstyle, and, as expected, not a strand was out of place. Her hair was pulled back into a soft and wispy half-up ‘do that looked put together without being fussy, along with some loose curls. Kate’s now-iconicCartier halo tiaraand a long veil finished off the look.
Wispy Side Bangs
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Photographed during her first official visit to Cambridge, Kate showed off a new cut that proved she was years ahead of thecurtain bangs trend. The blonde highlights brightened up her hair, and the overall look was chic and just different enough without being a huge change.
A Pearl-Studded Updo
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A Twisted Half-Up Style
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Kate rarely wears a hat without doing something interesting to the hair underneath it. While celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Coronation ofQueen ElizabethII at Westminster Abbey in 2013, the future Princess of Wales went with a half-up style with some of her considerably darker locks pulled back into a subtle twist.
The Ideal Ponytail
While attending the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices Norfolk Capital Appeal launch event in 2014, Kate went for a more casual look with a thoughtfully mussed ponytail. With the right amount of volume at the roots and just enough texture throughout, it was the epitome of a perfect pony.
A Fun Twist
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At the 2015 Cricket World Cup event in 2014, Kate kept her hair down and wavy. Instead of just a classic blowout, though, she had some pieces pulled back into a fun twist with some volume at the roots. The result was slightly more casual but still sophisticated.
Voluminous Waves
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Kate went with classic voluminous waves while visiting Portsmouth, England in 2015. She kept things sleek up top while the ends of her hair were curled to perfection.
A Braided Updo
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Kate often adds an interesting detail to her updos, and this braided look for the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day parade in England was no exception. The twisted bun sat low at the nape of her neck to leave plenty of room for her hat.
A Sleek Low Bun
While many of Kate’s hairstyles appear loose and effortless, her ‘do at a reception during a 2016 tour of Canada was polished and sleek. Pulled back into a side chignon, it gave off a more mature and sophisticated look that was just right with her red dress.
Shoulder-Length Curls
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Kate’s hair is almost always on the longer side, but at theQueen’s birthday partyin Germany in 2017, she showed off her trendylob cut. She accentuated her new style with simple shiny curls.
A Twisted Chignon
During the2017 Trooping the Colour parade, Kate skipped the blowout in favor of pulling her hair back into a twisted, voluminous chignon. The style is one of her go-tos, likely because it works so well with a hat.
A Loose Updo
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While making an appearance at the70th EE British Academy Film Awardsin 2017, Kate pulled her hair back into a loose low updo that looked both regal and glamorous. Sleek but not stuffy, the hairstyle put all the attention onto her large statement earrings and off-the-shoulder neckline.
An Elegant Chignon
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At thewedding of her sister,Pippa Middleton, in 2017, Kate opted for a low chignon with lots of complicated-looking twists and a truly interesting shape. The style perfectly matched her pink fascinator.
A Sparkling Tiara
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Kate was the picture of a princess at the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2018. The future princess paired a gorgeous Alexander McQueen gown with the sparklingLover’s Knot tiara, one of the best-known British royal family tiaras (it was also a favorite ofPrincess Diana). Kate’s simple low bun looked elegant while keeping all eyes on the statement-making piece.
A Braided Chignon
A Brightened Up Blowout
Kate showed off some honey-colored highlights and a beautiful blowout during an event in London in 2018.
Glamorous Curls
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While attending the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium, Kate opted for a more glamorous look with tighter curls instead of her usual loose waves.
Sleek and Windswept
During a trip to the Aga Khan Centre in London in October 2019, Kate had the wind to thank for giving her classic blowout extra flair.
A Tiara Moment
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Kate turned to two of her favorites — an elegant chignon and the Lover’s Know tiara — for theDiplomatic Corps receptionin 2019. Her regal updo showed off her diamond and pearl drop earrings and diamond necklace.
A Low Braided Chignon
A Twisted Side Updo
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Kate looked regal and stylish at theCommonwealth Day Service in 2020. She chose one of her favorite hairstyles, a twisted updo that sat low at the side of her head to complement her hat, which matched her deep red coat and heels.
A Casual Half-Up Look
While visiting Cardiff Castle in Wales, Kate took a break from her sophisticated updos and wore her hair in a more casual style. She pulled her loose, shiny curls off her face in a half-up style with some volume on the top.
A Chic Hair Accessory
Kate Middleton, now titled Catherine, the Princess of Wales.Samir Hussein/WireImage
While visiting Ireland withPrince William, Kate decided to play around with a hair accessory, which she rarely does. The future Princess of Wales went for her usual wavy blowout, but added a chic black velvet headband that showed off her sparkling diamond earrings.
A Twist on the Half-Up ‘Do
Kate chose a stylish but playful look for an event at Evelina Children’s Hospital in London in 2020. Her loose curls were pulled back into a half-updo that featured a fishtail braid at the roots.
A Deep Side Part
In 2021, Kate walked the green carpet for theEarthshot Prizeat Alexandra Palace in London. The future Princess of Wales chose a glamorous look with a deep side part that brought iconic Old Hollywood hairstyles to mind.
A Red Carpet-Worthy Updo
Kate pulled out all the stops when she attendedthe world premiereofNo Time To Diein London. She paired her head-turning, gold-beaded Jenny Packham gown with an elaborately twisted updo.
Side-Swept Curls
The future Princess of Wales once again went for Old Hollywood glamour with a side part and side-swept curls while attendingthe Royal Variety Performanceat the Royal Albert Hall in London.
A Fun High Ponytail
During a visit to Ulster University Magee Campusin Northern Ireland, Kate pulled her hair into a voluminous high ponytail. It was the perfect look to complement her sophisticated purple pantsuit.
Straight and Sleek
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A Very Glamorous Updo
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While attending a special dinner atKing’s House in JamaicawithPrince William, Kate swept her hair back into a sleek updo with an intricately braided bun. The hairstyle showed off her stunning emerald statement earrings, which were on loan from the Queen herself.
A Sweet Velvet Bow Detail
Duringa surprise appearanceat the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, Kate accentuated her sleek and shiny blowout with a white halo headpiece. The back of the piece featured a large blue bow detail for a playful element.
A Chic Tucked-Back Look
Kate switched things up with asleek and straight lookwhen handing out an award on behalf ofQueen Elizabethat the Design Museum in London in May 2022. She pulled back her face-framing pieces for a “grown-up chic” ‘do, as her personal hairstylist Richard Ward described the style.
A Layered Fall Cut
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Kate debuted anew fall haircutwhen bringing her three children to school in September 2022. The shorter style featured added layers and some touched-up highlights.
Tucked Back With a Tiara
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Katewore her hair completely down with a tiarafor the very first time in December 2022. The Lotus Flower tiara was tucked into straight hair that had been teased at the crown and slicked behind her ears. In the past, the Princess of Wales has always worn her hair half-up or in an updo when donning a headpiece.
Curtain Bangs
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source: people.com
