The Duchess of Cambridge [1] is more than just a duchess. To beauty enthusiasts, she's kind of a hair icon. Trust us, since marrying Prince William and officially joining the royal family in 2010, we've followed her hair evolution closer than we care to admit — every bouncy blowout, every minor highlight and lowlight shift, every (rare) casual ponytail [2], and every single iteration of the side bun she's ever worn (and it's been many).
Although Kate has to keep a a somewhat strict royal beauty code, choosing polished hairstyles for her many official engagements and duties, this doesn't mean she can't have a little fun. Accessories and updos are both key to Kate's look. For official engagements, she prefers a classic chignon [3] sometimes with the addition of subtle braids and twists to complement — not compete — with her various hats and fascinators. Her trick to keeping these styles perfectly in place? A good old hairnet. And if she's on slightly less formal outings, she sometimes goes for small accessories like pearl bobby pins or small velvet bows to jazz up her look a little.
When she's not on formal royal duties, she will let her hair down (literally) and often chooses big bouncy blowouts. Nothing seems to phase her beautiful blowouts, whether it's taking part in various sporting events or even giving birth; her voluminous waves always seem to stay perfectly voluminous and wavy, thanks to a team of expert hairstylists (and most likely a ton of flexible-hold hairspray).
Kate is truly the queen duchess of updos, blowouts, and tiaras. And in case you needed any more convincing, keep reading for a closer look at Kate's best hairstyles throughout the years.
Kate Middleton's Tight Curls, 2021
For one of the final events of 2021, the duchess wore tighter curls than we typically see on her to attend the "Together At Christmas" Community Carol Service.
Kate Middleton's Side Swept Curls, 2021
In a look we don't typically see Kate wear, for the 2021 Royal Variety Performance, she had tighter curls that were tucked behind her ear and swept over one shoulder, showing off her beautiful earrings and those powerful shoulders on her embellished gown.
Kate Middleton's Caramel Highlights, 2021
In November, the duchess stepped out with her usual bouncy blowout but appears to have added some subtle caramel highlights.
Kate Middleton's Loose Side Swept Waves, 2021
Kate wore a bouncy blow out for a celebration of the The Earthshot Prize, but this time the curls were slightly tighter and also swept to one side.
Kate Middelton's Intricate Updo, 2021
To attend the London premiere of No Time To Die, Kate wore a stunning gold Jenny Packham dress [5] and had an equally incredible intricate updo hairstyle to match.
Kate Middleton's Curly, Side-Swept Updo, 2020
For the annual Commonwealth Day service, the duchess completed her tonal crimson ensemble [8] with a felt saucer hat designed by Scottish milliner Sally-Ann Provan [9] that was decorated with English roses. To balance out the head-topper, she wore her hair swept (and woven, and twisted) to one side with the ends curled and pinned over her left ear — almost mimicking the shape of the rose petals above it.
Kate Middleton's Velvet Headband, 2020
For a royal trip to Ireland in March 2020, Kate wore her freshly trimmed hair in very loose waves, accessorised with a padded velvet black headband by designer Jane Taylor [10]. The hairstyle not only completes her all green ensemble, but also keeps her hair from blowing in the wind. We love a practical and stylish duchess.
Kate Middleton's Sleek Half-Up Hairstyle, 2020
At an appearance in Leicstershire, the duchess changed things up with an elegant half-up style that we haven't seen from her in a while. Volume at the crown of her head kept the style from looking too severe, while the slight bend through the mid-lengths broke up the strict, linear lines of her coat.
Kate Middleton's Curly Half-Up Hairstyle, 2020
Just days before in South Wales was when Kate first experimented with a half-up look, this time around adding more curl through the ends.
Kate Middleton's Rope-y Christmas Waves, 2019
The duchess celebrated Christmas Day mass wearing a gorgeous velvet green fascinator, which she paired with low-key, rope-like waves.
Kate Middleton's Luscious Spirals, 2019
For a charity outing during the festive season, the duchess stepped out with an enviable blowout that featured both bouncy volume and shiny, perfectly-shaped waves.
Kate Middleton's Ultra-Glossy Ringlets, 2019
For a concert at the Palladium Theatre in London, Kate went for an unexpected middle parting and tight, shiny curls that started from the mid-lengths of her hair and went all the way to the very ends.
Kate Middleton's Extra-Bouncy Blowout, 2019
The fact the duchess has enviably thick, bouncy hair is no secret, but she really took it up a notch with this side-parted blowout for a royal appearance in November.
Kate Middleton’s Twisted, Half-Updo, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for an evening event [11] during the royal tour of Pakistan [12] and for the occasion, Kate wore an equally elegant hairstyle to match her emerald gown. She wore a half-up updo with two pieces of hair twisted together and held in place with some grips at the centre-back of her head. It's a special hairstyle with the added detail, without being too polished.
Kate Middleton's Long Curtain Fringe, 2019
The duchess stepped out for an engagement during the first week of October, with a new subtle hair change. She added a long, layered curtain fringe to her golden highlights, creating a face-framing definition for a pretty autumnal switch-up. Similar to Princess Diana [13], Kate prefers subtle changes to her hair so she doesn't take the attention away from the work she is doing. And possibly also because she doesn't want to commit to such a dramatic hairstyle change.
Kate Middleton's Golden Hair Colour, 2019
For Princess Charlotte's first day of school — aside from excitedly watching the family enter the school gates — we couldn't help but notice Kate's lighter hair. Again, much like Princess Diana, the duchess slowly lightened her hair over the Summer [14], resulting in very subtle golden highlights.
Kate Middleton's Loose Waves and Sunglasses, 2019
Kate Middleton proved that sunglasses can sometimes be the best beauty accessory, particularly for a trip to Wimbledon.
Kate Middleton's Folded Side-Do, 2019
For Royal Ascot [15], Kate Middleton wore her hair low and off to side, folding and pinning it into an intricate updo that sat tidily underneath her sky-blue Philip Treacy hat.
Kate Middleton's Perfectly Pristine Updo, 2019
Look closely: the duchess utilised her sneaky hairnet trick [16] to hold her simple updo in place for the Order of the Garter service [17].
Kate Middleton's Shapely Side Bun, 2019
Here's another example — at the Trooping the Colour [18] ceremony in 2019 — of a seemingly simple updo that upon closer inspection is actually incredibly intricate. We love how not only does the shape of her hair mimics the shape of the flowers of her Philip Treacy hat, but how it also balances out the fact that the head-topper sits on such a sharp angle.
Kate Middleton's Braided Half-Up Hairstyle, 2019
A day out with the Queen called for a half-up look with added braid and twist details above the ears to make it extraspecial.
Kate Middleton's Curly Ponytail, 2019
Now this is how a duchess does a ponytail: Volume to the crown, a piece of hair wrapped around the band, the ends nicely curled.
Kate Middleton's Rounded Waves, 2019
For a day out on royal duties, Kate decided to wear her hair in very loose curls, which can be achieved by wrapping medium sections of hair around a large curling iron, making sure the ends are touching the barrel as well.
Kate Middleton's Complicated Side Chignon, 2019
The low side bun Kate wore for an Anzac day service [19] included a little bit of everything. Look closely and you'll see simple plaits, the starting of a loose French braid, and an intricate combinations of loops, twists, and folds that kept her hair off her neck to make room for the structured collar of her coat.
Kate Middleton's Dropped Curls, 2019
For Easter Service this year, Kate let her hair down and wore it brushed away from her face with dropped curls.
Kate Middleton's Braided Chignon, 2019
For St. Patrick's Day, Kate wore the ends of her hair tucked up into a voluminous loop with the face-framing pieces of hair braided and criss-crossed at the back of her head. We don't know 100-percent what to call it except that it's basically a work of hair art.
Kate Middleton's Signature Bouncy Blowout, 2019
For a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London, Kate wore her classic bouncy blowout, proving that not only does it never go out of style, but that it never gets less, well, bouncy.
Kate Middleton's Tucked-and-Folded Updo, 2019
We don't really know what to call this hairstyle (a chignon? an updo? a hair sculpture?), but what we do know is that the low, tucked-up style is a go-to for the Duchess of Cambridge's many royal engagements.
Kate Middleton's Polished Ponytail, 2019
The polished ponytail strikes again, this time for a trip to windy and rainy Blackpool.
Kate Middleton's Curly Half-Up Ponytail, 2019
For a night out at the 100 Women In Finance Gala Dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Kate wore a half-up ponytail featuring tighter curls than we're used to seeing from her.
Kate Middleton's Intricate Updo, 2019
Middleton's intricate updo from the BAFTAs [20] is so complicated that we don't know where to look first. The style is unique for the Duchess as all of her hair is brushed back, away from her face — all the better for showing off her pearl-drop earrings.
Kate Middleton's Long, Choppy Layers, 2018
At the end of 2018, Kate's cut featured lots of long layers that started at her collarbone. The choppy cut added even more volume to the duchess's already thick hair, and made it easier for the ends to bend in nicely inwards — framing her heart-shaped face beautifully.
Kate Middleton's Casual Half-Up Ponytail, 2018
For a royal visit in Cyprus, Kate wore her hair in a half-up ponytail. And while the style is less pristine and polished than we're use to seeing from the Duchess, it's still clear she's had a smooth blowout beforehand.
Kate Middleton's Tight Christmas Curls, 2018
Kate was seen walking through the (fake) snow for a very Christmas-themed visit wearing her hair in tight spirals that went from mid-lengths to ends.
Kate Middleton's Lover's Knot Tiara and Chignon, 2018
There's nothing quite like a simple chignon on the Duchess of Cambridge, particularly if it's paired with a huge pearl-and-diamond-studded tiara. This tiara, in particular, is special as it not only was a piece that Princess Diana frequently wore [21], but it also has been in the royal family for over a century. According to Town & Country, the tiara seen here was made in
was made in 1913 or 1914 for Queen Mary [22] using pearls and diamonds already owned by the monarch's family, and is inspired by a tiara owned by Queen Augusta of Hesse-Cassel (another Duchess of Cambridge and one of Queen Victoria's aunts) called the Cambridge Lover's Knot.
Kate Middleton's Messy Side Bun, 2018
When you've got a hat as beautiful as the one Kate wore to Princess Eugenie's wedding [23] in October 2018 (designed by the royal's favorite milliner Philip Treacy), a simple low side bun is the ideal choice.
Kate Middleton's Velvet Bow, 2018
The twisted ponytail was enough to wow us, but its' really the dainty black velvet bow that makes this one of our favourite hairstyles Kate has ever worn. And while you can easily raid your holiday decoration box to create this style, we have a sneaking suspicion that this velvet bow barrette is from accessories designer Jennifer Behr [24].
Kate Middleton's Velvet Bow Take Two, 2018
Kate loved that velvet hair bow so much that she did it twice in one month and we're definitely not complaining. This time she switched it from a low ponytail to a mid-level one and took out the twist detail at the back, instead choosing to curl the tail.
Kate Middleton's Casual Blowout, 2018
Kate tends to go for two types of blowouts: big and glamorous or this more casual, less bouncy version (that she wore for a visit to the BBC) with lots of curl at the ends. In this case, slightly off-center part and loose waves nicely show off the warm, caramel highlights at the front of her hair.
Kate Middleton's Oversized Velvet Alice Band, 2018
At a celebration marking the centenary of Amristice at Westminster Abbey in 2018, Kate switched out a jewel-encrusted tiara for a chunky velvet Alice band — marking her as one of the key initiators of the headband trend that would hit the fashion industry in 2019. How she styled it — with one of her low, looped-up chignons with the face-framing pieces crisscrossed across the back of her head, something she does quite often — isn't just an aesthetic choice. The hairstyle actually helps keep the accessory in place, holding the ends of the band close to her head without the need of pins.
Kate Middleton's French-Braided Bun, 2018
The duchess took her go-to hair silhouette and spiced things up, adding thick French braids that started right above her ears and reached across the back of her head, holding the ends of her hair — which seem to be looped under towards her neck — neatly in place.
Kate Middleton's Straight Blowout, 2018
To show off her defined layers in all their glory, Kate wore her hair straighter than usual for a day at the tennis.
Kate Middleton's Pearl-Covered Headband 2018
Prince Louis's christening [25] was the perfect occasion for the duchess to breakout a bespoke headband designed from Jane Taylor London [26]. And as usual, the duchess styled her hair in a low chignon/loop, which acts as both an anchor for the large accessory and a way to expose her beautiful earrings.
Kate Middleton's Silky Strands, 2018
The Duchess of Cambridge decided not to wear her hair in classic blowout for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding [27], but rather to wear her hair down and straight as a way to not detract from her floral Philip Treacy head-topper.
Kate Middleton's Waves and a Pillbox Hat, 2018
Kate wore casual waves and a pillbox hat to Easter Sunday Service in Windsor.
Kate Middleton's Basket-Weave Chignon, 2018
Another day, another loop-up hairstyle with intricate twist detail that looks almost like her hair was woven in place. A key difference with this one specific style, however, is the volume at the back of the head, which balances out her moss-green hait, which perches very far forward on her head and slopes down onto her forehead.
Kate Middleton's Elegant Chignon, 2018
Sometimes a hairstyle doesn't need any accessories and detail. Kate proved this with her chignon with short side-part for a dinner at the Royal Palace.
Kate Middleton's Faux Bob, 2017
The duchess fooled us all for a hot minute when she turned up to a royal engagement wearing a faux bob [28]. Turns out it was just a lot of bobby pins (and we wouldn't be surprised if there was a hairnet covering it all).
Kate Middleton's Curly Bun, 2017
Is it just us or does Kate's low bun look curled like a little rose? The duchess wore a bun neatly wrapped into a hairnet to ensure no flyaway hairs during a day outside.
Kate Middleton's Voluminous Blowout, 2017
This is Kate's glamorous blowout taken up a notch. It's got all the volume, all the shine, and all the gorgeous curls.
Kate Middleton's Mid-Length Cut, 2017
A trip to Wimbledon in 2017 was a great excuse for the duchess to debut a new shorter hair [29]. The shoulder-length style featured less layers than we're used to seeing from Kate and straighter ends, creating the illusion of even thicker hair (which on Kate, we didn't think was possible).
Kate Middleton's Loopy Half-Up Style, 2017
Kate switched up a normal half-up ponytail for one with small looped details and loose waves, the latter of which highlighted her caramel ombré highlights.
Kate Middleton's Neat Chignon. 2017
Thanks to her handy hairnet, not a single hair was out of place in this looped-up chignon (with cross-cross details at the back, of course). It was the perfect style for a warm day at the Royal Ascot races in 2017.
Kate Middleton's Superlong Shag Hairstyle, 2015
The combination of long curtain fringe and long, straight layers gives us a '70s vibe that we're totally feeling for the duchess.
Kate Middleton's Curtain Fringe, 2015
In case of "the royals are just like us," Kate went and tried out bangs for a bit. Unlike the rest of us, she's got a professional hairstylist on call who can style them for her and iron out all the cowlicks. Regardless, her mid-length fringe really suits her, worn here for an event at Royal Albert `hall with a middle part and a low, curly updo.
Kate Middleton's Très Chic Ponytail, 2014
With a deep side part, swooping front layers, and lots of height at the crown, this ponytail brings to mind Brigitte Bardot's famous voluminous hairstyles.
Kate Middleton's New Mom Waves, 2013
The Duchess of Cambridge no doubt had a hairstylist helping her get this low-key blowout before presenting Prince George to the world in 2013.
Kate Middleton's Pearl-Topped Bun, 2012
Kate was way ahead of the trend with these pearl accents, adding a few of the accessories into her twisted bun during a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kate Middleton's Natural Waves, 2012
Humidity doesn't stop the duchess's hair from looking great. She showed off her natural hair texture during a visit to Tuvanipupu Island, allowing us to see her fluffy waves and curls in all their glory.
Kate Middleton's Wedding Hair, 2010
For her and Prince William's wedding day in 2010, the duchess chose to wear her hair half-up with loose flowing curls behind her shoulders. The hairstyle perfectly complemented the 1936 Cartier tiara she wore [30], which was originally a gift from George VI to his wife.
Kate Middleton's Glossy Layers, 2010
For Kate Middleton and Prince William's official engagement announcement photos, she kept her hair sleek and simple with the ends curled away from her face.