Kate Middleton's Most Iconic Hair Moments

Catherine, Princess of Wales — aka Kate Middleton — has such stunning hair that there are endless tutorials and guides to nail her many, coveted 'dos. From her wedding day where she sported a demi-chignon, with her hair half up and half down, to King Charles III's coronation, Catherine's thick, bouncy hair has been nothing short of an inspiration. On an average day, the princess wears her hair long and curled at the ends. This now-iconic style is called the "Chelsea Blow Dry," named by her hair stylist, Richard Ward.  And while Catherine has certainly undergone a hair transformation, it's this shiny blow dry that everyone wants, and that Catherine consistently wears. 

When she's not wearing her hair down in thick, full curls, she changes things up with polished up-dos, eye-catching hair pieces, statement hats, and tiaras. Sometimes these artisanal pieces demand different styling than just a simple, long-hair look, and Kate has certainly served up some amazing hair to support the fascinators, hats, and crowns that she occasionally wears. There are unfussy hairstyles in the tally, too, and even the humble ponytail. 

Since she became a royal, we've rarely seen the natural curls of Catherine, Princess of Wales. The few photos that we do have of Catherine's hair, untamed from the heat of blow dryers and styling tools, make us think that she should wear it like this more often. In September 2012, Kate and Prince William visited Tavanipupu in the Solomon Islands, and the young royal chose to show off her thick, untouched curls. Her hair looked full and lively, and just as beautiful as it does in its signature blow dry. 

Kate Middleton clearly has a preference for wearing her hair down. At least, this is how we see her wear her hair most often. One way that she changes this is by wearing half of her hair up, as she did in 2014 when she and Prince William visited Christchurch, New Zealand. It was the perfect hair for the day — practical and modest, as the couple honored those who had died in recent earthquakes in a memorial service. Later, they played a game of cricket with school children, and the princess wore a skirt, suit, and heels the whole time. The half-up, half-down hair was respectful while allowing her to stay active throughout the busy day.

While we know that Catherine, Princess of Wales, loves a ponytail when she's working out, the royal has stepped out in a fancier version of the simple hairstyle. On October 27, 2015, Catherine visited the Chance UK Early Intervention Program in London and brought the ponytail to a polished, elevated status. She wore her hair side parted, with voluminous side bangs, and kept the look dressy with help from her soft curls. This ponytail is certainly office-approved. 

While commemorating Anzac Day on April 25, 2022, at Westminster Abbey, Catherine, Princess of Wales, stepped up her already formidable hair game by adding a unique piece. The princess wore a white circular hair band by Jane Taylor called the Calypso Halo in ivory, according to Kate Middleton's Style Blog, which is cinched at the back with a tuxedo satin bow. The Calypso Halo is still available on the milliner's website, and it retails for $1938.00. The unique headpiece pulled Catherine's hair back, keeping her soft curls secure behind her.

And then there's the tiara. We can't talk about Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her different hair looks without mentioning those that are structured around tiaras. We've seen the princess wear tiaras often, and naturally, she must style her hair to fit the glamorous piece of jewelry. At a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in November 2022, Middleton wore a slick, simple updo with a side part to showcase the Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara. The clever styling kept the focus on the beautiful headpiece. 

Catherine, Princess of Wales, combined elegance and practicality by wearing her hair pulled back in a low bun while showcasing face-framing bangs. She wore her hair this way on September 27, 2023, while visiting an education center for her campaign Shaping Us. Since Catherine spent the day speaking with children and sitting on the floor, taking part in playtime, the hairstyle was a fitting one. She looked polished, but could comfortably get active since her hair was pulled back and away from her face.

We've seen Catherine, Princess of Wales, rock out with new bangs every few years. More recently, in October 2023, Kate Middleton honored the United Kingdom's Black History Month in Cardiff, Wales, and surprised onlookers with a new hairstyle. Catherine emerged with curtain bangs that paired beautifully with her long, curled hair. The bangs added a playful, lively element to Catherine's hair. Not only that, but the curtain bangs specifically served '70s nostalgia, which was a notable departure from her usual, timeless look. 

Catherine, Princess of Wales, exhibited a stunning updo at the 2024 Trooping the Color. Her hair was carefully and artistically swept up away from her face for the momentous event, looking dramatic and polished when she stepped out on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. This was just one of the many ways that Middleton has shown how updos can work beautifully with thick hair. Catherine often chooses an updo when wearing statement hats, such as the white Philip Treacy hat she chose for this occasion.