Kate Middleton is many things: a duchess, future queen, mother, wife, photographer, and an advocate for early childhood development. She’s also a Royal Hair Goddess, whose shiny locks rarely have a single strand out of place and has become an inspiration to brunettes worldwide.
Though it feels like Middleton’s long, straight hair has been through very few changes over the years, the Duchess is actually a big fan of playing with shape, highlights, and tone. Let’s take a look at her hair evolution so far…
Long before she became a duchess, Kate Middleton was the firstborn of her two siblings to parents Carole and Michael Middleton. Born in the U.K., her childhood hairstyle was a favorite for little girls at the time. Wearing adorable pigtails with barrettes and rubber bands that pull her hair out of her face, the future royal is all smiles in family photos shared by the Middleton family.
Circa 1987, a five-year-old Kate Middleton has her signature chestnut brown hair pulled up with the makings of framing bangs.
In college at St. Andrews University–where she met Prince William–Middleton wore her hair to the side, with side-swept bangs (it was, after all, the early aughts). She usually wore her long hair in easy, breezy waves reminiscent of beach hair. During this period, her signature brown hair is a little darker than her current shade.
In 2002, Middleton wore her dark chestnut hair in ringlet curls, with a couple of strands wrapped in string for a St. Andrews University fashion show. The now-famous sheer dress she wore down the runway was sold for $125,000 at an auction in 2011.
As the future Duchess of Cambridge, Middleton’s hair starts to evolve. She grows out her bangs, and opts for soft, classic waves. During this period, her hair is an ultra-shiny deep brown.
Middleton’s wedding hair is timeless, with an emphasis on volume. Her dark brown hair is still soft, thanks to the perfect curls at the ends, reminiscent of Old Hollywood glam. For her wedding, the duchess opted to wear her hair half-up half-down with a tiara and veil.
After Kate Middleton got married to Prince William, she lightens up her chestnut brown hair with some soft, warm balayage, a sweeping highlight technique that was becoming popular at the time. The honey-toned highlights add some warmth.
The duchess goes back to her deep chestnut roots in 2017. While her grown-out highlights add dimension to the long dark hair, there’s no longer a hint of blonde. Middleton also starts going for extreme volume, while keeping the now-signature soft curls on her ends.
In 2018, Middleton’s hair gets a little more relaxed. Her dark, shoulder-length hair is parted in the middle and generally more effortless than in previous years. This is the same year Meghan Markle joined the Royal Family by marrying Prince Harry.
In 2019, the Duchess of Cambridge goes for a light auburn tone, wearing her long hair in loose, less even waves—a departure from the perfectly coiffed, classic curls she wore throughout the early years of her marriage to Prince William.
Does she have one of those Dyson AirWraps or what? The Duchess didn’t let her style suffer an inch when the pandemic hit, keeping her waves as perfectly styled as ever.
As she steps out in her mask in 2021, Kate Middleton’s long brunette mane looks thick, healthy, and voluminous.
Once again, Middleton experiments with her hair color by trying out a subtle red ombre. Her roots are a stunning auburn that transitions to a softer brunette towards the ends. While the color is richer and darker than last time she tried red. She kept it styled it in her classic side part and soft, luxurious curls.
Like everyone who got sick of their pandemic hair, Middleton shook things up in November 2021, adding light highlights to her brunette hair that create a honey bronde look.
Nowadays, Middleton wears her hair long, with slightly less bounce and volume than previous years—though still just as healthy and sleek. She’s even opting for the youthful middle part popular with Gen Z. After all these years, there’s still not a split end in sight. Drop the conditioning routine, Kate!
In true British royalty fashion, Kate has been known to accessorize with hats and fascinators through the years to complement her wardrobe. Look at this perfect addition to Middleton’s red double-breasted coat! Meanwhile, Markle steps up her navy game with two feathers in her cap.
The Duchess’ braided updo is another style she often wears, especially when hats are involved.
And here’s the updo again, this time with another feathered fascinator:
Dare we say it? Her hair is royally good.
