The Best Royal Hairstyles Through the Years
The Best Royal Hairstyles Through the Years
Royal hairstyles were both traditional and predictable for centuries—until Princess Diana rose to fame and made her signature hairstyle the must-have haircut of the '80s. The world fell in love with Kate Middleton and her bouncy blowout, and then suddenly the popularity of blowout bars exploded across the world. Now we have Meghan Markle, who isn't afraid to wear her hair up, down, straight, curly, or in a messy bun. Ahead, see how royal hairstyles have evolved over the years—from loose curls in the 1920s to Markle's waves of 2019.
1914
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
1920
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
1923
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
1935
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
1937
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
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1940s
Princess Margaret poses for a portrait in the 1940s.
1940
Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor.
1950
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon. in 1950.
1954
Queen Elizabeth in 1954.
1955
Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco, in 1955.
1955
Grace Kelly's soft curls and metallic headband in 1955.
1955
A classic Old Hollywood wave on Grace Kelly in 1955.
1955
Queen Elizabeth in 1955.
1956
Grace Kelly in 1956.
1956
Princess Margaret in 1956.
1964
Princess Anne Marie of Greece in 1964.
1965
Queen Elizabeth decked out in jewels in 1965.
1967
The Empress of Iran, Farah Pahlavi, wearing classic mod beauty in 1967.
1967
A blue bow headband on Princess Margaret in 1967.
1969
A '60s wrapped bouffant on Princess Margaret in 1969.
1970
Queen Elizabeth in 1970.
1971
Princess Anne's voluminous hair in 1971.
1973
Princess Anne in 1973.
1981
Princess Diana's iconic shaggy haircut in 1981.
1983
Princess Diana in 1983.
1987
Longer, layered hair on Princess Diana in 1987.
1988
Princess Diana in 1988.
1989
Princess Diana in an ornate tiara from the crown jewels in 1989.
1991
A shorter haircut on Princess Diana in 1991.
1995
Slicked-back hair on Princess Diana in 1995.
1995
Side-swept bangs on Princess Diana in 1995.
1996
Queen Anne Marie in 1996.
1999
Queen Rania of Jordan in 1999.
2000
Queen Elizabeth in 2000.
2002
Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco's statement-red curls in 2002.
2004
Queen Rania's low and loose braid in 2004.
2010
The start of the Kate Middleton bouncy blowout obsession in 2010.
2011
The Duchess of Cambridge chose a half-up style for her wedding in 2011.
2012
A looped and coiled updo on Kate Middleton in 2012.
2012
Pearl pins dressed-up The Duchess of Cambridge's twisted chignon in 2012.
2012
Half-up curls are one of Middleton's signature styles, seen here in 2012.
2013
Twisted curls on Middleton in 2013.
2014
Princess Sofia of Sweden in 2014.
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2015
Even royals can wear ponytails, as seen on The Duchess of Cambridge in 2015.
2015
A sleek low bun for Princess Sofia's wedding in 2015.
2015
Subtle golden highlights on Princess Sofia in 2015.
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2015
Queen Elizabeth's signature hairstyle in 2015.
2015
A hat is no excuse for a boring hairstyle; The Duchess of Cambridge styles hers with a coiled side-bun in 2015.
2016
The Princess of Thailand, Sirivannavari Nariratana, wearing a sleek looped braid in 2016.
2016
Queen Rania's shiny waves in 2016.
2017
The Duchess of Cambridge continues her reign as the queen of bouncy blowouts in 2017.
2017
Princess Victoria in 2017.
2017
Queen Letizia of Spain in 2017.
2017
Queen Letizia of Spain in 2017.
2017
A floral tiara on Queen Letizia in 2017.
2017
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands in 2017.
2017
Meghan Markle announced her engagement to Prince Harry with a blowout so insanely perfect, Kate Middleton would be jealous (or at least ask her for her hairstylist's phone number).
2017
Markle wore her hair down and swept over to one side for her official engagement portraits.
2017
Markle often prefers to style her hair in a messy bun for royal engagements. Two face-framing tendrils soften the look.
2017
Instead of soft waves, Markle is now favoring a straighter hairstyle that still has plenty of body and movement. The face-framing pieces are slightly curled away from the face, but only at the very ends.
2018
Kate Middleton debuted a shorter haircut for her third pregnancy. The lob makes her signature ringlets look even bouncier than usual.
2018
Meghan Markle's low bun at her wedding to Prince Harry caused quite the stir. Some thought it was too messy (the falling face-framing tendrils, mostly) while others thought the loose style was the perfect romantic style.
2018
Markle lets her hair down in signature loose curls a few days after her wedding.
2018
An elegant side bun is the perfect style for under a large hat or fascinator.
2018
The sleekest, glossiest waves we've seen on Markle during her royal tour of Ireland.
2018
Nearly-beachy waves and curls have become one of Markle's signature styles.
2018
Markle perfected the curling iron ringlet at the Trooping of the Colour event in 2018.
2018
For the Christening of Prince Louis, Middleton wore a low updo and a hat-meets-headband unlike anything we've seen before.
2018
The Duchess of Cambridge rocked a voluminous blowout with soft waves during the royal tour of Sweden and Norway.
2018
Princess Eugenie sported a low side bun with side swept bangs under her pillbox hat for the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
2018
Forgoing a classic fascinator for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, Princess Beatrice wore a layered headband by Stephen Jones with loose waves.
2018
Queen Letizia of Spain topped of her crisp, white suit with pin straight locks.
2018
Princess of Thailand Sirivannavari Nariratana attended the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter runway show rocking a low ponytail with a middle part.
2018
Princess Sofia of Sweden nailed effortless loose curls during Princess Victoria's 41st birthday celebrations.
2018
For her wedding day, Princess Eugenie tapped hairstylist Sonnie Jo Macfarlane, who pulled her silky locks back into a twisted chignon with face framing tendrils.
2018
For Princess Eugenie's wedding, Kate Middleton topped off her twisted side bun with a magenta fascinator.
2018
For her sister Eugenie's wedding, Princess Beatrice paired her half-up half-down hairstyle with a thick cobalt blue and purple headband.
2018
Queen Rania of Jordan looked sleek with a deep side part and big barrel curls.
2018
The Duchess of Cambridge attended a State Banquet dinner at Buckingham Palace with a twisted updo that let the Lover's Knot tiara shine.
2018
Queen Letizia of Spain looked put together with a fresh chop, complete with face framing layers.
2018
Queen Maxima of The Netherlands looked nothing short of regal with side swept bangs pulled into chic twisted bun.
2018
Kate Middleton donned loose waves and honey highlights for an outing in London.
2018
Queen Elizabeth made an appearance for a night on the town with her perfectly coiffed curls.
2018
Kate Middleton stepped out with her glossy hair parted down the middle and styled into her signature loose curls.
2018
Queen Maxima of The Netherlands kept her hairstyle simple with beachy waves and a deep side part so her diamond and ruby crown could really steal the show.
2018
Attending a Remembrance Day service at Westminster Abbey, the Duchess of Cambridge topped off her updo with a black velvet headband.
2018
For Prince Charles' 70th birthday party, the Duchess of Cambridge was all about the glamour sporting an intricate updo and diamond drop earrings.
2018
For the Nobel Prize Banquet in Stockholm, Princess Sofia of Sweden wore a loose updo with small, face framing tendrils.
2018
Making us all want to hop on the hair bow trend, Kate Middleton added a velvet black ribbon to her ponytail.
2019
The Duchess of Sussex topped off her monochrome look with a side part and simple updo.
2019
The Duchess of Sussex made top buns feel chic again with her pulled back hairstyle at an engagement with the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
2019
Attending the BAFTAs in a one-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown, Kate looked like a true princess with her twisted updo.
2019
The Duchess of Cambridge pulled her loose curls back into a half-up half-down hairstyle for the 100 Women In Finance Gala Dinner.
2019
For a royal visit to Morocco, the Duchess of Sussex kept her locks down with a side part and slight wave.
2019
The Duchess of Sussex pulled her hair back into a tight bun for a reception in Morocco.
2019
Meghan paired her gold drop earrings with a ladylike ponytail during a royal visit to Morocco.
2019
The Duchess of Cambridge visited The Foundling Museum sporting loose curls and a side part.
2019
The Duchess of Sussex attended a Commonwealth Day Youth Event wearing a low bun complete with loose tendrils.
2019
Meghan sported a twisted chignon with her white pillbox hat for a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
2019
Queen Rania of Jordan arrived in Paris sporting a fresh blowout that was all about the volume and artfully placed curls.
See how royal hairstyles have evolved over the years—from loose curls in the 1920s to Markle's waves of 2019.