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.
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.
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Princess Margaret poses for a portrait in the 1940s.
Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor.
The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon. in 1950.
Queen Elizabeth in 1954.
Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco, in 1955.
Grace Kelly's soft curls and metallic headband in 1955.
A classic Old Hollywood wave on Grace Kelly in 1955.
Queen Elizabeth in 1955.
Grace Kelly in 1956.
Princess Margaret in 1956.
Princess Anne Marie of Greece in 1964.
Queen Elizabeth decked out in jewels in 1965.
The Empress of Iran, Farah Pahlavi, wearing classic mod beauty in 1967.
A blue bow headband on Princess Margaret in 1967.
A '60s wrapped bouffant on Princess Margaret in 1969.
Queen Elizabeth in 1970.
Princess Anne's voluminous hair in 1971.
Princess Anne in 1973.
Princess Diana's iconic shaggy haircut in 1981.
Princess Diana in 1983.
Longer, layered hair on Princess Diana in 1987.
Princess Diana in 1988.
Princess Diana in an ornate tiara from the crown jewels in 1989.
A shorter haircut on Princess Diana in 1991.
Slicked-back hair on Princess Diana in 1995.
Side-swept bangs on Princess Diana in 1995.
Queen Anne Marie in 1996.
Queen Rania of Jordan in 1999.
Queen Elizabeth in 2000.
Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco's statement-red curls in 2002.
Queen Rania's low and loose braid in 2004.
The start of the Kate Middleton bouncy blowout obsession in 2010.
The Duchess of Cambridge chose a half-up style for her wedding in 2011.
A looped and coiled updo on Kate Middleton in 2012.
Pearl pins dressed-up The Duchess of Cambridge's twisted chignon in 2012.
Half-up curls are one of Middleton's signature styles, seen here in 2012.
Twisted curls on Middleton in 2013.
Princess Sofia of Sweden in 2014.
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Even royals can wear ponytails, as seen on The Duchess of Cambridge in 2015.
A sleek low bun for Princess Sofia's wedding in 2015.
Subtle golden highlights on Princess Sofia in 2015.
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Queen Elizabeth's signature hairstyle in 2015.
A hat is no excuse for a boring hairstyle; The Duchess of Cambridge styles hers with a coiled side-bun in 2015.
The Princess of Thailand, Sirivannavari Nariratana, wearing a sleek looped braid in 2016.
Queen Rania's shiny waves in 2016.
The Duchess of Cambridge continues her reign as the queen of bouncy blowouts in 2017.
Princess Victoria in 2017.
Queen Letizia of Spain in 2017.
Queen Letizia of Spain in 2017.
A floral tiara on Queen Letizia in 2017.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands in 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).
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.
Kate Middleton debuted a shorter haircut for her third pregnancy. The lob makes her signature ringlets look even bouncier than usual.
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.
Markle lets her hair down in signature loose curls a few days after her wedding.
An elegant side bun is the perfect style for under a large hat or fascinator.
The sleekest, glossiest waves we've seen on Markle during her royal tour of Ireland.
Nearly-beachy waves and curls have become one of Markle's signature styles.
Markle perfected the curling iron ringlet at the Trooping of the Colour event in 2018.
For the Christening of Prince Louis, Middleton wore a low updo and a hat-meets-headband unlike anything we've seen before.
The Duchess of Cambridge rocked a voluminous blowout with soft waves during the royal tour of Sweden and Norway.
Princess Eugenie sported a low side bun with side swept bangs under her pillbox hat for the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Forgoing a classic fascinator for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, Princess Beatrice wore a layered headband by Stephen Jones with loose waves.
Queen Letizia of Spain topped of her crisp, white suit with pin straight locks.
Princess of Thailand Sirivannavari Nariratana attended the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter runway show rocking a low ponytail with a middle part.
Princess Sofia of Sweden nailed effortless loose curls during Princess Victoria's 41st birthday celebrations.
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.
For Princess Eugenie's wedding, Kate Middleton topped off her twisted side bun with a magenta fascinator.
For her sister Eugenie's wedding, Princess Beatrice paired her half-up half-down hairstyle with a thick cobalt blue and purple headband.
Queen Rania of Jordan looked sleek with a deep side part and big barrel curls.
The Duchess of Cambridge attended a State Banquet dinner at Buckingham Palace with a twisted updo that let the Lover's Knot tiara shine.
Queen Letizia of Spain looked put together with a fresh chop, complete with face framing layers.
Queen Maxima of The Netherlands looked nothing short of regal with side swept bangs pulled into chic twisted bun.
Kate Middleton donned loose waves and honey highlights for an outing in London.
Queen Elizabeth made an appearance for a night on the town with her perfectly coiffed curls.
Kate Middleton stepped out with her glossy hair parted down the middle and styled into her signature loose curls.
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.
Attending a Remembrance Day service at Westminster Abbey, the Duchess of Cambridge topped off her updo with a black velvet headband.
For Prince Charles' 70th birthday party, the Duchess of Cambridge was all about the glamour sporting an intricate updo and diamond drop earrings.
For the Nobel Prize Banquet in Stockholm, Princess Sofia of Sweden wore a loose updo with small, face framing tendrils.
Making us all want to hop on the hair bow trend, Kate Middleton added a velvet black ribbon to her ponytail.
The Duchess of Sussex topped off her monochrome look with a side part and simple updo.
The Duchess of Sussex made top buns feel chic again with her pulled back hairstyle at an engagement with the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Attending the BAFTAs in a one-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown, Kate looked like a true princess with her twisted updo.
The Duchess of Cambridge pulled her loose curls back into a half-up half-down hairstyle for the 100 Women In Finance Gala Dinner.
For a royal visit to Morocco, the Duchess of Sussex kept her locks down with a side part and slight wave.
The Duchess of Sussex pulled her hair back into a tight bun for a reception in Morocco.
Meghan paired her gold drop earrings with a ladylike ponytail during a royal visit to Morocco.
The Duchess of Cambridge visited The Foundling Museum sporting loose curls and a side part.
The Duchess of Sussex attended a Commonwealth Day Youth Event wearing a low bun complete with loose tendrils.
Meghan sported a twisted chignon with her white pillbox hat for a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
Queen Rania of Jordan arrived in Paris sporting a fresh blowout that was all about the volume and artfully placed curls.
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.
See how royal hairstyles have evolved over the years—from loose curls in the 1920s to Markle's waves of 2019.
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