The Princess of Wales has once again proved that regal elegance is all about the half-updo. Last night, Her Royal Highness attended the Digger premiere in a stunning purple gown, paired with beautifully swept-up detailing that might just be Kate’s most polished look yet.
Whilst Kate is no stranger to a captivating half-updo and romantic curl (it was her bridal hair look, after all), this look felt softer and more relaxed than some of her usual formal hairstyles. Stepping out alongside leading man Tom Cruise, and her husband, Prince William, she looked every bit the modern princess.
John Frieda creative stylist Andreas Wild says the style balances modern effortlessness with timeless royalty, with the added texture and movement taking away from the more structured feel of her previous hairdos.
Arkive founder and hairstylist Adam Reed agrees that the look feels like a more relaxed take on Kate’s usual red-carpet hair. “We’re used to seeing Kate’s hair swept into a more contained updo for formal occasions. Here, the front has that lovely lift and polish, but the length is left loose at the back. It feels softer and more relaxed while still looking beautifully considered.”
The secret to Kate’s touchable texture
Andreas describes the style as a classic, high-volume shape with a touchable finish. There’s plenty of fullness through the crown, but the hair doesn’t look stiff or overly set. The softness through the sides keeps the overall look elegant without making it feel too conservative. “If the look were pressed flatter, it would lose that signature airy elegance,” he says, adding that volume at the roots is key to defining the shape.
Adam also highlights the contrast between the polished crown and the loose lengths. “There’s height through the crown, with the sides gently drawn back into a half-up shape. From the back, you can really see how the hair falls in long, soft waves. The surface is smooth and glossy, but the movement stops it feeling too set.”
How to adapt the style
Kate’s long, thick hair gives the style its natural fullness. Pulling the top section away from the face opens up her features and creates that lovely lift at the crown, whilst leaving the rest down allows her length and texture to take centre stage.
“With thicker hair, the key is to secure that top section well and let the lower lengths move freely,” says Adam. “Kate’s hair gives the style its natural fullness, while the loose waves stop it from looking too formal.”
The style would also work beautifully on finer hair with the right preparation. A little lift at the roots, combined with loose bends through the lengths, can create the illusion of extra volume without making the hair look overly styled.
How to recreate Kate’s royal look
The key is to create the volume before securing the hair in place. Adam recommends starting with a little volumising mousse or root lift, concentrating on the crown before blow-drying. The lengths can then be shaped with a large curling tong and brushed through afterwards, so the finish looks like soft, flowing waves rather than individual curls.“Gently bring the sides back and pin the top section securely, keeping a little softness around the face,” he says. “A light mist of hairspray will hold the shape without making it stiff.”
For anyone wanting to recreate Kate’s generous sweep of hair through the back, Adam says extensions can add extra length and fullness.
“I’d use Remi Cachet Extensions matched closely to the client’s own colour and texture, placing them discreetly beneath the half-up section. Then I’d wave the natural hair and extensions together, so the finish moves as one, with the fullness sitting through the lengths rather than weighing down the lift at the crown.”
The result is a style that feels unmistakably royal, but not overly formal: polished at the front, soft through the waves and effortlessly elegant from every angle.
