Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Kate Middleton changes her hair colour more than you might think! All her transformations over the years

The Duchess loves to experiment with shades


kate hair changes
Fiona Ward
Acting Fashion and Beauty Editor
February 2, 2021
Share this:

The Duchess of Cambridge may be well known for her glossy brunette locks, but she does like to change up her look from time to time! In fact, Kate is rarely seen with just a straight-up dark tone to her hair - she likes to add dimension with sun-kissed pieces, or even auburn tones.

Of course, one thing never changes, and that's the elegant styling of her locks - whether it's up or down, straight or curly, the royal always nails her classic look. Scroll down to see all her royal colour changes over the years!

MORE: 13 times the royals wore perfect plaits

Kate switched up her look as she took part in a video call with nurses in her role as patron of the Nursing Now campaign back in January, swapping her trademark tousled waves for straightened hair. She still appeared to have some blonde running through her hair, although it now seems much more subtle than when she first unveiled her lighter locks in 2020.

kate hair 2020© Photo: Getty Images

Following the coronavirus lockdown in the UK, Kate made an appearance in Sheffield rocking some subtle blonde pieces in her hair. It looked like she had added some shorter, face-framing layers, too - no doubt she was thrilled to have been able to see her stylist once salons reopened…

kate hair lockdown 2020

Before that, she had been embracing the warmer tones in her hair during the lockdown - while some speculated that she had had a go at dyeing it at home.

Keep scrolling for more images...

kate hair ireland

During her royal visit to Ireland in March 2020, Kate seemed to rocking a freshly-chopped style, with a flattering chocolate brown tone. 

kate hair back

But in January of that year, she was embracing a more auburn shade - and just look at that intricate style! 

MORE: 8 of Kate Middleton's cosiest winter outfits: From knitwear to dresses

kate christmas hair

Christmas 2019 saw the royal wearing a subtle chestnut look.

kate blonde© Photo: Getty Images

During her appearance at the King's Cup sailing regatta in August 2019, she appeared to be wearing much more blonde in her hair - but was it the result of her summer holiday to Mustique, or a salon appointment?

1 kate hair colour© Photo: Getty Images

Earlier in 2019, Kate opted for a natural chestnut brown look - seen above - with some beautiful face-framing highlights through the front of her hair.

More recently, she has been choosing looser curls rather than the tighter bouncy blow-dry she formerly favoured. 

2 kate hair colour© Photo: Getty Images

But just in December 2018, the Duchess appeared to have gone for a slightly warmer look, with fewer highlights. Just look at that shine! 

SEE PHOTOS: Royal Style Watch - 2020 edition! The most memorable outfits from Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more

3 kate hair coloura© Photo: Getty Images

In February of that year, while pregnant with Prince Louis, Kate was rocking a darker, cooler brown - seen here at the annual BAFTA awards. For the glamorous evening, the Duchess chose to for a fuller look with her hairstyle - she wouldn't want to show up those glittering emeralds, eh?

4 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

Kate was wearing her hair long and dark at the beginning of 2017 - here she is at a Heads Together event in London, which she attended with Prince William and Prince Harry. 

MORE: Meghan Markle's hairdresser reveals her style secrets

5 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

Later that year she cropped it much shorter, wearing it in a rare mid-parting and adding some subtle blonde pieces once again. You can't blame a brunette for wanting to go a little lighter during the summer! 

6 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

These shots of Kate taken in October 2016 show several blonde highlights underneath her thick dark hair, which have been pulled through in her ponytail. 

13 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

Pictured a month later in November, she appears to be sporting an on-trend balayage! Gorgeous.

7 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

For Christmas engagements in 2015, it was a darker chocolate brown and a parted fringe, which Kate called her 'mum fringe' at the time! 

8 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

She'd previously been wearing it in a longer, lighter look throughout the year. Wouldn't you love to see her try this again? Her stylist Richard Ward dubbed it the 'gringe' - or the grown-out fringe - though apparently, Kate was a bit unsure about the change at the time. 

MORE: The caped crusaders! Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more rocking chic capes

9 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

In her earlier years as a royal, Kate often wore her hair down and loose in a natural brunette tone. Here she is photographed during her 2014 visit to Canberra during a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand - the first official trip with a young Prince George! 

10 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

During her first pregnancy, she had some pretty bold blonde highlights put in, seen here at the wedding of William van Cutsem and Rosie Ruck Keene in May 2013. 

11 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

The lightest (and probably the most natural!) we've ever seen Kate's hair is arguably during the Duke and Duchess' tour of Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in 2012! Her long locks were sun-kissed and beachy during their visit to Tavanipupu. 

12 kate hair© Photo: Getty Images

Unsurprisingly, for her engagement and subsequent royal wedding in 2011, the Duchess stuck to a very classic, timeless dark brunette look. Stunning! 

Transform your routine with expert advice from our beauty and wellness team

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Hair

See more