As if they weren't #blessed enough, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle both have extraordinarily beautiful hair. The Duchess of Cambridge is famous for her blindingly shiny locks, whereas the Duchess of Sussex is quickly becoming known for her impossibly chic "messy bun." Sure, they have top-of-the-line stylists on call, but that doesn't change the fact that both are clearly tress-blessed. Although we always love long, loose waves on the women, one hairstyle they nail every time is the updo. And let's be honest, people, the updo isn't an easy look to nail.
For the most part, the duchesses both wear their hair down. But every so often, when the occasion calls for it, the women wear their hair back and completely out of their face. And need we even say it? It always looks amazing.
Typically, Meghan goes for a parted-down-the-middle beachy-soft bun, while Kate tends to wear something a little more formal. Every updo always complements each of the women's style and fashion choices perfectly. And every updo is incredibly elegant and chic — just as one would suspect from a duchess.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
From Meghan's stunning royal wedding hair to Kate's fancy "business" styles, here are the duchesses' best updos. Work it, ladies. Work it.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Kate's Trooping the Color Hair
For a fancy occasion like Trooping the Color, one needs a fancy updo. Kate's stylist delivered. Prince Charles obviously looks like he's a fan, too — or maybe he's just enjoying the occasion with his daughter-in-law?
Meghan's Low Bun
Meghan loves a bun, and for a visit to the The Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in 2018, Meghan went sleek and elegant. She also has that signature lock tucked behind her ear.
Kate's Ponytail
Occasionally, the Duchess of Cambridge wears a simple ponytail. And somehow, it looks better than the average ponytail. We want to know what magical tool or process she uses to make her ponytails look so peppy.
Meghan's Piece-Y Look
At Wimbledon in 2018, Meghan wore her hair back but had thick pieces framing her face. Love. She's definitely the queen of the "messy updo," and somehow it always ends up looking perfectly un-perfect.
Kate's Ultra-Fancy Updo
On a trip to Sweden in 2018, Kate wore a dress — and an updo — unlike anything she's ever worn before. Very fancy, and a good way to show off those perfect drop earrings.
Meghan's Super-Sleek Updo
During her quick two-day tour of Ireland, Meghan went sleek — super sleek — with her hair for one of the events. Not everyone can pull off that middle part, but Meg does it perfectly.
Kate's Fit-for-a-Queen Updo
At the queen's annual Diplomatic Reception, Kate went all out with her updo and even placed a tiara in that bad boy. Looking good!
Meghan's Side Part
When Meghan arrived in Dublin in 2018, she had a rare side part going with her slicked-back hair. Way to change it up. Wherever she places her part, her hair always ends up looking amazing.
Kate's Kind of Strange Updo
Is this even an updo? Hard to tell, but her hair certainly isn't down. (Kate loves hairnets, so we suspect there's one at play here. Very sneaky.)
Meghan's Fascinator Style
For the 100-year celebration of the Royal Air Force at Westminster Abbey, Meghan went with a small bun and an almost-equally small fascinator.
Kate's Intricate Style
During a trip to Belgium, Kate showed that she's not afraid of an elaborate hairdo. This intricate design is topped off with an elegant white hat, and totally picture worthy.
Meghan's Wedding Hair
If there ever was a memorable updo, this is it. Flawless. Meghan reportedly went with her signature "messy-bun" style for her wedding day, wanting to keep it on the fun and casual side. She always has been a free spirit!
Kate's Side-Swept Updo
Kate showed off a seriously pretty side-swept updo when she was on a visit to Germany. It shows off her highlights perfectly.
Meghan's Best Updo to Date
Sure, Meghan's wedding hair was gorgeous, but this — oh, this! — is an utterly perfect updo. Bravo, Meghan. Bravo.
Kate's 'Messy Bun'
Kate took a page right out of Meghan Markle's book for this messy bun look. Maybe Meg came over to Apartment 1-A at Kensington Palace to help her achieve this look? Or maybe she FaceTimed to help her get it just right. Stranger things have happened.
Meghan's Windswept Hair
Messy, windswept — whatever people want to call this style, it looks good. Meg's taking her casual updo to the next level with this hairstyle.
Kate's Posh 'Do
If this isn't a posh royal updo, we're not sure what is. Nailed it again, Kate. We can see Kate sporting this style again someday down the line when she is queen.
Meghan's Pillbox Perfection
Channeling Jackie-O! Meg channeled the former first lady with this retro style at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. It was also one of the last times she appeared in public before giving birth to baby Archie.
Kate's Perfect Pony
How does she do it? Kate nailed the ponytail yet again during a visit to North Wales in May 2019. She was visiting the Caernarfon Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Base here, so perfect place to tie her hair back to keep it out of her face.
Meghan's Single Stray Strand
Meg attended a Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House in London a couple of months before welcoming baby Archie. Nothing like the third trimester to make a mom appreciate an easy yet stylish updo.
Kate's Queenly Coif
Kate got a special honor normally reserved for Queen Elizabeth when she sported this chignon for the annual Beating the Retreat musical event. She attended in the queen's place, and was saluted by the troops, an honor usually only given to the monarch.
Meghan's Wisps
Meghan made a solo appearance for a panel discussion on International Women's Day, and looked every bit the pulled-together professional she is. Even her wisps do what they're told and stay where they're put.
Kate's Beachy Look
Kate opted for a functional ponytail while joining to Menai Bridge Scouts at Newborough Beach to explore the wildlife habitat. After all, it's not fun to have your hair constantly blowing in your face if it's not pulled back.
Meghan's Sleek Chignon
Meghan was glowing and her hair definitely had that pregnancy luster when she attended a reception to mark the 50th Anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London in spring 2019.
Kate's Best Pony Ever
Seriously, how does this duchess do it? We can practically see her ponytail bouncing in this photo. It somehow looks both casual but sophisticated, elegant but playful. Who knew ponytails could elicit so many emotions about hair?
Meghan's Perfect Pony
Meg took a page out of Kate Middleton's book for this perfect ponytail she sported while visiting Morocco with Prince Harry in 2019. It's also the perfect way to show off those amazing earrings.
Kate's Dramatic 'Do
What could take a complicated chignon with all kinds of twists to the next level? Add a smart fascinator — and several bold feathers. Kate sure knows how to make a statement!
Meghan's Simple Sophistication
Meg was the picture of sophistication while attending a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco during her tour of the country with Prince Harry. We love the simple yet elegant cut of her dress, too, and her understated makeup. She looks perfect.
Kate's 'Mom' Hair
Every mama with a grabby baby knows it's easier to keep your hair up and out of reach from those little fingers. We just all wish we could look at good as Kate doing it while holding her youngest son, Prince Louis.
Meghan's Glamorous Gala Look
Meg looked appropriately glamorous for a gala performance of The Wider Earth in support of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust & the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy at the Natural History Museum.
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