It’s no surprise that many beauty lovers look to the royal family for inspiration, and over the weekend, at the National Service of Remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph in London, the Princess of Wales provided another reference point worth bookmarking: an oversized, off-centre chignon.
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The Princess of Wales chats with her mother-in-law, Queen Camilla, during the event
Kate’s voluminous updo peeked out from under a wide-brimmed hat, gathered at the nape of her neck and pinned on the left-hand side. Paired with minimal makeup, including rosy cheeks, a coral lip, and her signature subtle smoky eye, Kate’s beauty styling exuded pure understated elegance. To get the look at home and minimise frizz, a few generous spritzes of hairspray, like L’Oréal Paris’ Elnett Extra Strong Hold, are key in locking the chignon in place.
While the royal is often touted for her loose, beachy waves, this distinguished look is a masterclass in traditional polished princess style. Arranged in layers, Kate’s sun-kissed highlights shone through even under the hat, complemented by her structured black coat by Catherine Walker, adorned with a red poppy brooch. And as evidenced by the tone of her still-bronde hair since she debuted the color courtside at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last August, Kate doesn’t seem to be planning to transition to a darker shade any time soon.
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