The 2026 BAFTAs Are The Closest We've Gotten To Kate Middleton's Natural Hair On A Red Carpet
Kate Middleton has been providing us with hair inspiration for years. Since her marriage to Prince William in 2011, Kate has attended many events looking effortlessly put together. But one of her best hair moments in recent history also happens to be the most unique. Kate captured our attention at the 2026 BAFTAs, where she not only re-wore a stunning blush pink Gucci dress, but also donned gorgeous, full-bodied curls. Kate Middleton's natural hair is so different from her normal style, and so, during the rare moments where her un-styled hair is on display, we've gotten to see Kate's curls. Unlike the straightened or softly curled hair she typically wears for public appearances, Kate's natural hair is a mix of waves and ringlets.
While the curls she wore to the BAFTAs were more consciously styled, it's the closest we've gotten to seeing the Princess of Wales showcase her natural curls at a formal event. She has shown off her voluminous un-styled hair in public a few times, but seldom on purpose. During a trip to the Solomon Islands in 2012, humidity caused Kate's hair to curl up. This was far from a beauty faux pas, as, even when bombarded by extreme heat and water, the royal still looked stunning.
Kate Middleton has experimented with her hair over the past few years
Though Kate Middleton sticks to a pretty consistent haircut — with subtle layers and bouncy waves as two must-haves — she has been known to switch up her look from time to time. Kate Middleton's natural hair color got a chic upgrade in September 2025 when she debuted honey-blond locks at the Natural History Museum gardens. While many assumed that the Princess of Wales had employed hair dye to achieve the new color, Kate explained to actor Su Pollard at the Royal Variety Performance that her hair had simply lightened a few shades from sun exposure (a fact corroborated by sources who told The Daily Mail in 2025 that the change had occurred during a holiday in Greece). We can only imagine how fabulous Kate's natural curls looked in the lighter color.
Besides the color change, Kate has also experimented by making slight changes to her typical haircut. The royal fashion icon debuted a face-framing fringe in 2023, giving her hair a more laid-back (not to mention trendy) vibe. Kate Middleton's curtain bangs are the only hair inspo you'll need; the new cut refreshed her look, complimenting her bouncy layers effortlessly. Kate has truly done it all in terms of hair styling, which we adore, but we still hope to see her embrace her natural curls more often.