Rare Times Kate Middleton Ditched Her Signature Curls & Embraced Straight Hair

Ever since Catherine, Princess of Wales and William, Prince of Wales' relationship became public in the early 2000s, her beauty and fashion choices have been in the spotlight. While Kate Middleton always stuck to preppy and timeless aesthetics, she also gave us plenty of variety through the years. One of the easiest ways the royal switches up her look is styling her hair differently, and she has worn it wavy, curly, in sophisticated updos, and every now and then in a sleek, straight blowout.

Kate Middleton's hair color transformation was one of 2025's hottest trends, and her straight tresses serve as great inspiration for those who want to occasionally ditch anything more textured. While there have been rare times we got a glimpse of Kate Middleton's natural hair, she usually has it styled to perfection. Even though her signature look is curly and wavy, she has worn straight strands or a '90s blowout on a few occasions, proving that straight hair doesn't have to be boring.

In May 2022, Kate Middleton attended the U.K. premiere of the action film "Top Gun: Maverick" in London, England, and for the occasion, the Princess of Wales swapped her signature curls for a smooth straight blowout parted in the middle. The hairstyle was very modern, showing off the stunning length of her hair. Paired with the simple black and white gown and statement star earrings, the entire ensemble remains one of Kate Middleton's most regal looks of all time. 

During a visit from German officials in December 2025, Kate Middleton showed off just how healthy and shiny her hair looks. She attended the visit at Buckingham Palace, where she stunned with a side part and hair tucked behind her ears. The Princess of Wales' hair wasn't pin-straight, but instead a couple of pieces had subtle natural movement. Nevertheless, compared to her usual curls, this was definitely a switch up. Kate's black outfit and sleek hair were the perfect background for the statement jewels she rocked.

Back in July 2016, Kate Middleton and her family attended the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, England, and for the event, she paired a vibrant blue dress with a classic 90s blowout. To ensure her hair stays out of her face as much as possible on the windy day, the Princess of Wales accessorized with a polka dot headband that also provided an unexpected detail to her coif.

While Kate Middleton's straight hairstyles are much sleeker in recent years, back in the early 2010s, the royal's approach to straight hair was a tad messier. On April 28, 2011, the day before her wedding to Prince William, Kate was photographed alongside her sister, Pippa Middleton, outside of the Goring Hotel in London, England. The photos showcase her straight mane with an extra boost of volume, which gave off a nonchalant, cool-girl vibe.

Photos of Kate Middleton with straight hair showcase just how versatile the style can actually be. In November 2013, she attended a SportsAid charity event, to which she showed up with a layered blowout with the ends curling inward, reminiscent of the way that the most iconic haircut of all time, the Rachel, was styled. Of course, Kate's hair is much longer, but the layers and slight curl at the end add the same movement to the look.

In April 2014, Kate Middleton and Prince William went on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, and during a walk near Uluru, Australia, the Princess of Wales was photographed in a white-gray dress, accessorized with fun jewelry and smooth hair. At the time, her mane was noticeably shorter than the length she rocked in the 2020s, showcasing that straight strands suit her with a variety of haircuts.

During a visit to a charity event for children in February 2017 in Caerphilly, United Kingdom, Kate Middleton rocked a hairdo with a subtle curl at the bottom, even though the look would certainly still fall under the straight-hair category. The Princess of Wales had the face-framing pieces on both sides pulled back and set in place with bobby pins, creating the illusion of a half-up, half-down hairstyle. Paired with her vibrant red coat and delicate earrings, this was certainly a very sophisticated take on basic straight hair.

During a visit to Southampton, England, in June 2013, Kate Middleton stunned in a black and white polka dot dress and statement hat. Some of her hair was styled in a glamorous half-updo, while the rest of it looked streamlined, most likely thanks to a blowout. However, even royals can't fight the wind and humidity, as Kate's hair, which did have some frizz and flyaways at some point, shows.

Over the years, Kate Middleton has shown us how beautiful straight hair looks with a variety of partings. Middleton rocked a middle part and deep side parts, but most commonly, the Princess of Wales opts for a subtle side part. In June 2014, Kate wore the hairstyle during a visit to Bletchley, England, where her hair was blown out with a subtle curve at the ends. Paired with her black and white outfit and heavier eye makeup, the glossy hairstyle helped balance the look.

One of Kate Middleton's most memorable recent straight-hair moments remains the blowout she wore during a visit by Germany's president to Windsor, England, in December 2025. During the formal welcome, the Princess of Wales wore royal blue, a shade that looks particularly fabulous on her. Kate decided to pair the matching blue hat with straight hair, serving a glamorous beauty moment. Now, if you're inspired by all of the ways she rocks straight hair, be sure to also take a look at these pics of Kate Middleton's hair to bring to your next salon appointment!