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Duchtress of Cambridge

From bouncy blow-dries to royal up-dos, we chart Kate Middleton’s ever-changing hairstyles

The Duchess of Cambridge visited Wimbledon sporting a drastically different do, sending fans wild for her shorter cut

FROM bouncy blow-dries to royal up-dos, Kate Middleton’s locks have been the envy of the nation.

Which is why, when she visited Wimbledon, sporting a drastically different do, fans went wild for her shorter cut.

 Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton attending Wimbledon
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Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton attending WimbledonCredit: Splash News

Here JENNY FRANCIS charts the Duchess of Cambridge’s hair and grace.

The Ring Leader

 Kate models on the catwalk at a student fashion show in 2002
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Kate models on the catwalk at a student fashion show in 2002Credit: Getty Images

March 2002: The History of Art student may have caught William’s eye at a fashion show at St Andrews University , but our eyes were on her choice of hairdo.

Tight, messy ringlets left to hang by her face – showing a laidback “I woke up like this” sense of style.

The Relaxed Blow-dry

 Kate with Prince William pictured soon after announcing their engagement in 2010
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Kate with Prince William pictured soon after announcing their engagement in 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

November 2010: The moment the royals announced their engagement – and the time Kate’s hair had a right royal epiphany.

She grew her locks for the special occasion, showcasing relaxed waves and one hell of a shine which became her trademark.

The Wedding Mane-ia

 The Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011
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The Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

April 2011: Kate went against the princess tradition of saying “I do” with hair off-the-face in a structured up-do.

Instead she wore hers loosely curled and swept gracefully half-up. Some loved her mix of classic curls and modern down-do, others found it boring.

The Natural Wave

 Just three months after the royal wedding, Kate's locks look very different
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Just three months after the royal wedding, Kate's locks look very different

July 2011: Fast forward three months and we see Kate, and her locks, in a very different light.

Her perfectly tonged curls have been replaced by the slightly frizzy, naturally wavy hair most of us would only sport on holiday in a horribly humid climate.

The Sleek 'n' Sultry

 With no fringe – Kate’s casual curls give her a truly regal ’air
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With no fringe – Kate’s casual curls give her a truly regal ’air

April 2012: After her minor post-wedding hair hiccup, 12 months on Kate is back on top form with one of her most celebrated styles.

Long, dark and gloriously glossy – with no fringe – Kate’s casual curls give her a truly regal ’air.

The Bronde

 Kate pictured with her longest hairstyle to-date
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Kate pictured with her longest hairstyle to-date

July 2013: After giving birth to her firstborn, Prince George, Kate showed off her longest hairstyle to-date. Her locks were also sporting a brand new shade.

The brunette roots to blonde ends – or bronde colour – gave the new mum a fresh face.

The Half-hearted

 Kate pictured during the countdown to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup 14 April 2014
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Kate pictured during the countdown to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup 14 April 2014Credit: Getty Images

April 2014: This is not curly, not straight, not up, not down. In fact, it is actually a bit of a nothing hair-do.

The Duchess’ tresses have lost their bounce, and her flyaways make the look even more lacklustre. This is not one of her best.

The Long-winded

 The huge volume blow-dry helps frame Kate's face
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The huge volume blow-dry helps frame Kate's face

July 2015: Two months after the birth of her second child – Princess Charlotte – Kate gets the royal seal of approval with this luxuriant, long style.

The huge volume blow-dry helps frame the face.

The Side Sweep

 A photo of Kate changing up her look with a short, side sweeping fringe
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A photo of Kate changing up her look with a short, side sweeping fringe

October 2015: Her brunette tresses are still long and luscious, but Kate has changed up her look with a short, side sweeping fringe.

The front-chop covers her forehead, but this look might be a bit too youthful for Kate’s more mature face.

The Middy Flick

 Kate with Prince William visiting the mentoring programme of the XLP project, London Wall on 11 March 2016
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 Kate with Prince William visiting the mentoring programme of the XLP project, London Wall on 11 March 2016Credit: Getty Images

March 2016: Our fave look on the Duchess. This mid-length, natural brunette style shouts out modern royal with its big bounce and blow-dried flicks.

Not only do Kate’s ends look wonderfully healthy, this look frames her face perfectly.

The Royal Bun

 Kate pictured arriving for a Bollywood Inspired Charity Gala at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel during the royal visit to India and Bhutan in April 2016
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Kate pictured arriving for a Bollywood Inspired Charity Gala at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel during the royal visit to India and Bhutan in April 2016Credit: Getty Images

April 2016: We have got nothing against an up-do, but Kate’s royal bun isn’t the one – and does nothing to showcase her gorgeous thick locks.

Pinned back behind her ear in a low bun, this dull style comes across as more mumsy than modern.

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