8 Times Kate Middleton Proved Short Hair Is Totally Her Look

When it comes to famously long, luxurious locks, one of the first people likely to come to mind is Kate Middleton. Since officially becoming the Duchess of Cambridge in April 2011, Middleton has kept her hair on the long side, allowing her to have some serious iconic hair moments. It's a look that fits her style, and when you have hair that's so naturally stunning, it feels almost shameful to cut it.

"Patterns within the Royal Family indicate why Kate may have developed her signature look," founder of Neäl & Wølf professional haircare, Neil Capstick, told Express in 2022. "If you look at members of the Royal Family, you'll see that their style rarely changes ... For example, Queen Elizabeth has had the same short and curly style since she was a young lady. Princess Diana is another really good example of this, as her signature look only changed after her divorce to Charles." According to Capstick, this is likely because the royal family wants to be easily recognizable across the globe.

While this has certainly been the case most of the time for Middleton, she has gone short with her hair — at least, short for her. Believe it or not, Middleton has rocked a lob, which is perfect if you're dipping your toe into short hair, and has even wowed with a classic bob hairstyle. Granted, the latter was faux, but it proved something that perhaps Middleton has never considered before: short hair is totally her look.

When Kate Middleton initially went short for the first time and got bangs, the world gasped. Because everything Middleton does is scrutinized, some wondered what she was trying to say with the new 'do. But the decision for the fantastic lob wasn't steeped in mystery or subliminal messaging at all. "It's a practical style and a great option for a mom who has had long hair, who has a busy life and is short on time," Middleton's hairstylist Richard Ward told People in December 2015. "It's slightly more sophisticated but with all the benefits of long hair ... it's much easier to look after and takes half the time to blow dry." It's also a look that truly suited her.

After her short-hair stint of 2015, Kate Middleton let her hair grow back and well past her shoulders throughout 2016. But then she took a drastic turn and went the shortest she's ever gone with her haircuts. At Wimbledon in July 2017, Middleton showed off her classic long bob that gorgeously fell just at her shoulders. It's a length that leans more toward fun than her longer lengths, but it also still carries that polished and refined look for which Middleton is known.

Kate Middleton absolutely radiates in this photo from July 2017 for so many reasons. Yes, red is her color, but this wavy lob is probably her best hair look ever. In general, Middleton comes off as a very soft and kind person, and this length and style amplify that perception of the Duchess. Wavy lobs also transcend age and era. Not only are they one of the most flattering bob haircuts for older women, but they're also a look that's the epitome of the timeless sophistication trend. In other words, the wavy lob will never, ever go out of style.

When Kate Middleton attended the Sunken Garden that had been redesigned into a White Garden in memory of Princess Diana on the 20^th anniversary of her death in August 2017, it was obvious that she was looking to grow out her long bob from earlier in the summer. What's so great about a lob, or even a classic bob for that matter, is that it's easy to grow out. Granted, regular trims are necessary to keep it looking healthy, but unlike some cuts, like the pixie cut that goes through a bit of an awkward stage, the lob remains fairly low-maintenance.

For the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at The Cenotaph in November 2017, Kate Middleton went super-short and it looked beyond fabulous. While we know from images before and after this event that this is a faux bob, it's proof that chin-length haircuts offer a bold new look. Sadly, the chances of Middleton going this short in real life are zero to none. Unless, of course, she and Prince William end their relationship and Middleton goes for an epic post-divorce glow-up similar to that of Princess Diana. But even then, a bob of this caliber is likely not on her hairstyle agenda.

In December 2017, Kate Middleton attended Christmas Day Church service at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, and you could tell she was probably thinking about going back to her longer hair. Although it's still quite short for her, it has more length than it did in July 2017, and is perfectly and ever so slightly wind-blown, capturing Hallmark holiday movie energy. It's also worth noting that her Christmas Day outfit is a nod to Princess Diana, who wore a lot of plaid looks in her day.

Although we didn't see much of Kate Middleton during 2020 due to COVID-related lockdowns, in early March of that year, she attended a Gala Dinner in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Place2Be at Buckingham Palace, rocking what can only be categorized as the dad bob. "The dad bob requires less effort and the super chic length allows you the freedom to grab a claw clip for the lazy day hair," London hair stylist Hollie Rose Clarke told Glamour UK, adding that it's a non-commitment bob that doesn't have to change your usual hair routine. Middleton's choice to side-part this particular length elevates the whole look, keeping things classy and royal.

In August 2020, Kate Middleton visited Baby Basics UK & Baby Basics Sheffield, an organization that helps people provide for their newborns, and it looks as though she went shorter with her hair than it had been in March of that year. Here, Middleton proves again that shorter hair, as opposed to her extra-long tresses, really is a good look for her. While that may be the case, after her 2020 foray into lob land, Middleton has kept her hair long. So, maybe it's time for a cut again.