There are few guarantees in life: death, taxes, and Kate Middleton's blow-dry. For over a decade, the Princess of Wales has treated us to a masterclass in polished brunette diplomacy – smooth, bouncy, immaculately turned under at the ends. A hairstyle so reliable it might as well be written into royal tradition. And yet at last night's BAFTAs, she swerved.
Gone was the familiar Sloane Square swoosh and in its place ultra-glam 80s curls, dialled up and brushed out into something with so much cinematic presence it in itself deserved a trophy.
The silhouette was all lift and va va voom volume, a glossy cascade that felt knowingly familiar. Julia Roberts' signature 80s blowout, anyone? You know the one: soft-focus, big-screen abundance that made every room feel like a rom-com meet-cute waiting to happen.
Now, while there was volume concentrated through the lengths, the crown (no pun intended) was still controlled, the finish gleaming rather than crunchy. It nodded to the decade of bold, eclectic style without tipping into transformation 101. Think Studio 54, if it offered regal disco.
Of course, the dependable Kensington blow-dry will always have its place; it's practically part of the royal toolkit! But this felt like the welcome drama the BAFTAs needed. After all, awards season thrives on spectacle, and here was spectacle with restraint: bigger hair, sharper intention.
In a sea of safe waves and glossy bobs, the Princess stole the spotlight – but can we expect anything less from a woman who has quietly turned her blow-dry into a global benchmark? (Spoiler: No, no, we shouldn't.)
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
