There are few things that excite us more than royal weddings. From the decor to the fashion, each event is filled with enough inspiration to keep us talking for years—which is why we don’t mind waking up at dawn to catch a glimpse of the gowns, the guests, the hats, and last but not least, the hair.
Yes, of course, the dress is important, but the sophisticated styles and updos we’ve spotted on royal brides and wedding guests alike are just as noteworthy. Plus, unlike Kate Middleton’s $434,000 wedding dress, we can actually recreate these looks ourselves.
From Grace Kelly’s timeless bun to Amal Clooney’s cascading waves, here are some of the best ‘dos we’ve spotted at royal weddings. Obviously, we’ll be taking notes for any future wedding we'll be attending.
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Kate Middleton
We of course cannot talk about wedding hair without including Kate Middleton, who was the image of sophistication at her 2011 nuptials. The duch*ess of Cambridge wore her hair half-up, half-down with voluminous round curls and a stunning crown and veil. It was the perfect style to go with her lace-collared Alexander McQueen gown.
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Meghan Markle
In 2018, Meghan Markle married Prince Harry during a gorgeous, star-studded event. The duch*ess of Sussex wore her hair in a low bun parted down the middle. During the ceremony, she tucked the two front curls behind her ears and wore a diamond tiara with her sleek Givenchy gown. For the reception, Markle slipped into a chic, halter-neck Stella McCartney gown and let her curled front layers frame her face.
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Amal Clooney
The Clooneys were a vision when they attended the Duke and duch*ess's nuptials in 2018. Amal wore a sunny-colored midi-dress with a matching wide-brimmed hat. The human rights attorney's long, dark hair cascaded down her shoulders in loose, elegant curls.
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Princess Diana
One of the most iconic brides of all time, Princess Diana wore her hair in its signature style with a Spencer family tiara sitting atop her 'do at her 1981 nuptials to Prince Charles. A whopping 40-foot veil—created by the former husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel—attached to the tiara and flowed down past her dress.
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Carey Mulligan
Another celebrity couple that knocked it out of the park at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding? Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan and her husband Marcus Mumford, of Mumford & Sons. The Promising Young Woman star wore her platinum hair in a low updo, embellished with a feather headpiece in the back. She left a few long, curled layers out in the front to frame her face.
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Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly was the absolute picture of elegance on the day of her 1956 nuptials to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. The actress's blonde bob was pulled back into a tight updo and adorned with a beaded lace headpiece. The piece—which perfectly matched her fashionable, high-neck Helen Rose gown—was attached to a long, regal veil.
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Serena Williams
Serena Williams looked absolutely stunning as a guest at her good pal Meghan Markle's wedding. The world-renowned tennis pro wore her hair in long braids pulled back into a high ponytail and adorned with a unique, blush-colored architectural fascinator.
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Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, duch*ess of York, wore her dark hair in an updo that twisted into a low bun when she tied the knot to husband Jack Brooksbank. The princess left some curled strands out in the front and wore a diamond and emerald encrusted tiara that really made her green eyes pop.
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Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham brought her signature chic style when she attended Meghan and Harry’s nuptials. Posh Spice wore a glossy low pony with a few sleek pieces of hair framing her face. Her navy veiled fascinator perfectly matched her ensemble—a blue midi dress of her own creation.
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Princess Sofia of Sweden
Sofia Hellqvist tied the knot to Prince Carl Philipin a simple lace A-line dress, which she complimented with a low updo that was parted in the middle and adorned with a stunning diamond crown.
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Wallis Simpson
For her wedding to the Duke of Windsor at the Château de Candé in France, Wallis Simpson wore her hair in a middle-parted fixture with elegant finger waves. She paired her custom pale blue Mainbocher dress with an extravagant headpiece.
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Pippa Middleton
Pippa Middleton was a stunning maid-of-honor at her sister Kate's wedding in 2011. The younger Middleton pinned back her soft curls with a floral hair piece that matched her white, cowl-necked gown.
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Kate Middleton
At Pippa's wedding, older sister Kate wore a blush ensemble with a matching fascinator. Kate's hair was swept into a sophisticated updo that rested on the back of her neck.
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Sarah Ferguson
Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey in 1986. She wore her signature vibrant red hair half-back in curls and wispy bangs. The bride finished the look with a tiara and voluminous veil to match her puffy, '80s-esque sleeves.
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Princess Beatrice
Fergie's daughter Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozziin a small, private ceremony after postponing the nuptials. The bride fastened her light red locks into a half-up style that flowed into long curls. She topped it off with the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara—the same tiara Queen Elizabeth wore on her wedding day!
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Zara Tindall
Queen Elizabeth II's grand daughter married former rugby player Mike Tindall in 2011. Her blonde hair was swept back into an updo and adorned with a beautiful silver and diamond tiara.
39 of the Most Iconic Royal Wedding Dresses Throughout History