Forgoing a fascinator for formal functions and official royal engagements, the Princess of Wales has become more enamored with padded and plush headbands. Offering a bit of monarchical magic to her otherwise reserved royal ensembles, these colorful headpieces give Kate’s conservative clothing a hint of pomp and pretty pageantry.
From a sparkly $30 beaded black band from Zara for the Festival of Remembrance to a $1466 Jane Taylor ivory tweed band with a decorative tuxedo bow, the princess has amassed a collection of stunning statement headbands.
Here are 10 of Kate Middleton’s Most Festive and Fashionable Headbands:
1. Moonlighting
Luxe and lavish, this black silk velvet headband made royal watchers swoon. A decidedly decadent accessory, the $1131 crescent moon headband courtesy of Jane Taylor was a show-stopping supplement to Kate’s forest green Catherine Walker coat accented with velvet worn for the Centenary of the Armistice service at Westminster Abbey in November 2018.
2. Flower Girl
While attending best friend Sophie Carter’s wedding in Norfolk in the fall of 2018, the princess looked beautiful in a cornflower blue coat dress by Catherine Walker which she accessorized with her Kiki blue topaz diamond drop earrings and coordinating Kiki Eden Blue Topaz Flower Necklace. Wearing her hair in a chic chignon, the princess donned a custom Juliette Botterill Millinery headband designed with decorative silk roses.
3. Baby Bliss
The princess stunned in this custom Jane Taylor headband for second son Prince Louis’ christening; the new mom wore a ‘Cassandra with Orchids’ headpiece featuring florals and pearls set on a thick ivory band. Similar style HERE
4. Banding Together
For family events like Christmas and Easter, Kate loves wearing this Diamond Crepe Pleated Band by Jane Taylor. The $800 dusky blue band is handcrafted and adorned with a scrunchie inspired bow at the back.
5. A Vision in Velvet
Kate’s sumptuous and stylish Lele Sadoughi black velvet padded headband looked elegant in Ireland for a royal visit in March 2020. Kate’s soft ‘Alice’ headband cost a mere $75 and is designed of ultra rich and luxurious velvet with a padded interior. Shop Lele Sadoughi on Amazon HERE
6. Pretty in Pink
Wearing a pale pink pussybow dress with a rich rose colored headband, the princess looked like a beautiful Barbie doll in her ensemble for Prince Archie’s royal christening. For a hairband, Kate donned a Juliette Botterill pleated band based on the brand’s $437 ‘Abaca’ pillbox plaited cocktail hat.
7. Sparkle and Shine
At the Festival of Remembrance, Kate donned this shiny crystal Zara headband with a dark navy dress believed to be from the design studio of Jenny Packham. Kate’s simple embellished accessory with a bit of padding gave her outfit a splash of seasonal sparkle and her hairdo a dash of delicate dazzle.
8. Burgundy Beauty
On Christmas Day 2018, Kate looked ready for a jolly good time opening presents with her royal relatives. The princess wore a new custom Jane Taylor ‘Calypso’ band crafted from soft felt with a brown bow at the base. Immediately following the outing, many of Kate’s fans rushed to purchase their own bow-tiful halo headbands.
9. Angels Among Us
The princess brought a festive ethereal energy to ANZAC Day services in April 2022 in a snowy ensemble. Wearing an angelic ivory McQueen coat plus a thick tweed band from Jane Taylor London — the princess was in fine form for the commemoration services at Westminster Abbey. Kate’s vanilla headband was also adorned with a black satin tuxedo bow at the nape of the neck for extra princess panache.
10. Crowning Glory
Rather than wear a tiara to King Charles’ coronation, the princess honored her father-in-law and his environmental conservation efforts with a leaf embroidered crown. The stunning silver design was the result of a sartorial collaboration between Jess Collett and the Alexander McQueen. Kate’s foliage filled three-dimensional headpiece was also a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II whose six Maids of Honor wore strikingly similar ornamental floral headdresses to assist the monarch on her coronation day in 1953. Similar style HERE
