Princess Kate debuts schoolgirl plait at 44 in ultra-rare hair switch-up

On Tuesday, the Princess of Wales headed to Bradford for a series of engagements to highlight the importance of community and nature.

In the morning, Kate cut a stylish figure, wearing a tailored blazer by Holland Cooper, which she paired with a mocha brown rollneck jumper, and terracotta-toned trousers by Jigsaw. 

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The 44-year-old wore her stunning mane of hair loose and in light curls at the Family Action's Children's Trauma Therapy Service in West Yorkshire, where she met therapists, families and children, and joined a creative therapy session, for her first solo 'royal away day' of the year. 

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Later, Kate headed to Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Club to learn about their outreach programmes - even taking to the pitch herself for a skills session.

Kate's plait

Changing into more casual attire, including a khaki green Barbour jacket, Kate looked like a super sleek action Barbie as she met with one of the rugby team's players, and she decided she needed to tie her hair up. 

© Dominic Lipinski / Kensington Palace

Of course, the princess has regularly been crowned the unofficial queen of the updo over the years, sporting glamorous, intricate 'dos, which have admittedly included plaits, but this is the first time we've seen the brunette royal wear her hair in a side plait, which is reminiscent of a style school girls often sport.

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Kate's viral hair moment

In September 2025, on a royal engagement at the Suffolk Silk Mills in Sudbury, Kate showed off a very quick hack that she uses to style her hair when she's out and about – and she made it look completely effortless. 

The royal showed the world that styling her voluminous, then newly blonde, locks into a bun is easy. With no hairband or mirror, just experience and a couple of seconds to fix it up, Kate quite literally rolled her hair up. Brett MacDonald from CULT Hairdressing told us that "when the hair is twisted before rolling it up, wrapping closer to the head each time, it causes the hair to self-tighten and lock in the base". 

He added: "It works particularly well with long hair and we, hairdressers, use it all the time on wet hair to secure it without clips or pins when leaving the basins. I love the effortless elegance the Princess of Wales demonstrated, clearly showing that she has practised and applied it previously."

15 times the royals chose a plaited hairstyle...

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Venice plait (June 2011)

Charlotte Casiraghi wears a classic side plait in Venice.

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Sophisticated plaits (May 2012)

For a night at the Royal Albert Hall, Princess Kate wears an intricate updo with small plaits intertwined into her hair.

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Half-up half-down (June 2012)

At the wedding of Emily McCorquodale and James Hutt, Princess Kate adds a plait to her half-up, half-down look.

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© Bryan Bedder

Slick side look (Feb 2014)

At a Miu Miu event, Meghan chooses a rare side plait.​​​​

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Artistic French braids (Feb 2016)

While attending the opening of the International Contemporary Art Fair in Madrid, Queen Letizia styles her hair in two sharp French braids within a plaited bun.

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Double trouble (Feb 2017)

Opting for a twist on the standard French plait, the royal chooses a double plait updo for an event in Madrid.

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© Daniele Venturelli

Cannes chic (May 2017)

Charlotte Casiraghi wears a wispy braid at the Cannes Film Festival.

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Fashionable fishtail (June 2017)

Princess Beatrice opts for a fishtail braid adorned with a navy ribbon at Royal Ascot.

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Bridal braids (Oct 2018)

Princess Eugenie wears her hair in a low, glossy chignon with two face-framing strands for her wedding.

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Royal ribbon (June 2019)

Princess Charlotte wears loose plaits joined by a ribbon at Trooping the Colour.

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Braided updo (Jan 2020)

The back of Queen Letizia’s hair is intricately woven into a plait and paired with a sharp navy blazer for the New Year Military parade.

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Polished low bun (March 2021)

For the Oprah Winfrey interview, Meghan Markle chooses a polished low braided bun with wispy strands at the front.

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Coronation braid (May 2023)

Princess Charlotte wears a neat braided updo for the coronation of King Charles.

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Wimbledon twist (July 2025)

Princess Charlotte wears a twisted side braid for Wimbledon.

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Braided bun (Nov 2025)

At the Service of Remembrance, the Princess of Wales wears a neatly braided bun under her hat.

Love the plait? Or not a fan. And which hairstyle would you like to see Kate try next? Let me know in the comments! I'll be sure to read and reply to anything you post.