The Duchess of Cambridge started this trend two years ago - and it's still going strong

When the Duchess of Cambridge was photographed at the christening of her third child, Prince Louis, in July 2018, all (fashion) eyes were on her headwear. Usually a faithful proponent of something classic like a fascinator-type confection or pillbox, this time, Kate had donned an unusual padded headband in the style of Anne Boleyn.

It was our first inkling that the Duchess was shaking things up in the wardrobe department and the hatband, created by one of her favourite milliners, Jane Taylor, quickly became an essential element of Kate's makeover. Later that year, she wore a plush velvet version for a Remembrance service and at Christmas, she chose a crimson style to match her Catherine Walker and Co. coat.

The headbands have kept on coming, too - last November, Kate trialled a gem-encrusted take by Zara and in Ireland earlier this year, she amped up her Emerald-Isle-green outfit with another velvet Alice band, the sort of thing any self-respecting Sloane Ranger would have proudly owned circa 1982.

So, yes, the headband has definitely become a Kate Thing, but it’s a look which has also been adopted by her fellow royals - as well as plenty of us mere commoners. Just a couple of months after Kate’s first hatband outing, Miuccia Prada put the item on her catwalk and very soon high street versions as well as designer were available.

When Queen Letizia of Spain - often hailed as one of the world’s chicest royals - visited the UK in June 2019, she and Kate seemed to have swapped notes on outfits for the Order of the Garter service in Windsor with both women wearing black and white. Millinery-wise, Letizia chose a chunky black hatband, seemingly in tribute to Kate’s new look.

The headband trend took hold among other members of the British royal family, who had perhaps noticed their style leader’s penchant and how this was a little like a chance to nod to a tiara in an everyday, diamond-less way, as well as pay tribute to Anne Boleyn, mother of England’s first Queen Elizabeth.

Last Christmas, the Countess of Wessex, her daughter Lady Louise Windsor and Princess Beatrice all arrived at St Mark’s church on the Sandringham Estate sporting headbands; Sophie’s was a rich burgundy velvet, Louise’s was a pretty plaited style and Beatrice’s was an oversized swirl pattern in bottle green.

New headband news just in: it’s not over yet. Evidence came in the form of Thursday’s celebrations in Monaco to mark the principality’s National Day. The Monégasque royals are also notably fashion-forward so the fact that three of their number chose headbands to top off their designer looks has reignited the hair accessory trend just in time for the festive season.

Princess Caroline of Hanover, sister of Prince Albert, showed that this is a look to be embraced by all ages, teaming her elegant Chanel skirt suit with a black plaited headband and pearl earrings. The swept-back effect given by the band gently enhanced and celebrated her greying hair - so if you’ve ever been concerned about trying the trend for fear of highlighting your silver streaks, may the daughter of Grace Kelly be your inspiration.

It was perhaps a coordinated family decision to back the headband as Princess Caroline’s two daughters-in-law also wore them. Tatiana Santo Domingo, wife of Andrea Casiraghi, Caroline’s son, accessorised her tweed Prada coat and pencil skirt with an elaborate £225 velvet bow-band by Jennifer Behr, a New York designer famed for her luxe hair accessories.

Beatrice Borromeo, wife of Pierre Casiraghi, was the third Monaco royal to do a Kate, pairing her neat Dior tailoring with a burgundy hairband.

The headband trend crystallises how closely aligned fashion and regal dressing have now become. Classic elegance reads as elevated rather than dowdy - royals from Tatiana and Beatrice to Kate are dream clients for big brands. The look effortlessly marries the historic grandeur of a Holbein portrait with the polished-with-a-twist aesthetic which makes royals look at once appropriate and modern today.  And for the non-royals among us? Well, it’s an elevated solution to bad hair days, or a way to look video-meeting-fancy in a jiffy.

5 of the best headbands to buy now

Velvet knot, £50, Born in the Sun

Crystal plait, £8.40, Accessorize

Star design, £217, Gucci at Liberty

Green knotted, £150, Jennifer Behr at Net-a-Porter

Pink lobster, £205, Jane Taylor

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