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    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    Meghan Markle's hair: the most memorable moments, from Suits to Sussex Royal

    Every iconic Meghan Markle hair moment you need to know about

    Kate McCusker's avatar
    By Kate McCusker
    Published 11 February 2021 In Features

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    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the University of Chichester's Engineering and Technology Park on October 3, 2018 in Bognor Regis, England
    (Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images)
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    Every iconic Meghan Markle hair moment you need to know about

    Since she landed on our screens a decade ago, Meghan Markle has given us some of the best celebrity hair and beauty looks of recent times. (The flawless skin, nude lip and tousled waves combo – need we say more?) So much so, that it's lead us to ask the question: does Meghan Markle have the best hair in the royal family?

    Sure, she's got some stiff competition in the form of Princess Diana's iconic crop, and Kate Middleton's signature blow dry (which Prince William reportedly gave her a hand with on their wedding day). But Meghan's laid-back take on royal beauty is entirely her own.

    Since Meghan and Harry went public with their relationship at the Invictus Games in Toronto back in 2017, Meghan's been upending the royal tradition of bouncy blowdries and neat as a pin updos. (Though she's served some incredible looks on that front, too.)

    Instead, the former Suits actress has opted for low tousled buns with face-framing wisps of hair, sleek, pared-back ponytails and loose, tousled waves.

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    And don't even get us started on that iconic back-combed messy bun, styled by French celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant, that she wore with her second wedding dress.

    A photo posted by on

    Yep, for every expert fashion choice Meghan makes, there's an infallibly chic hair one to go with it. Because though she might be more royal than red carpet these days, there's an unmistakable Hollywood glamour to every hairstyle Meghan wears.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

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    When styling her hair for events, Meghan frequently partners up with George Northwood, a signatory of the 'undone' look – who's also responsible for Claudia Winkleman's fringe and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's 'lob'.

    So in homage to Meghan's most memorable looks (and because we miss her here in the UK), we've rounded up the best Meghan Markle hair moments – from pre-Suits days to Sussex Royal-era. Because nobody does beauty quite like her.

    Keep scrolling for the best Meghan Markle hair looks from the mid noughties to now...

    What to read next
    • The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos  Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full
    • Does your ponytail give you a headache? If Your Ponytail Gives You a Headache—Your Hair Is Trying to Tell You Something
    • brunette woman with bouncy blow dry The 11 Best Hair Dryers of 2026 for Every Hair Type—Tried and Tested by Our Beauty Team

    2006

    2006

    Attending the COACH Legacy Photo Exhibit in East Hampton, NY.
    (Image credit: Patrick McMullan / Contributor via Getty Images)

    Attending the COACH Legacy Photo Exhibit in East Hampton, NY.

    2009

    2009

    Attending a pre-Emmy party in Beverly Hills, Meghan's hair used to be a lot lighter than we are used to seeing these days.
    (Image credit: Amanda Edwards / Stringer via Getty Images)

    Attending a pre-Emmy party in Beverly Hills, Meghan's hair used to be a lot lighter than we are used to seeing these days.

    2010

    2010

    Attending a press event at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.
    (Image credit: Charley Gallay / Stringer via Getty Images)

    Attending a press event at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.

    2011

    2011

    Attending the launch of The Alexa Chung For Madewell Fall 2011 Collection in Los Angeles, California.
    (Image credit: Charley Gallay / Stringer via Getty Images)

    Attending the launch of The Alexa Chung For Madewell Fall 2011 Collection in Los Angeles, California.

    2012

    2012

    At a premiere in West Hollywood, California.
    (Image credit: Paul Archuleta / Contributor via Getty Images)

    At a premiere in West Hollywood, California.

    2012

    2012

    Attending the 'A Suits Story' Fashion Show in New York.
    (Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

    Attending the 'A Suits Story' Fashion Show in New York.

    2012

    2012

    At the GQ Men of the Year Party in Hollywood, California.
    (Image credit: Jon Kopaloff / Contributor via Getty Images)

    At the GQ Men of the Year Party in Hollywood, California.

    2013

    2013

    A chic bun worn for the Golden Globes After Party in Los Angeles, California.
    (Image credit: Amanda Edwards / Contributor via Getty Images)

    A chic bun worn for the Golden Globes After Party in Los Angeles, California.

    2013

    2013

    On the red carpet of the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto.
    (Image credit: Jag Gundu / Stringer via Getty Images)

    On the red carpet of the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto.

    2013

    2013

    Another chic updo worn at a Gala Tribute To Cate Blanchett during the 51st New York Film Festival
    (Image credit: D Dipasupil / Contributor via Getty Images)

    Another chic updo worn at a Gala Tribute To Cate Blanchett during the 51st New York Film Festival

    2014

    2014

    At a press event for Suits in Pasadena, California.
    (Image credit: Frederick M. Brown / Stringer via Getty Images)

    At a press event for Suits in Pasadena, California.

    2015

    2015

    Attending a press event at the Four Seasons hotel in New York.
    (Image credit: Mireya Acierto / Contributor via Getty Images)

    Attending a press event at the Four Seasons hotel in New York.

    2016

    2016

    At the season 5 premiere of Suits in LA
    (Image credit: Michael Tran / Contributor via Getty Images)

    At the season 5 premiere of Suits in LA

    2017

    2017

    At the Invictus Games in Toronto (the first event she attended with Prince Harry).
    (Image credit: Samir Hussein / Contributor via Getty Images)

    At the Invictus Games in Toronto (the first event she attended with Prince Harry).

    2018

    2018

    Announcing her engagement to Prince Harry at Kensington Palace.
    (Image credit: Mark Cuthbert / Contributor via Getty Images)

    Announcing her engagement to Prince Harry at Kensington Palace.

    2018

    2018

    The first of the two updos she wore to wed Prince Harry at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in May 2018.
    (Image credit: Pool/Samir Hussein / Contributor via Getty Images)

    The first of the two updos she wore to wed Prince Harry at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in May 2018.

    2018

    2018

    The second updo she wore to her wedding reception at Windsor Castle.
    (Image credit: WPA Pool / Pool via Getty Images)

    The second updo she wore to her wedding reception at Windsor Castle.

    2019

    2019

    Attending the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem at the Royal Albert Hall in London with Prince Harry.
    (Image credit: WPA Pool / Pool via Getty Images)

    Attending the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem at the Royal Albert Hall in London with Prince Harry.

    2019

    2019

    Attending an engagement with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) at City, University Of London
    (Image credit: Mark Cuthbert / Contributor via Getty Images)

    Attending an engagement with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) at City, University Of London

    2019

    2019

    With a newborn Archie during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle
    (Image credit: WPA Pool / Pool via Getty Images)

    With a newborn Archie during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle

    2020

    2020

    Attending the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London with Prince Harry
    (Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

    Attending the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London with Prince Harry

    2020

    2020

    Attending the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall in London
    (Image credit: WPA Pool / Pool via Getty Images)

    Attending the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall in London

    2020

    2020

    Attending the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey
    (Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

    Attending the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey

    Kate McCusker
    Kate McCusker
    Social Links Navigation

    Kate McCusker is a freelance writer at Marie Claire UK, having joined the team in 2019. She studied fashion journalism at Central Saint Martins, and her byline has also appeared in Dezeen, British Vogue, The Times and woman&home. In no particular order, her big loves are: design, good fiction, bad reality shows and the risible interiors of celebrity houses.


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