Queen Elizabeth II is known for many things, not least her signature hairstyle. Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen has maintained her voluminous, curled locks and colorful hats. But why has she kept the same hairstyle for so many decades when styles and trends have changed so much around her? There are several interesting reasons behind the Queen’s consistency.
Her Majesty’s Signature Look
The Queen’s hairstyle has become an iconic part of her image. Her voluminous, curled hair is perfectly coiffed and often accessorized with glittering tiaras and jeweled clips. She favors bright colors like neon pink and blue that stand out in a crowd. Her elaborate hats, which match her brightly hued outfits, are balanced atop her curled locks. This polished, formal style creates an air of nobility and tradition befitting her role. The uniformity of her look makes the Queen easily recognizable around the world. Changing it dramatically would alter the public image she has cultivated over seven decades on the throne.
A Symbol of Continuity and Stability
In a constantly changing world, the Queen represents consistency and staying power. While prime ministers and governments come and go, Queen Elizabeth has remained a stable figurehead. Her unchanged hairstyle reinforces this constancy in the face of an ever-evolving society. This steadfast presence is reassuring to the British public and reflects the continuity of the monarchy. The Queen has lived through over a dozen prime ministers, numerous recessions, the dissolution of the British Empire, and the advent of modern technology. But her hair has stayed the same. Her hairstyle is a symbol of stability in periods of upheaval.
Connection to Her Reign
Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952 as a young woman. Her voluminous, curled hairstyle was the fashionable look of the 1950s. Keeping the same hairstyle throughout her reign connects her to the early days of her monarchy. It serves as a visual reminder of how long she has served as Queen of England. Changing her iconic hairstyle would sever this link to the genesis of her rule. Her unchanged locks are a testament to her lifelong duty and service.
Professional Help
The Queen does not style her own hair each morning. She has had a personal hairdresser appointed by the royal household for decades. Her current hairdresser is Angela Kelly, who has held the position since 1994. Kelly helps maintain the continuity of the Queen’s hairstyle. She curls and sets the Queen’s hair into its signature shape at least three times a week. The Queen also wears hairpieces when needed. Having a consistent, professional hairdresser preserves her iconic look.
Practical Reasons
In addition to symbolic reasons, there are some practical factors that contribute to the Queen retaining her classic hairstyle. These everyday considerations help explain her lack of change over the years.
Suits Her Face Shape
The Queen has a square face shape. The height on top created by her curled locks flatters her facial proportions. Shorter, straighter styles would not be as flattering for her bone structure. Her hairstylist ensures the curls frame and soften the Queen’s square jawline. The length on top also balances her shorter hair underneath. Her signature style likely persists because it suits her face.
Matches Her Hats
An important accessory for the Queen is her array of ornate hats. She is rarely seen in public without one. Her voluminous hair provides the perfect base to securely pin her hats in place. Flat, short hair would not work as well under her collection of headwear. The tall swirls of curls give the hats height and something to grip onto. Changing her hairstyle could mean having to choose different hat styles.
Low Maintenance
The Queen’s tight curls last for days, even with her active schedule. The hairspray and curling techniques keep each wave locked in place without needing daily styling. Shorter styles often require more frequent haircuts and daily fixing to maintain their shape. The Queen’s busy role demands an unfussy, easy-to-manage hairstyle. Her curled locks meet these needs for simplicity and longevity between hairdresser visits.
Thick Hair
Those who have met the Queen often remark on her very thick hair. While thinning hair becomes a concern for many women as they age, the Queen’s locks remain full-bodied. Her bountiful tresses give her hairdresser plenty of hair to work with into her elaborate styles. Thinning hair would not provide the volume needed for her iconic bouffant look.
Historical Context
Looking at the history of British monarch’s hairstyles gives context to why Queen Elizabeth has not strayed from her signature look.
Past Queens’ Hairstyles
British queens typically maintain the same hairstyle throughout their reign that is indicative of the fashion of their time. Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901, was known for her off-the-face updo with braids and adornments. The style reflected the look of the Victorian era. Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother Queen Mary, who lived from 1867 to 1953, had an Edwardian-inspired voluminous puff and frizzy fringe. The Queen emulated her own era’s 1950s glamour with her curled tresses and tiaras. Like those before her, she has not strayed far from the look that she adopted as a young queen.
Contrast with Princess Diana
The Queen’s daughter-in-law, Diana Spencer, took a distinctly different approach to her hair during her time in the public eye. As Princess of Wales, Diana frequently changed her hairstyle dramatically. She trended away from rigid, formal looks towards more relaxed, modern styles. Her looks ranged from voluminous 1980s curls to sleek 1990s pixie cuts. This reflected Diana’s overall approach of modernizing and humanizing the monarchy. The Queen did not follow Diana’s lead and maintained her look. This served as a point of contrast between their approaches to royal roles.
| Decade | The Queen’s Hairstyle | Princess Diana’s Hairstyle |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | Voluminous curled locks | Big, bouncy curls |
| 1990s | Voluminous curled locks | Sleeker, shorter cuts |
When She Has Changed Her Look
While her hairstyle has remained very consistent, Queen Elizabeth has subtly evolved certain aspects of her look over time. These gradual changes have helped modernize her style slightly while retaining her signature aesthetic.
Color
Though she has never dyed her hair a dramatically different shade, the Queen’s hair color has lightened naturally from a darker brunette to her current gray. She transitioned gracefully into her gray locks starting in her 50s. Her bright hair colors like pinks and blues are created using removable colored filters. Beneath the colors, her hair remains an elegant silvery white.
Height
The Queen’s hairstyles were at their tallest and most voluminous in the early years of her reign. Over time, the beehive-like height has lowered slightly on top to a still curled but more muted bouffant. However, a sizable amount of lift and volume remains to uphold her regal image.
Texture
While still quite curled under, the Queen’s hairstyle has relaxed a touch into softer waves and curls rather than the tight ringlets of her youth. This creates a somewhat more informal effect while maintaining the overall shape.
Fringe
The Queen has incorporated more face-framing layers and fringe pieces to her style. While sideswept bangs first appeared in the 1970s, she now often sports a fuller fringe that softens her look. Her forehead is less prominently on display with a layered front section.
Conclusion
Queen Elizabeth II’s unchanged hairstyle over the past seven decades remains one of her most recognizable trademarks. The reasons behind her signature look are rooted in creating continuity, stability and tradition during her record-breaking reign. Her curled locks connect today’s Queen with the young woman who assumed the throne in the 1950s. While allowing for subtle shifts in color, texture and height, the Queen has preserved the overall voluminous shape that suits her square face and hats. Her hair saga contrasts with the varied styles of modern royal women like Diana. Queen Elizabeth’s steadfast hairstyle reflects her lifelong commitment to duty and timeless royal values.