Let's take a walk down memory lane and chart the hair evolution of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. To do Meghan's hairtimeline justice we have to rewind right back to her Suits days an beyond. Years before Suits aired in 2011, Meghan, in 2006, starred in the second series of the US version of Deal Or No Deal. Here, as the 'Briefcase Model' in charge of box number 24, Meghan was required to channel glitz and glam so voluminous glossy curls were the order of the day. When she got her big break on what would soon become the cult US TV series Suits, Meghan started experimenting with her hair colour. Her formerly conker brown shade she kicked off season one with looks a world away from the deep hues we're used to seeing her sport today.
As the popularity of Suits increased Meghan's character, Rachel, quickly became famed for her camera-ready blow-dries, impeccably tailored pencil skirts and penchant for Louboutin heels. In short, the public interest in Meghan Markle's hair had officially been piqued.
Then came that first public outing with new beau Prince Harry in 2017. Meghan wore a casual outfit (a white shirt, ripped jeans, tanned flat shoes and sunglasses) and styled her hair in an equally relaxed manner to match - loose, long waves. We would see Meghan sport this very same style on countless occasions afterwards, both pre-and-post royal wedding.
Once Meghan married Prince Harry, and became the Duchess of Sussex, her hairstyles seemed to become more 'done', although she retained that trademark relaxed vibe via a low messy bun that she took to wearing at royal engagements and was often the work of A-list hair stylist George Northwood. The look soon became synonymous with the Duchess and many (yes, us included) strove to copy it time and time again. That's not to say Meghan avoided other styles. We saw her sport a high bun, a low and super long ponytail, Hollywood waves - the lot. Now based in LA we're seeing a lot more volume and length come in to play too.
This year at 2023's Invictus Games, Meghan debuted a new 'undone' look. Gone was the big blow-out of last year's Invictus Games, instead Meghan effortlessly flitted between up-dos and down-dos. According to those in the know Meghan styled her own hair for the series of games, but did book in with friend and go-to colourist Kadi Lee, known on Instagram as @highbrowhippie.
Posting about her recent work with the Duchess, Lee wrote 'Classic, rich espresso brunette, for the always elegant Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.' Lee went on to explain how she achieved the colour. 'I truly have a soft spot for beautiful brunette hair colour,' she writes, 'it requires a gentle touch when highlighting or low lighting and adding dimension, and depending on the season, can range from deep and striking, to glossy and regal. For Meghan, and the change of season, I relied on heavy low-lighting throughout the lengths of her hair, followed by layers of glossing for the ultimate movement and tone-on-tone reflection. The result is healthy, long lasting, low maintenance colour with superior shine.' Lee went on to reveal that Meghan was in charge of her own hair styling that week. 'Meghan's hair was styled by herself for the duration of @invictusgames2023,' she says, '(crazy impressive I know!!).'
Keen to see more? Scroll through Meghan's hair evolution in pictures below...
Browse: Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex's, Hair Journey In Pictures
Meghan Markle Hair Gallery - Grazia 2023
1 of 22All The Curls, All The Volume
In 2006 Meghan appeared on Season 2 of the US version of Deal Or No Deal. The look was all about glitz and glamour, so Meghan obliged with a whole load of volume and a wealth of glossy curls.
2 of 22Conker Brown Hair Colour
Pictured here in 2011 Meghan is seen sporting a very different hair colour. This glossy shade of conker brown paired with her bronze toned make-up look makes the then Suits actress look glowing.
3 of 22The Ultimate Blow-Dry
Meghan's character Rachel on Suits became famed for her perfect blow-dries and Meghan is just starting to show a flavour of that style here in 2013.
4 of 22Luxe And Glossy
Pictured a year later in 2014 Meghan looks to have deepened her hair colour and embraced a sleeker style. Her trademark blow-dry is still going strong though.
5 of 22Loose, Natural-Look Waves
Remember our very first sighting of Meghan and Prince Harry together back in 2017? Meghan's look was intentially laid back and casual. Her long, loose waves chimed in perfectly.
6 of 22Soft, Fluffy Waves
The engagement announcement came later that same year in 2017 and we couldn't get enough of Meghan, her white coat and those soft, fluffy waves.
7 of 22The Messy Bun Debut
Then came the debut of the messy bun in 2018. Meghan rocks a messy bun like no one else and it has become another of her trademark styles.
8 of 22The Less Messy Bun
In April 2018 Meghan neatened up her bun for a reception at Women's Empowerment at the Royal Aeronautical Society in central London.
9 of 22The Wedding Day Hair
And then comes May 2018, the month of the royal wedding. Meghan opted for a tiara, a veil and a low glossy bun at the nape of her neck. She also had a few loose strands free that framed her face - a pretty touch that spoke of her more relaxed nature.
10 of 22The High Bun
Meghan took her bun to the crown of her head in 2019 to great effect. it was a hairstyle few had seen the Duchess sport before.
11 of 22Volume Packed Waves
At the launch of her Smart Works capsule collection in 2019 Meghan arrived with the volume packed version of her favoured loose waves style and we loved it.
12 of 22The Ultra Long Pony
In March 2020 Meghan accompanied Prince Harry to the Endeavour Fund Awards and sported an enviably long and low ponytail. It's a style we rarely see Meghan wear,
13 of 22The Volume & Length
In February 2021 Meghan and Harry sit down for a short promo film for their podcast and Meghan's hair's volume and length is off the charts! We love this LA do.
14 of 22The Interview Look
On 7th March 2021 Meghan and Harry's interview with Oprah airs in the US via CBS, a two hour long special. Meghan chose one of her go-to low bun looks for the occasion with a few strands loose at the front for a soft, pretty effect.
15 of 22The High Pony
16 of 22The Red Carpet Bun
Attending the 2021 Salute To Freedom Gala, Meghan upgraded her low-do for a scrapped back ballerina bun, which showcased her glossy skin perfectly.
17 of 22A Royal Affair
At the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral in June 2022, Meghan went back to her low bun roots with a knotted finish.
18 of 22The Undone Bun
Keeping things natural and low key, her low fun and centre-part was the ideal off-duty look for the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 - One Year To Go launch.
19 of 22Freshly Blow-Dried Waves
This is Meghan's signature wave with a LA high-gloss finish, a chic update on her usual go-to.
20 of 22The Slicked-Back Bun
Arriving at the Ripple Awards in early December 2022, Meghan gave her low bun a sophisticated appeal, parted and slicked-back to show off her shiny neckline and décolletage,
21 of 22LA Waves
Now that Harry and Meghan's Netflix six-part documentary has aired, we have a rare and unprecedented glimpse in the private lives of the former senior royals. In it, Meghan matches the tone, with relaxed, undone hair, as seen above.
22 of 22A 'Classic, Rich, Espresso Brunette'
Enter the 'undone' era. Meghan's friend and go-to hair colourist Kadi Lee revealed on Instagram that Meghan was in charge of her own hair styling at the Invictus Games in 2023. 'Meghan's hair was styled by herself for the duration of @invictusgames2023,' she says, '(crazy impressive I know!!),' she wrote in the caption. Lee also talked about the intricate blend of highlights and lowlights she used to achieve Meghan's 'classic, rich, espresso brunette.'
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