Once associated with school uniforms, (or Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf!) the humble headband is now one of the hottest hair trends around. After a designer revamp from Prada and Dolce & Gabbana, Alice bands are now one of the most glam - and easiest - accessories to rock. You don't even need to style your hair - winning! The Duchess of Cambridge has long championed headbands, but plenty more royal ladies count them as some of their favourite accessories, too. We've rounded up all the royals rocking the ultra-glam headgear, and you may be surprised at how many wore them before they were officially cool…
The Duchess of Cambridge
During her recent royal visit to Ireland, Kate stepped out wearing another new hair accessory - a velvet band from one of her favourite designers Jane Taylor. We think it looked perfect with her gorgeous green Alessandra Rich dress!
And remember when Kate caused a huge sellout with this sparkly Zara headband? She chose it for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in November 2019.
Princess Beatrice
Like her fashionable family members, Princess Beatrice also loves headbands, particularly for formal occasions. She attended one of the Queen's Buckingham Palace garden parties in May 2019 wearing this beautiful burgundy design.
Beatrice chose a gorgeous green version for the Christmas Day church service later that year, attending with fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew wore her most directional outfit yet as she lit up the red carpet at the MET Gala. She topped off her deep purple Alberta Ferretti dress with a selection of bedazzled headbands which gave the illusion of a crown.
The Countess of Wessex
It was clearly a festive royal trend to wear headbands on Christmas Day, since Countess Sophie and her daughter Lady Louise also joined in! How lovely is that? Sophie's choice is another Jane Taylor number, which featured a netted overlay.
Princess Diana
You can hardly be surprised that fashion icon Diana, Princess Of Wales sported the headband in the most glamorous way ever, right? In 1986, whilst at a dinner hosted By Emperor Hirohito in Japan, the royal teamed her blue Yuki evening dress with a dazzling sapphire and diamond version. So eye-catching and glittery - it was a total gem.
Princess Eugenie
Eugenie looked lovely wearing a leather hairband on Christmas Day 2018.
Lady Kitty Spencer
Princess Diana's gorgeous niece Kitty has been a long-time model for Dolce & Gabbana and is the perfect advert for the brand's stunning floral headbands. In 2017 the 28-year-old sashayed down the catwalk and looked blooming gorgeous with her red rose crown.
The Duchess of Cambridge
At the Christening of little Prince Louis in July, Kate turned again to her favourite headband designer Jane Taylor to create a total cream dream. Wearing her hair in a chignon, her 'Cassandra' ivory headband featured a thick platform and striking appliqué flowers stitched on the top.
At the Christening of her nephew Archie Harrison, she looked incredible in official photographs, wearing a lovely pink dress by Stella McCartney. But it was Kate's headband that hit headlines; her famous locks were held in place by a velvet plaited red headband which totally matched her red Gianvito Rossi shoes.
The Duchess of York
In 1998, the Duchess Of York kept it classic as she arrived at the annual Christmas lunch held for members of the Motor Neurone Disease Association in Surrey, teaming her tweed coat with a simple black beaded headband, which looked fabulous with her vibrant red hair.
The Duchess of Cambridge
Prince William's wife was spotted at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford with Prince George in 2016, and wore a blue pencil dress, a navy jacket and added a leopard print Alice band which kept her lucious mane of hair away from her face as she smiled at waiting photographers.
Kate took Sunday best to a new level as attended church in Sandringham in 2019. A vision in blue - she showcased a striking cobalt coat by Catherine Walker, navy Jimmy Choo high heels and a matching bow headband in the same hue by Jane Taylor. It was the first time she had ever worn a hairband in this way!
Princess Diana
In the late 80s, Diana teamed her monochrome Bruce Oldfield suit with a matching black headband as she arrived at the 1986 Expo in Vancouver, Canada. It sat perfectly on her coiffed mane and she added chic pearl earrings into the mix.
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The Duchess of Cambridge
Mother-of-three Kate brought all the festive vibes on Christmas Day in 2018 matching her stunning burgundy velvet headband with a double-breasted coat, red Bayswater clutch by Mulberry and her trusty pair of burgundy Gianvito Rossi heels. The £830 number had a large bow at the back and we would do anything to get our hands on it…
Princess Letizia of Spain
Letizia wore a pretty embellished, star headband at Zarzuela Palace in 2014 and no, it wasn't by a high end designer, but children's store Nanos!
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
Showing they were WAY ahead of their time, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie looked beyond adorable at a thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral for the 100th Birthday of the Queen Mother in 2000. The little princesses colour coordinated their shoes, dresses and bags and we can't get over their bow-trimmed headbands.
Princess Beatrice
Being Maid of Honour at little sister Princess Eugenie's wedding was a huge moment for Princess Beatrice - and all eyes were on her outfit. Her custom-made Ralph & Russo inky purple frock came with a matching headband that ensured the royal stood out.