Princess Catherine's commitment to growing out her mane paid off in 2022; her rich brown hair was even longer than it was back in 2013. The royal's shiny strands reached the bottom of her bust, and she began parting her hair down the center of her head much more frequently than usual, which emphasized her length even further. While Catherine's hair M.O. up to this point had seemingly been to create an image of the idyllic princess, her sleek hairstyles in 2022 felt like a strategic move to help position the royal family as relatable and in touch with the modern era. 

The Princess of Wales, known for her curly, voluminous hairstyles, began wearing her hair blown out very nearly straight with minimal volume — a look that was aided not just by styling tools, but also by the fact that her layers were so very long. In March, she donned the sleek style several times, first during a visit to a Ukrainian cultural center, then on numerous days during a tour of the Caribbean with Prince William.

While Catherine continued to favor straight locks throughout 2022, including at London's "Top Gun: Maverick" premiere, she also wore her signature curly blowout many times. Additionally, the princess played around with half and full updos more than usual, incorporating various hair accessories such as her stunning boucle hairband at an Anzac Day service and her elegant purple pillbox hat for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's UK visit.