Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate Agree This Trendy Hair Accessory Is a Christmas Must-Have

Charlotte's carol concert hairstyle took inspiration from her mom.

Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate at the Together at Christmas concert
(Image credit: Getty Images)

One accessory Princess Kate can't resist is a good bow, and the women of London Fashion Week certainly co-signed on the '80s-inspired trend this fall. Whether it's in her hair, accenting her coat or perched on a formal hat, the Princess of Wales is often spotted in ribbon-trimmed outfits, especially during the holiday season.

This year, Kate ditched her on-trend bows at the Together at Christmas concert on December 5, choosing to give her Catherine Walker coat a luxe touch with an old faux fur collar. Instead, it was Princess Charlotte who kept the beribboned energy going this December.

The 10-year-old princess often wears her hair pulled back in two braids, like she did for her 2025 appearances at VE Day, Trooping the Colour and the Wimbledon championships. But last Christmas, she wore her hair pulled half up with a green velvet bow, and she chose the same hairstyle for the Together at Christmas event last Friday.

Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte standing outside Westminster Abbey at the Together at Christmas concert

Princess Charlotte pulled her hair half back with a large black blow at the Together at Christmas concert.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Charlotte wearing a navy dress walking with Prince George

Princess Charlotte wore a navy outfit to the carol concert.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Charlotte channeled her late grandmother Princess Diana in a cropped navy jacket with a white pilgrim collar and a matching navy dress, wearing her hair tied neatly back with a black bow.

While it doesn't appear to be the same hair accessory mom Kate wore for a VE Day concert in May, Charlotte's bow is a similar design as the one her mother wore with the same half-back hairstyle.

The back of Kate Middleton's head with her hair half back in a black bow

Princess Kate wore her hair in the same style at a May VE Day concert.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Charlotte wearing a sailor dress smiling at Princess Kate, Prince William and Prince Louis at Trooping the Colour 2024

Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate both wore bow-trimmed outfits at Trooping the Colour 2024.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kate also wore a bow during Donald Trump's state visit to the U.K. in September, removing the fascinator she wore earlier in the day and adding a burgundy velvet bow by high street retailer Jigsaw to her hairstyle.

Kate and Charlotte aren't the only members of the Royal Family who adore hair bows. They were an '80s favorite of Sarah Ferguson, who wore the fanciful accessories on repeat during her marriage to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. And Princess Beatrice has also got in on the bow action, accenting her ponytail with a black barrette in 2023.

As well as being a beloved royal hair accessory, bows have been seen all over the runways lately. With velvet barrettes being especially on-trend, the holiday season is the perfect time to try one out—and as Princess Kate has proven, you don't need to spend designer money to get the look.

Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.