Kate Middleton joins Sophie’s 2026 Order of the Garter look
kate middleton stepped out with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in Windsor for the 2026 Order of the Garter service. Sophie, 61, wore a soft deconstructed updo that drew attention for its looseness and movement, with the hair swept back from the crown and twisted into a braid-like shape before falling into curled tendrils at the nape.
Carol Ritchie called the look “a gorgeous look for Sophie,” and said, “A deconstructed updo is all about the movement.” She added that the style is “looser and more modern” than a traditional updo, which she described as sometimes “very structured and sprayed to an inch of its life.”
Windsor service appearance
Sophie and the Princess of Wales attended the service together in Windsor, making the appearance the most visible public moment in the story. The styling choice became part of that moment because it offered a polished but softer alternative to the tighter royal updos Sophie has worn in recent years, including sleek French comb buns and twisted braids.
Ritchie said the approach suits mature hair because “As we get older, our hair may become finer and lose some of its natural density.” She said, “A style like this works brilliantly because it creates softness and volume without looking forced,” and added that “Tight hairstyles can sometimes draw attention to areas where hair is finer around the hairline, whereas a soft updo like this adds width, and is much more flattering.”
Carol Ritchie on volume
The practical advice is straightforward enough for readers who want the same effect without overworking the style. Ritchie said, “The biggest mistake people make is trying to make everything too neat,” and advised: “You need to add texture into the hair first.”
Her method starts before the pins go in. “Start by creating texture through your blow-dry,” she said. “Use a texture spray, such as the the OSMO Matt Salt Spray, to help bring in that added movement, then dry with a big round brush to get volume.”
Recreating Sophie’s updo
Ritchie’s step-by-step instructions show why the style can look more complicated than it is. “To recreate Sophie’s updo, loosely start to twist the hair from the mid-section and pin, then take a new section from either side to twist in again,” she said. “Keep pinning the twists in place as you go along your hair,” while Sophie’s own version leaves the ends falling naturally for a softer finish.
For readers taking a cue from Windsor rather than copying a full royal look, the takeaway is the shape rather than the rigidity: movement at the crown, width through the sides, and ends that do not look overworked. That keeps the style in the same lane as the service itself — formal, but not sealed off from the person wearing it.
