As Cressida Bonas employs Meghan’s hairdresser for ‘fringe-tastic’ do – the stylists behind the most iconic royal looks, from Kate’s wedding ‘demi-chignon’ to Princess Anne’s ‘beehive’

The Royal Family is expected to maintain perfect poise on every occasion.

Their role involves numerous rules and traditions, including strict adherence to etiquette and styling choices. 

So it’s no wonder that royal women have tended to rely upon a select group of trusted hairdressers, often establishing a close working relationship.

Jo Hansford confirmed to MailOnline that she has been looking after Her Majesty’s hair colour for 40 years and has ‘a wonderful relationship’ with Camilla. 

Meanwhile, Denise McAdam, who notably styled Sarah, Duchess of York’s hair for her wedding to Prince Andrew in 1986, said the experience was ‘a real honour’.

Earlier this month, Meghan Markle’s hair stylist, George Northwood, was employed by Prince Harry‘s ex-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas.

Sought-after Northwood, who is responsible for creating Meghan’s signature chignon, gave Cressida a glamorous makeover, complete with a new fringe.  

A few talented stylists have created some of the most iconic royal hairstyles in history. We explore their work here. 

Jo Hansford

Jo Hansford’s client roster has included numerous A-list celebrities, such as Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow. 

However, she is particularly renowned for her extensive collaboration with Queen Camilla.

Hansford confirmed to MailOnline that she has been looking after Her Majesty’s hair colour for 40 years and has ‘a wonderful relationship’ with Camilla. 

She is behind the royal’s trademark blonde locks, having suggested a change from golden brown several years ago. 

The bright blue shade of Camilla’s eyes inspired the dramatic makeover.

George Northwood

George Northwood is best-known for creating the ‘messy bun’ that Meghan wore for her wedding reception in 2018.

Two years later, the stylist toured Australia, New Zealand and Tonga with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

During this time, Northwood said he became ‘very close’ to Meghan, who also flew him out to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games in 2022.  

The stylist created at least five different hairdos for Meghan over the course of the three-day event.

In 2022, he visited the Sussexes in the UK during Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

‘So nostalgic and wonderful to be reunited [with] Harry, Meghan and their family in the UK,’ he posted on Instagram at the time. 

‘Archie has grown to be the cutest, well-mannered little boy and Lilibet is just beautiful.’

Earlier this month, Cressida Bonas posted a photo of the new style given to her by Northwood. She called it ‘fringe-tastic!’.   

Ian Carmichael 

Ian Carmichael tended to Queen Elizabeth’s immaculate locks for more than 20 years. 

In 2012, the hairdresser was awarded a Royal Warrant and, in 2017, he was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order, a honour which recognised his personal service to the Queen.

Carmichael accompanied Her Majesty on foreign visits to ensure she looked her best when meeting various leaders and dignitaries across the globe. 

He previously said: ‘Of all my clients, the Queen is by far my favourite, she has wonderful hair.’

However, the hair stylist remained discreet about the monarch and declined to gossip about her or reveal the topics they would discuss.

‘I have done her hair for a very long time and I remain loyal to her,’ he said in 2013.

Carmichael used to visit Queen Elizabeth twice per week.

The late monarch had her hair washed via a stand-up attachment to a sink and never experienced a blow dry, according to reports.

Amanda Cook Tucker

Thirteen brushes, six combs, three hair tongs, two hairdryers and seven hair products.

Those are the tools of the trade Amanda Cook Tucker packed for a four-day trip with Kate Middleton in 2018.

‘Think that’s everything! #worktrip #packing,’ she captioned the post on social media, showcasing a selection of tools laid out on a wooden table.

Naturally, it instantly went viral, resulting in Tucker deleting her Instagram account.

The products that were revealed included Kiehl’s Crème with Silk Groom, Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Body Booster Mousse and L’Oreal Elnett Supreme Hold Hairspray.

While the Princess of Wales entrusts Richard Ward to trim her locks, Cook Tucker has served as the royal’s travelling stylist since 2012, when she accompanied Kate and William to South East Asia on a Diamond Jubilee tour.

She is said to charge a daily rate of £300. 

In the years since, she has styled Kate’s locks for a number of significant events, including appearances on the steps of the Lindo Wing, following the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Richard Ward

Richard Ward is renowned for creating one of the most iconic hairstyles in history. 

The London-based stylist has been instrumental in shaping Kate Middleton’s hair for more than two decades, most notably her demi-chignon style for her wedding to Prince William in 2011.

At the time, he revealed her one rule was that ‘her husband must recognise her’ when she reached the altar.

Ward, whose salon is in Chelsea, also counts Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, and sister, Pippa, as clients.

In the lead up to the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was seen leaving the Richard Ward salon in London.

She appeared to have had a colour refresh. 

Joey Wheeler

After receiving advice from his wife’s hairdresser, Prince William caused a sensation by appearing in 2018 with a number one buzzcut. 

Ward’s protégé, Joey Wheeler, created the infamous style, reportedly costing £180, during a visit to Kensington Palace. 

Having worked under Ward for 17 years, he is said to have used his ‘scissor over comb’ freehand technique on the royal. 

Denise McAdam

In 2010, Denise McAdam received the Royal Victorian Medal, along with a handwritten note of thanks from every member of the Royal Family. 

The hairdresser tended to Princess Anne’s famous beehive – but was told not to look her in the eye during the process. 

Of the bouffant worn by Princess Anne for the past five decades, she told Radio Times: ‘I just used to go in, close my eyes and do it as quickly as possible.’

McAdam also revealed that she had heard many intriguing stories from her royal clients over the years. 

‘There are things that William and Harry have told me. But you have to be discreet. 

‘That’s why the Queen awarded me the Royal Victorian Medal – it was for 35 years of keeping my mouth shut,’ she said.

McAdam notably styled Sarah, Duchess of York’s hair for her wedding to Prince Andrew in 1986.

‘It was a real honour, especially at the time when I had created the hair for almost every cover of Brides magazine with the fabulous Lucy Dickons,’ she told MailOnline.

Richard Dalton

At the height of her fame, Princess Diana was the most recognised woman in the world. 

And Richard Dalton was the hairdresser she sought for cutting and styling her hair during this time.

‘I was with her every day for 12 years,’ Dalton told Town & Country.

He continued: ‘I met Diana when she was 17. I worked at Fenwick of Bond Street’s in-store salon, and cut her sisters’ hair.’

The Princess once requested a shorter cut for a trip to Africa, but was concerned about the impact a dramatic change might have. 

Dalton, therefore, decided to trim one-fourth of an inch during each appointment over a period of several weeks.

‘Whatever I did to her hair became front page news,’ he recalled.

‘We had to be very careful. We had to do it one-fourth of an inch at a time over several weeks.’