Pony up!
After battling wind during her arrival in New Zealand and baby Prince George‘s death-grip during a playgroup, Kate Middleton gave her hair a rest with a rare ponytail on Thursday, April 10.
During the wreath-laying ceremony in Blenheim, New Zealand, the Duchess of Cambridge swept her long brown locks into a chic pony at the crown of her head. For an extra dose of polish for the somber event, Middleton had volume at the front of her hairline and wrapped the elastic with a strand of hair.
The look is a welcome change for her normally blown-out waves, although she returned to her signature style later that night for a portrait unveiling of Queen Elizabeth II. The ponytail is also a step-up from the messier version she wore to the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in December.
While Middleton has been known to style her hair herself for events, royal hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker is traveling with the royals during the tour. Tucker was one of the first to visit Middleton in the hospital after George was born and styled the new mom for the family’s first official portrait.
During the wreath-laying ceremony, Middleton wore a custom Alexander McQueen coat with a commemorative poppy pin paired with navy heels. Both she and Prince William looked touched during the ceremony, and after, Middleton accepted numerous gifts for George, 8 months.
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