Princess Catherine didn’t do her own wedding makeup—here’s who did

For more than a decade, fans believed Princess Catherine had mastered the ultimate DIY bride moment for her 2011 wedding.

The story of her doing her own makeup became legendary.

But the truth, revealed this week, turns that narrative completely upside down.

Bobbi Brown, the founder of one of the world's most famous makeup brands, appeared on the Breaking Beauty podcast to promote her new memoir, Still Bobbi, and dropped a revelation that stunned royal watchers.

When podcast hosts mentioned the media reports claiming Princess Catherine had applied her own makeup, Brown was emphatic: 'No, Hannah did her makeup.'

For 14 years, the public believed Princess Catherine had completed the ultimate 'royal girl-next-door' flex, with outlets from Vogue to CBS News reporting that she had taken lessons and insisted on doing her own makeup for the big day.

In reality, it was Hannah Martin, now a highly sought-after makeup artist in the UK, who created Princess Catherine’s iconic wedding look using Bobbi Brown products.

Princess Catherine reportedly took private makeup lessons before the wedding, but Brown confirmed that Hannah was the artist responsible for her flawless appearance on the morning of the ceremony.

The behind-the-scenes story was even more exciting than the myth. Brown recalled that Martin sent her texts hinting that Princess Catherine would be wearing Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.

Picture Brown, one of the beauty world’s most influential figures, sitting up at 6:00 am, texting frantically as millions watched the royal wedding unfold.

Brown explained why the company stayed silent about the truth.

She added that she has a note in her office from someone who wrote letters on behalf of the royal, expressing appreciation for the makeup.

The thank-you note was not handwritten by Princess Catherine herself but passed through her office staff, highlighting the formal protocols of royal communications.

The DIY bride myth had helped shape Princess Catherine’s public image as relatable, capable, and refreshingly normal for a future queen.

The reality, however, was far more elaborate. Princess Catherine spent two hours prepping her hair the night before, followed by another two hours of styling on the wedding day.

Her hair team, James Pryce and Richard Ward, created cascading curls with a half-updo, complementing the polished makeup by Hannah Martin.

The look that Martin created became instantly iconic, featuring heavy black eyeliner, rosy cheeks, and a natural pink lip.

While the royal family typically does not endorse beauty products, Princess Catherine had long been vocal about her love of Bobbi Brown products.

Brown recalled one shade in particular that Princess Catherine favoured: 'I know that Kate was constantly coming into a Bobbi counter and buying some of her favourite things—I think 'sandwash pink' was one of them, I don't think it's made anymore but I remember the colour.'

This revelation underscores that royal narratives can persist for years despite being inaccurate.

It also shows the importance of professional teams for major royal events and highlights how the beauty industry’s relationship with celebrity endorsements has evolved.

Princess Catherine’s wedding day look has remained influential, even as her personal style evolved to softer eyeliner and more eyeshadow, while keeping her signature rosy cheeks and natural pink lips.

Ultimately, the debunked myth does not diminish the beauty of her wedding day—it reveals the human effort and collaboration behind seemingly effortless perfection.

If Princess Catherine’s wedding look inspires you, it’s natural to wonder how to achieve similar results on a budget.

You don’t need a royal makeup artist to create stunning everyday looks that feel luxurious.

Here’s a story showing how one social media star found affordable dupes for high-end makeup products that deliver impressive results.

Read more: 'I got 23 items!': Social media star discovers Kmart OXX range dupes for luxury makeup

Did you believe Princess Catherine had done her own wedding makeup, or did you always suspect professional help was involved?