Denise McAdam, Royal Hairdresser for 35 Years, Reveals Truth About Royal Clients
Denise McAdam, the former royal hairdresser to several generations of the British Royal family, has plenty of stories she could share about life inside the palace. Instead, though, she is speaking about a different royal phenomenon: the hair and her opinions of various royal styles.
"I think her hair is wonderful, maybe a little overdone at times," McAdam told the Radio Times of the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton. "But she always looks lovely."
McAdam has worked for the royals for nearly 35 years before retiring from the gig and moving on to a competitive reality TV show called "Hair." But the stylist says she has "heard some very good stories from my clients over the years. I could write a brilliant book."
However, McAdam is fiercely loyal to her high-profile clients and respects their wishes and privacy.
"There are things that William and Harry have told me. But you have to be discreet," she cautioned. "That's why the Queen awarded me the Royal Victorian Medal – it was for 35 years of keeping my mouth shut. When I got the award, I had a handwritten letter from every member of the royal family. Even the Queen said, 'Oh, that's a very long time you've been working for us.' It was a great honor."
McAdam's biggest moment came when she styled the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson's, hair for her wedding to the Duke of York, Prince Andrew. She told the Radio Times that she and Ferguson remain friends even though Ferguson always wanted to put "bloody flags in her hair."
"In the early days, I knew the Palace better than [Ferguson], so I used to show her the important places like the carpenter's, where you go to have your wardrobes built," McAdam explained.
Who was the "worst" client? That would be Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.
"Princess Anne was the scary one, particularly when I was young," McAdam said. "It was a simple up-do, so I just used to go in, close my eyes, and do it as quickly as possible."
