Kate Middleton is about as low-maintenance as Duchesses come. But the one "indulgence" she won't go without is fancy hair care. (And who can blame her -- have you seen that shiny mane?) When HRH Catherine embarked on her North American tour a few months back, she famously traveled with a small entourage. But in the select group of people she chose to take was her hairstylist, James Pryce.
Pryce was an employee of the posh Richard Ward salon, a place Kate, Pippa, and mom Carole have been frequenting for years (long before Pryce was there). But just recently -- quandary alert! -- Pryce left the salon, because of tensions with Ward over Kate.
Sooo ... where will the Duchess's loyalty lie?
My guess is with Pryce, as he's the person responsible for those luxurious tresses. Sure, there are the stories of Kate really enjoying her time at the Richard Ward salon, as she got to relax there, but loyalty -- if any should remain in the world of hairstyling -- should lie with the person who actually does one's hair, not the salon. Also, the alleged "tensions" are due to Ward's desire to really publicize the Middletons as clients there, where Pryce wanted to keep things more low-key. Supposedly, every time Pryce was working with Kate, Ward wanted to know what was happening every step of the way. Annoying.
Leaving a salon or a hairstylist (or worse, switching stylists within a salon) is always a little awkward. I mean, technically, it's your money and the relationship is first and foremost a business one, but nobody likes hurting people's feelings.
I've been in this situation before, and the best way to deal is to just switch salons, and, as rude as it may sound, not say anything. Trying to go to a different stylist within a salon never turns out well. I once thought I was slick by making an appointment with a new stylist when my old stylist had off, and old stylist came in to pick up his paycheck. Awkward. And totally not worth it. My new haircut was meh.
Bottom line is it's your hair. And your money. If you're not happy with it, go somewhere else. It's not like you're in a contract with anyone. Your hairstylist will eventually get over it.
Richard Ward is another story, though. I don't know if anyone will be able to replace a Duchess.
Have you ever had to "break up" with a hair salon or stylist?
Image via WPA Pool/Getty
