Is it an updo? Is it a faux-bob? Is it a hairdo impersonating a Claridges patisserie tray? There’s so much going on with the Princess of Wales’ first Royal Ascot 2026 hair look that it’s hard to know where to start unpacking it – but it’s certainly a brilliant 'best of both worlds' hairstyle for a long-haired girl like Kate.
We’re fully accustomed to seeing beautiful hair looks from Kate, but her day one look is quite astonishing, even by her standards. Staggeringly involved, it combines elements of about five hair styles in one, from a swirled croissant side bun to a pinned-up false bob when seen front-on. The term ‘updo’ simply doesn’t do it justice.
The crown section remains a mystery under Kate’s wide-brimmed hat, but there’s plenty to see further down. The Princess’s long, thick brunette hair has been sculpted into a formal hairdressing masterpiece, with more twists and turns than the average Harlan Coben thriller.
What’s especially striking is that it combines all the elegance of a traditional regal updo without compromising on interest from the front.
As celebrity hairstylist and Babyliss ambassador Syd Hayes tells GH, ‘What I particularly love about Kate's look is how it overcomes one of the traditional challenges of a formal updo. Historically, many hair updos were designed to look spectacular from the back, but could appear severe or tightly swept from the front.’
‘Kate delivers the best of both worlds. From the front, there’s softness, movement and the illusion of a beautifully-dressed faux bob, while the sides retain fullness and shape. Then, as you move around the hairstyle, the intricate detailing reveals.’
‘It’s especially flattering for someone like Kate, who is so synonymous with long, voluminous hair,’ he adds. ‘Rather than losing that signature ‘big hair’ identity in an updo, Kate smashes it as normal!’
In fact, the royal family has served up a host of imaginative updos recently. For instance, Kate herself has worn a re-spin of her wedding hair, in the form of a half-up cascade braid, while Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has impressed royal watchers with recent looks, including a modern, deconstructed updo and a French comb bun.
All these looks signal a new direction of travel for the royal updo, moving away from the more traditional, starchy styles favoured by Princess Anne. ‘Kate’s latest hairstyle sits at a really interesting intersection between heritage and modern glamour,’ says Syd. ‘There are clear Edwardian influences in the sculpted shape and detailed craftsmanship of an experienced hairstylist, yet the overall effect feels fresh, cool and contemporary.
‘It’s romantic without being fussy, polished without feeling rigid, which is exactly where luxe cool updo hair is heading,’ he says.
Kate’s exact hair is definitely a job for the professionals, although Syd notes that anyone can create its foundation: ‘It’s built on a beautiful blowout with plenty of movement and bend,’ he says.
‘One of my favourite tools for achieving this quickly is the Babyliss Air Power Volume, which allows you to dry the hair efficiently while maintaining that expensive-looking texture, softness and volume.’
BaByliss Air Power Volume Hot Air Styler
BaByliss Air Power Volume Hot Air Styler
And while you’d be hard-pressed to replicate all those intricate whirls, there are ways to emulate that fullness yourself. ‘A great professional tip is to use a hair doughnut or sponge as the foundation for your updo,’ says Syd. ‘It instantly creates structure and fullness, giving the hair something to wrap around and helping achieve that beautifully-sculpted, couture-inspired finish.’
Fit for royalty.
