The Princess of Wales’ high ponytail: a softer way to wear it

The Princess of Wales wore her brunette hair in a high ponytail for a visit to the volunteer-run West Sussex Minibus service at Pulborough Village Hall on 30 September 2026. With lift above the forehead and waves falling from the fastening, the look offered an alternative to a completely flat, tightly brushed updo.

For our Hairlines & Edges edit, the detail worth borrowing is the balance: a controlled outline without removing all the softness around it. We rate this approach because the finish does not depend on making every short hair disappear. It also puts a useful styling question centre stage: what happens to your hairline and colour when you sweep everything back?

What happened

Catherine’s ponytail sat high on her head, with volume through the crown and movement in the lengths. Those are separate components: the position of the elastic determines where the tail begins, while the shape above it determines how flat or lifted the style looks from the front.

That distinction matters when recreating it. Simply moving a tightly brushed ponytail higher will not produce the same crown shape. Before fastening, look at the outline in profile and decide where you want the height, rather than concentrating only on getting the elastic in place.

The waves supplied another visual effect. A curved strand occupies more space than one hanging straight, so movement can make the tail appear more substantial without adding any hair. It is a styling illusion, not a change in the amount of hair you have.

Brunette colour also looks different when the lengths are gathered rather than spread across the shoulders: lighter pieces may sit together, creating more obvious ribbons. Our guide to two brunette wave looks to take to the salon offers another way to think about the relationship between colour placement and movement.

The background

A high ponytail changes what you see

Brushing hair away from the face exposes the temples and front roots, while brushing across a usual parting can make that particular line less visible. Neither result is automatically better. Check the front and both sides before deciding whether any colour touch-up is needed; the area you normally cover might not be the area on show.

Grey roots are entirely compatible with this style. Leaving them visible gives a different colour pattern from concealing them, not an unfinished hairstyle. If you do want temporary coverage, choose a shade that blends with the roots you are trying to match rather than automatically reaching for the darkest colour in your lengths.

Root powder generally offers more localised placement with its applicator; a spray can cover a broader area, depending on the nozzle and formula. Follow the product’s instructions and use it only on the areas for which it is intended. Neither category creates the physical lift seen at the crown.

Length sets the limits

A ponytail needs enough length for the relevant sections to reach its fastening. Shorter pieces at the nape may reach a lower position but slip out of a higher one. Test the position with your hand first: it is more useful than repeatedly brushing and tying a shape your current cut cannot comfortably support.

Layers affect the outline too. A shorter front section might work better left loose than stretched back and pinned into submission. If wearing your hair up is a priority, discuss that before a cut; our guide to choosing a bob by its shape explains why the practical silhouette matters more than the haircut’s name.

Texture changes the tools you need. Brushing through dry curls can separate their definition, so fingers or an appropriate detangling tool may make more sense than repeated passes with a smoothing brush. There is no requirement to straighten the lengths before gathering them.