Meghan Markle’s Trademark ‘Messy Bun’ Hairstyle Explained: We Wanted ‘Refined Imperfection,’ Expert Says

Meghan Markle’s hairstylist explained her trademark “messy bun” hairstyle.

The Duchess of Sussex has been popular for her unique hairstyle when she attended various royal engagements before she married Prince Harry. Many dubbed Markle’s controversial style “messy bun.” Some praised it but several criticized it because royals are always well-kept and they found Markle’s messy hairstyle untidy.

Markle’s hairstylist George Northwood spoke about Markle’s hair and explained how they came up with that style that the duchess sported on her wedding day. According to him, they achieved the look they wanted.

“I wanted to share my positive experience and this big thing we’ve achieved that I’m so proud of,” Northwood told British Vogue.

“The messy bun purely came off the back of making the hair both appropriate and adhering to royal protocol, and modern at the same time. We wanted it to be up, because a lot of the time it was appropriate for it to be up, but we didn’t want it to be too formal. We always wanted it to be refined imperfection – that’s what sums her up.”

Markle and Northwood met in 2018 and their relationship was fast-track. He accompanied her to Australia, New Zealand and Tonga when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a three-week tour in the Commonwealth nations.

Northwood said that he styled Markle’s hair on a case-by-case basis. The duchess’ hairstyle depended on the occasion and the ensemble that she intended to wear.

The hair expert praised Markle for her real sense of style. He also described Prince Harry’s wife as a modern princess everyone can relate to and aspire to be.

Markle sported the messy hairstyle when she accompanied Prince Harry in Brixton in 2018. However, royal followers criticized it, with one calling it “untidy knot.” Some were even asking when she would get a new hairstylist and ask for help for her wardrobe.

Markle was criticized again for her messy hair in June 2018 when she and Prince Harry officially unveiled a new bridge in Widnes, Cheshire. Markle opted to let her hair flow, but it was windy and she was photographed with her locks all over her face and it didn’t sit well with the royal fans, some even advised her to tie her hair up.

“Can Meghan please opt for shorter hair or have it styled - so it does not cause her to pull it off her face, soooo annoying and distracting,” one wrote on Twitter.