There is a reason medieval princess hair captures the imagination the way it does. Long flowing locks, delicate crowns, romantic braids, and the soft glow of candlelight — the hairstyles of medieval princesses and queens have been romanticized in art, literature, and film for centuries and they continue to inspire modern styling in ways that feel timeless rather than dated.
Medieval hairstyles princesses wore were not just decorative. They were statements of status, beauty, and royal identity. A princess’s hair was one of her most visible attributes in a world where appearance communicated social standing before a single word was spoken. Long hair was prized, crowns and fillets marked rank, and the care taken over a noblewoman’s hairstyle reflected the wealth and intention of her household.
These are 15 medieval hairstyles princesses and queens wore — or that the fairytale version of medieval royalty has made iconic — along with practical guidance for recreating each one for cosplay, Renaissance events, wedding day looks, and anyone who wants to channel a little genuine princess energy.
1. Long Loose Blonde Hair with Circlet Crown
Long loose blonde hair with a simple gold circlet is the most iconic of all medieval hairstyles princesses in art and fairytale have made universal. It is the visual shorthand for a medieval princess that appears in every illustrated fairy tale, fantasy film, and Renaissance painting depicting royal feminine beauty. The hair falls completely free and the circlet is the only adornment needed.
This is one of the most accessible medieval hairstyles princesses easy recreations because it requires nothing more than long hair worn down and a simple gold or silver circlet placed across the forehead. The medieval princess character comes entirely from the circlet and the gown rather than any complex hairstyling technique.
2. Princess Braided Updo with Crown
A braided updo with a decorative crown placed on top is one of the most complete medieval hairstyles princesses updo looks for anyone recreating a royal medieval aesthetic. The braided sections are wound and pinned into a soft crown shape across the top of the head and the actual crown or tiara sits securely on top anchored by the braided base beneath it.
The braided base is what keeps the crown in place through a full event or ceremony which is exactly why this combination has been used by royalty throughout history — the practical and the ceremonial working together seamlessly. For braid updo techniques that translate to this style, our braids hairstyles guide has detailed steps worth practicing.
3. Fairytale Loose Curls with Flower Crown
Long loose curls with a delicate flower crown is one of the most romantic medieval hairstyles princesses fairytale aesthetic has made beloved. The natural curls falling freely create the softness and movement that gives the look its fairytale quality and the flower crown adds a natural, organic royalty that a metal crown does not. This combination appears in pre-Raphaelite paintings and medieval-inspired art that has shaped how most people visually imagine a medieval princess.
This is also one of the most beautiful medieval hairstyles princesses curls options for women with naturally curly hair because the texture does all the visual work on its own. A flower crown is simply the finishing touch that elevates natural curls into something genuinely magical. For more curly hair styling ideas, our curly hair hairstyles guide has great techniques for defining and enhancing natural curl texture.
4. The Royal Two-Braid with Gold Fillet
The royal two-braid with a gold fillet headband is one of the most historically grounded medieval hairstyles princesses and noblewomen actually wore throughout the high medieval period. Two thick braids falling from the temples past the shoulders combined with a slim gold fillet across the crown appears in medieval manuscript illuminations depicting royal and noble women across France, England, and Germany.
It is one of the most straightforward medieval hairstyles princesses tutorial options because the basic technique is simply two braids combined with the right accessory. The gold fillet is what elevates it from everyday to royal — the same braid with a plain cloth headband reads as peasant while the same braid with a gold fillet reads as princess.
5. Princess Half Up with Veil and Crown
The half up with a veil and crown is the most complete medieval hairstyles princesses wedding look because it combines the three most iconic elements of royal medieval bridal styling into one complete look. The sheer veil flows behind, the jeweled crown sits on top anchoring the veil to the pinned section, and the loose waves below provide the romantic softness that makes the whole style feel genuinely bridal.
This is also one of the most popular medieval-inspired hairstyles for modern brides who want a fairytale wedding aesthetic. The crown can be a delicate floral piece for a garden wedding or a fully jeweled tiara for a more formal ceremony. For more bridal updo ideas to pair with crowns and veils, our updo hairstyles guide has elegant styles worth exploring.
6. Queen’s Elaborate Pinned Updo with Jewels
The elaborate jeweled updo with a heavy queen’s crown is the most visually powerful of all medieval hairstyles princesses queens wore because it communicates absolute authority through its sheer ornamentation. Jeweled pins create a glittering effect throughout the pinned updo and the weight and presence of the heavy crown on top completes the transformation from noblewoman to queen entirely.
In medieval art this style appears in depictions of queens, saints crowned as heavenly royalty, and powerful female figures whose status needed to be immediately and unambiguously communicated through their appearance.
7. Blonde Princess Braid Down the Back
A single long blonde braid down the back with a small crown at the top is one of the most universally recognized medieval hairstyles princesses blonde fairytale aesthetic is built around. It is simple, iconic, and completely effective. The braid keeps all that long blonde hair beautifully controlled while the crown marks the wearer as royalty.
This is one of the easiest medieval hairstyles princesses easy tutorial options because it requires only basic braiding skill and a simple crown or circlet accessory. It is also one of the most popular choices for Renaissance fairs, cosplay events, and any occasion where a recognizable princess aesthetic is desired without elaborate preparation.
8. Princess Curly Updo with Pearls
A soft curly updo with pearl pins and a pearl-and-gold crown is one of the most elegantly feminine medieval hairstyles princesses curls create naturally. Natural curl texture in an updo has a softness and dimension that straight hair simply cannot replicate and the pearl accessories complement the warmth and organic quality of natural curls beautifully.
The crown sits on the curly updo and is anchored by the texture of the curls which actually hold it more securely than smooth straight hair would. This is a beautiful choice for medieval-inspired weddings, formal cosplay events, and any royal aesthetic photoshoot.
9. Short Princess Style with Crown
Short hair with an elaborate crown is one of the most visually powerful medieval hairstyles princesses short style options because the crown becomes the absolute centerpiece of the look with nothing competing for attention around it. Some historical queens in medieval art are depicted with shorter hair under elaborate crowns, and the modern recreation of this aesthetic has a bold, commanding quality that longer styles sometimes lack.
The crown sits low and close on short hair which makes it look more integrated into the overall style rather than perched on top of a mass of hair. A heavily jeweled or sculptural crown works especially well on short hair for this reason.
10. Fairytale Braided Crown with Wildflowers
A braided crown with wildflowers tucked throughout is one of the most enchanting medieval hairstyles princesses fairytale aesthetic has produced and it is completely achievable for anyone with medium to long hair and basic braiding skill. Braid around the perimeter of your head, pin the braid in place at the back, and then tuck small flower stems into the braid at intervals.
Small white flowers, baby’s breath, tiny roses, and delicate greenery all work beautifully for this style. It photographs exquisitely in outdoor natural settings and is a popular choice for medieval-themed outdoor weddings, garden ceremonies, and fairytale photoshoots.
11. Princess Hennin with Long Veil
The hennin with a long flowing veil is the most architecturally spectacular of all medieval hairstyles princesses fairytale imagery has preserved. The tall pointed cone with a sheer veil flowing from its tip is what most people picture when they imagine a classic storybook princess and it is directly derived from actual 15th century French and English court fashion.
It is one of the most show-stopping medieval hairstyles princesses crowns and headdresses category has to offer for cosplay, Renaissance fairs, and period-accurate photography. The impact of walking into a room wearing a hennin and trailing veil is completely unmatched by any other medieval hairstyle choice.
12. Two-Braid Wedding Style with Flower Pins
Two braids decorated with pearl and flower pins meeting at the back is one of the most romantic medieval hairstyles princesses wedding looks for brides who want a fairytale medieval aesthetic without a full updo or elaborate headdress. The braids frame the face on either side and the decorative pins running down each braid length add a bridal quality that elevates the style from casual to genuinely ceremonial.
This works beautifully on long and medium length hair and pairs especially well with lace wedding gowns that have a medieval or pre-Raphaelite aesthetic. For more wedding updo and braid ideas to explore alongside this style, our half up wedding hairstyles with veil guide has bridal looks worth considering.
13. Princess Loose Waves with Tiara
Long romantic loose waves with a delicate tiara is one of the most wearable and modern interpretations of medieval hairstyles princesses crowns combinations because it takes the most romantic element of the medieval princess look — the tiara — and pairs it with contemporary wavy hair styling rather than a period-accurate braided style.
The tiara sits across the crown on the waves and the crystal pins tucked into the hair below catch the light in a way that makes the whole style look genuinely magical in photography. This is one of the most popular choices for modern bridal looks inspired by medieval princess aesthetics and it suits absolutely every hair texture.
14. Noble Princess Half Up with Long Flowing Hair
A simple half up with just the front sections pinned back and the rest of the hair falling in long flowing curtains past the waist is one of the most effortlessly beautiful medieval hairstyles princesses easy options for anyone with long hair. The length itself is the statement — very long hair falling past the waist with just the front sections pinned back communicates the medieval princess aesthetic through proportion and natural beauty alone.
The jeweled pins at the crown are the only added detail needed. The longer and more flowing the hair, the more the medieval princess character comes through without any complex styling required.
15. Medieval Princess Updo for Short Hair
Short hair should not be a barrier to wearing medieval princess hairstyles and the solution is elegantly simple — a hair fall or clip-in hair piece adds the length needed to create braids, updos, and flowing styles that would otherwise be impossible on short hair. The hairpiece is clipped in at the crown, styled into the desired medieval shape, and topped with a crown that covers the attachment point completely.
This is one of the most practical medieval hairstyles princesses short hair wearers can try for cosplay, Renaissance fairs, and period-accurate events. The crown does most of the visual work and short hair beneath a beautiful crown can look just as regal as any long-haired princess in the room.
Final Thoughts
Medieval hairstyles princesses wore have a timeless appeal that goes far beyond historical accuracy. They capture something genuinely romantic about the idea of royalty — the idea that hair, when worn with the right accessories and the right intention, can be one of the most powerful expressions of identity and beauty available to anyone.
Whether you are recreating these looks for a wedding, a cosplay event, a Renaissance fair, or simply because the idea of a flower crown and loose waves makes a Tuesday feel more magical, these medieval princess hairstyles are genuinely achievable and genuinely beautiful.
For more historical and fairytale-inspired hair ideas, our historical hairstyles medieval guide covers the full range of medieval hair from peasant to queen. For more everyday hair inspiration across every occasion, browse our complete hair ideas collection and find your next favorite look.
