Kate Middleton’s 13-Second Bun Hack Should Be Taught in Schools

I’ll admit it: I’m jealous of Kate Middleton and everyone who’s mastered this bun hack.

On September 11 the Princess of Wales visited the Marina Mill in the UK’s Kent County to tour the family-run silk weaving company and “celebrate the unique skill, creativity, and craftsmanship of British textile manufacturers,” per Kensington Palace. Though she arrived at the facility in a chic gray suit and black heels, she shook off her blazer when it was time to roll up her sleeves and try her hand at screen printing.

Of course, Middleton didn’t literally roll up her sleeves, as she was wearing a short-sleeved black knit top under her suit jacket, nor was she carrying a hair tie on her wrist when she wanted to secure her cascading loose curls away from of her face. I have a hunch that would break some sort of royal protocol, though I cannot confirm which one.

So, what did she do? Based on a video shared by Hello Magazine, the princess took a few seconds to simply gather her hair into a low ponytail and tie it into a knot. More specifically, she seems to twist the ponytail up and around before pushing it through the gap and pulling until the knot is secure, resulting in an unfussy low bun.

The Princess of Wales visits Marina Mill in Cuxton, England, on September 11, 2025.

CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/Getty Images

I’m sorry, what did I just watch? Though some Instagram commenters claim “most women can do this,” I assure you I’m not one of them. In fact, as someone with Rachel-inspired layers that have never reached too far past my shoulders, I wasn’t even aware that was something a person could do. Personally, if I need to put my hair in a bun, it requires at least one hair tie and a minimum of five bobby pins to secure all the pieces that stick out like I’m Lizzie McGuire.

Of course, my own Glamour colleagues were quick to let me know that girlies with long hair have been doing this for ages. “I do this with my hair all the time,” boasted Sam Reed, Glamour’s senior trending news and entertainment editor, over Slack, as if her long curly hair wasn’t enviable enough already! Senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco also confirmed she’s used the hack, writing, “It doesn’t hold but it’s good if you’re overheating and need a second to get it off your neck.”

Based on further videos, the style held long enough for Princess Catherine to finish her project, though it’s possible she secured the knotted bun with a pin in a stealthy manner. If so, its still a quick and clever method for styling a bun in a pinch. You can watch the video again here for a clearer tutorial—or just ask a friend with long hair to show you, I guess!

Who knew the antidote for my incurable pixie cut envy would be a 13-second video of Kate Middleton?