30 Royal Crown Braid Styles

If you want to feel both royal and romantic for a big event like a wedding or just to perk up your style on an ordinary day, the crown braid, also known as the halo braid, is the latest braided hairstyle you need to try. Unlike the more common three strand and french braids that we’re used to seeing on a fairly regular basis, the crown braid brings an elevated level of style that’s more simple than a curled and pinned updo, but more romantic than a plain bun or ponytail.

Sometimes referred to as a halo braid or milkmaid braid, the crown braid is basically a french or dutch braid that circles the perimeter of your head. Begin with a section of hair from along the hairline at your forehead, divide it into three sections and begin braiding using a french or dutch technique by adding hair into the braid as you continue on. Keep braiding around towards the back of the head, eventually wrapping the braid back around to where you started. Depending on how long your hair is, you might need to keep braiding past this point until you reach the ends of your hair, then secure with an invisible elastic and pin the end of braid inside of your crown to conceal it. If you need some inspiration before you try this style out on your own, take a look at these 30 crown braid styles fit for any queen.

Julianne Hough’s pictured style pulls off the impressive feat of having lots of volume but without looking messy. When pulling apart braids to add height and definition, be sure to begin gently and carefully, as pulling too hard can ruin the braid and mean you’re starting over from scratch.

In this type of crown braid often called a milkmaid braid, long hair is braided in a three strand braid behind one ear, then wrapped over the head and pinned behind the other ear. The end result is a similar looking style that takes much less time to pull off, and is more suited to less formal occasions that still call for ultra stylish braids.

Instead of wrapping all the way around the head, this modified crown braid style features a french braid from either side of a deep side part, and pins hair together at the back of the head for an elegant updo.

By leaving some loose strands of hair around the face, this wedding-ready crown braid keeps things soft and romantic for your big day. Accessorize with floral elements taken from your bouquet to add an extra level of sweetness to this wedding look.

With not a hair out of place, Emma Watson’s crown braid style shows how powerful and elegant this hairstyle can look. If you’re hoping to get an equally flawless crown braid for a special occasion, we recommend practicing in advance to work out any kinks ahead of time.

Made from two french braids that begin near the front of the head, this subtly elegant style is perfect for anyone who wants a crown braided hairstyle that won’t feel like it’s overwhelming their face.

Let things get a little wild and frizzy if you’re looking for low-key wedding day hair to go along with your outdoor ceremony. We love flower accessories for an easy added touch that can even take the place of carrying a bouquet for non-traditional brides.

With dutch braids that begin on either side of a centre part and then turn into fishtail braids that wrap back around the front, you’ll need some seriously long hair to pull off a crown braid style as impressive as Ciara’s.

Unlike some of the chunkier or pulled apart braids, this sleek style is made with a perfectly uniform braid, while loose tendrils around the face help to balance the look with some softness.

The off centre positioning of this braid helps create a cute and funky stylet that’s casual yet chic.

Simple and elegant, this twisted two strand style puts a slight spin on the traditional crown braid without being too complicated or difficult to get right.

If you want to upgrade your braids for a special occasion, try a crown braided style that uses the more intricate fishtail technique. This braid is more time consuming and can be difficult to do on your own hair, so we’d advise getting a stylist or friend to help you recreate this look.

Braids pop with any multidimensional hair color, but we’re especially loving the mixture of an elegant crown braid with the modern vibe of bubblegum and pastel pink shades.