For her latest trip this Spring, a surprise visit to Northern Ireland that included a front-row appearance at a youth-led peace initiative, Meghan Markle stepped out with fiancé Prince Harry and her usual infectious smile. For the occasion, the bride to-be traded her usual polished blowout for an effortless updo that promised to withstand a marathon tour of Belfast—not to mention the wind.
Markle, who wore a beige wool coat and soft makeup, scraped her second-day lengths into a casual low chignon—the ultimate just-stepped-off-the-plane hairstyle that's becoming somewhat of her signature of late. And who can blame her? With a pre-wedding tour of Britain in full swing and the most highly anticipated event of the year just over a month away, the wispy, 2-minute bun is a failsafe, effortless bet.
And yet...with its flattering, face-framing pieces, which shifts the focus to her fine-boned features and long neck, it's easy to imagine a more formal version of the look making a knockout appearance at her May 19th nuptials. Royal brides from Queen Elizabeth I to Kate Middleton have traditionally worn their hair down for the occasion—but then as Markle has already more than proven this year, some rules are made to be broken.