What’s the first image that comes to mind when you think of the late Princess Diana? I’m betting some combination of her flushed cheeks, belted dresses, and, of course, her iconic flipped-out pixie cut. But apparently, fans were so obsessed with Princess Diana’s hair, it had to be imperceptibly trimmed every few weeks in secret.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
In a new rare interview with Princess Diana’s personal hairstylist, Richard Dalton detailed the frenzy that came with the late royal’s hair. “Whatever I did to her hair became front-page news,” said Dalton to Town & Country.
So when the princess once wanted to chop off her shoulder-length cut into a shorter, simpler style before she traveled to Africa—but was worried her haircut would take over the news—Dalton decided to do the tiniest of haircuts every few weeks. “We had to be very careful,” said Dalton. “We had to do it one-fourth of an inch at a time over several weeks.”
The final result was a textured pixie that got gradually shorter in the public eye, without arousing suspicion. Brilliant (and time-consuming), right? Of course, Princess Diana has been known to have been quite serious about her hair, even bringing her other longtime hairstylist Sam McKnight with her on international trips to help maintain her look.
“She knew that power she had,” said McKnight in an interview with Today, adding that the princess once told him, “‘I'm going to these places where there are lots of people who are expecting Princess Diana, and I don't want to let them down. They don't want to see me coming out the gym. They want to see Princess Diana.’”
Secret haircuts, feeling the need to look iconic at all times, and being scrutinized by the entire world are just a few of the, uh, perks, that come with being a princess, but clearly Princess Diana knew how to handle living in the public eye. But just think about all this next time you dream of being Meghan Markle, K?
Princess Diana's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
August 9, 1997
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(Image credit: Mirrorpix)
Princess Diana visited Bosnia to raise awareness of the landmines in 1997. The royal wore her Cartier watch and Tod's loafers.
August 9, 1997
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(Image credit: Mirrorpix)
Princess Diana visited Bosnia to raise awareness of the landmines in 1997. The royal wore her Cartier watch and Tod's loafers.
May 22, 1997
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(Image credit: Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library)
Princess Diana visited The Shaukat Memorial Hospital in Pakistan. She wore a traditional blue ensemble and carried a handbag from Tod's, which is named after her.
April 21, 1997
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana wore a Chanel tweed suit set and carried a handbag designed by Lana Marks while visiting the British Lung Foundation.
January 13, 1997
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(Image credit: Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library)
For a visit to the Luanda airport, Princess Di wore Superga sneakers.
January 1, 1997
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(Image credit: Mitchell Gerber)
Princess Diana spotted in NYC wore a foam green skirt suit and carried a white Chanel bag.
September 12, 1996
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana stunned in a white Versace mini dress while attending a concert in Italy.
May 1996
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(Image credit: New York Daily News)
Princess Diana wore a John Galliano slip dress to the Met Gala.
The royal wore a purple Versace dress and Jimmy Choo pumps while attending a gala dinner in Chicago.
June 29, 1994
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
Princess Diana arrived at the Serpentine Gallery in London. She opted for an off-the-shoulder dress by Christina Stambolian. (You can shop a similar one here.)
Princess Diana and Prince William attended the christening of her niece in Sandringham in a houndstooth ensemble and Chanel slingbacks.
May 1, 1990
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
Princess Diana donned a Catherine Walker suit with a Philip Somerville hat to visit Heroes' Square in Budapest.
April 11, 1990
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
The royal enjoyed a beach holiday in Necker with her sons. She chose an animal print one-piece swimsuit and wore a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.
July 27,1989
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana attended the performance of Swan Lake in London. She wore a Catherine Walker gown.
June 1989
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(Image credit: Anwar Hussein)
Princess Diana and Prince Harry were spotted leaving nursery school. Lady Di wore a pink buttoned dress and accessorized with a Cartier watch.
March 17, 1989
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(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
Princess Diana visited Dubai during her official tour of the Gulf States. Lady Di wore Catherine Walker ensemble and a Philip Somerville hat.
March 15, 1989
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(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
The princess wore a pink and red color block Catherine Walker dress and a Philip Somerville hat during her official tour of the Gulf States.
November 9, 1988
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(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
Princess Diana wore Catherine Walker white ensemble in Chambord, France during her official visit to the country.
June 23, 1988
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
Princess Diana visited the Royal Hampshire Regiment. She was seen wearing a jumpsuit and a pair of pink Converse sneakers.
June 10, 1988
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(Image credit: Georges De Keerle)
Princess Diana stepped out to play tennis at the Vanderbilt Raquet Club in London. She wore Reebok sneakers and carried a Wilson racket.
July 18, 1986
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana, seen on the steps of her home in Highgrove, Gloucestershire. She wore gingham trousers, pink sweater, and white boat shoes (shop similar).
November 3, 1985
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
The royal attended a polo match in Australia. She choose a striped shirt dress and accessorized with a D initial necklace and a Patek Philippe gold watch.
September 1985
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana visited Raf Wittering. She opted for a Catherine Walker coat dress.
July 1985
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana wore green Barbour coat during a tour of the Western Isles.
June 30, 1985
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana attended a polo match while wearing a white sailor top, floral skirt, and a Patek Philippe watch.
May 4, 1985
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana wore a Bruce Oldfield dress during a visit to Venice. (Shop a similar blue strong shoulder dress.)
April 1, 1985
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
Princess Diana visited Livorno while wearing a Jasper Conran suit ensemble and tie.
February 1985
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
The royal wore a beige Caroline Charles coat during a visit to Derby.
July 29, 1983
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
Princess Diana attended a polo match in West Sussex while wearing seersucker trousers, a white top, and acetate aviator sunglasses (shop similar).
July 24, 1983
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana attended a polo match in Windsor. She was seen wearing a polka dot dress (shop similar), a coin necklace, and two watches. She was known for wearing two watches during matches to bring Prince Charles luck.
June 1983
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
Princess Diana opted for a Muir & Osborne black sheep sweater for a polo match.
March 1983
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(Image credit: Princess Diana Archive)
During an official tour to Australia, Princess Diana wore a pink polka dot dress by Donald Campbell (shop similar) and a matching hat by John Boyd.
April 1983
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
Princess Diana wore a green spotted dress and a Patek Philippe watch for a visit to Auckland, New Zealand.
May 6, 1981
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(Image credit: Tim Graham)
The royal couple were photographed together at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland. Lady Di wore a colorful alpaca sweater, corduroy trousers, and Hunter rain boots.
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