The Sad Reason Why Princess Diana Always Wore Short Hair

Princess Diana is still a relevant figure amongst the British royalty. Diana made such an impact in the UK and the world that she changed people’s perspectives on the British monarchy. She was a beloved woman, with one of the highest acceptance rates of the entire royal family; in other words, a real cultural icon.

Diana loved fashion to the point that she would sometimes send hidden messages through her iconic outfits. One time she wore a sweater with some white sheep and a black one; it was said, this reflected how she felt about her new role as a new member of the royal family and as the wife to the heir to the throne. After that public appearance, millions wanted that sweater so bad, it was replicated all over the UK. So it happened with every dress, every handbag, every pair of shoes, and of course, her hairstyle.

The so-called ‘People’s Princess’ was known for wearing almost the same haircut all her life, a trend that was followed all over the world. Millions would ask for Princess Di’s haircut, which was very different from what the royals had been wearing for years. The custom was long and slicked back manes Diana never followed.

But the reason Princess Diana wore it this way goes beyond a fashion statement. Let’s go back to who she was before she assumed a role in the Royal Family. Diana Spencer was a quiet, simple, sweet, and conservative young woman. These parts of her personality made her the perfect bride to Prince Charles, and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were delighted with their new daughter-in-law.

Royalty has strict protocols, especially when it comes to fashion and the behavior of its members; elegance and discretion are two of their most valuable precepts. At first, Diana was the embodiment of both. Soon they got to know her better, and the people got to know her better; that’s when they realized that the new princess was actually shy, quiet, and preferred to remain anonymous.

Her new title put her under the spotlight, something she wasn’t used to, nor something she was comfortable with. To ease this overwhelming feeling, she devised a system to hide and feel secure: her haircut. Diana discovered that if she had some layers of hair around her face, she could cover herself by tilting her head while still look elegant and sophisticated. She had the natural ability to draw attention to herself, so she wanted to be able to hide whenever she felt overwhelmed.

“One of the things that was so associated with Diana was this idea of being hidden in plain sight — her hair was a big part of that,” says Linda Wells, founder of Allure who worked at Vogue when Diana became Princess of Wales. She stated that women express themselves through their hairstyles, especially those who can’t do it with words. Diana was like one of them; she used whatever she could to express herself through fashion and, also, with her hairstyle.

Diana changed her hairstyle very little throughout her life, but we can see a slight transformation as she gained confidence as a public person. She started hiding behind her hair, but little by little, she would start removing layers until she reached a shorter style, which allowed her entire face to be seen. As her short became shorter, her self-esteem, strength, and confidence grew considerably.

We can see Princess Diana talking about all this in the documentary Diana: In Her Own Words. She’s asked about the time she thought she went from feeling like a victim to a winner? to which she answers: “I suppose last summer when Sam cut my hair differently; it let out something quite different.”

Diana didn’t need luxurious jewelry, stunning outfits, or a long mane to feel accepted. She just needed to be herself: a princess, a woman, a HUMAN being with insecurities, fears, and struggles like anybody else; insecurities that little by little she managed to overcome.