Princess Diana's Most Memorable Hairstyles Through the Years
Take a trip back in time with the late royal's most iconic styles.
Princess Diana was — and continues to be — a style icon. Beyond her captivating fashion looks (Anyone else remember that blue dress?), the "People's Princess" also had ever-changing hairstyles that inspired salon requests for a generation and then some. The iconic short haircut that she famously wore for more than a decade actually almost never happened, according to her longtime stylist Sam McKnight. She spontaneously requested the chop when they first starting working together, but that spur-of-the-moment decision also reveals just how fearless "Dynasty Di" really was. In fact, her transition from "Shy Di" to "People's Princess" is entirely evident in her most memorial hairstyles from 1971 to months before her death in 1997.
1971
A 10-year-old Diana repped shoulder-length hair, but her cut would only get shorter over the years.
1980
Lady Diana first caught the eye of her future husband in 1980, when the teenager rocked a blunt, almost-brunette bob.
1981
For the official engagement announcement on February 24, 1981, the bride-to-be kept it simple, opting for soft layers.
1981
The 20-year-old embraced sideswept bangs, her signature look for the next decade.
RELATED: 12 Times Meghan Markle Dressed Just Like Princess Diana
1981
At her fairytale wedding in July, Diana accessorized ash blonde hair with her family's own treasure, the Spencer tiara.
1982
The new royal maintained a similar haircut during her first pregnancy, but added some bright highlights to freshen things up.
RELATED: 20 Massive Royal Wedding Fails You Never Knew About
1982
The new mom introduced the world to her first son on June 21, 1982, with her hair perfectly swept back on the front and sides.
1983
In 1983, Princess Diana embarked on a major tour of Australia and New Zealand. At the state reception in Brisbane, she dressed up soft waves with the Spencer family tiara.
1984
After Harry was born on September 15, 1984, Diana stepped out of the hospital with a gravity-defying blowout.
1984
With now-toddler William and new baby Harry, the busy mom pinned back her shoulder-length hair.
1985
The Princess of Wales later returned to her familiar bangs, albeit with some poofy '80s volume.
1985
Ever inventive, the royal wore an emerald choker as a headband when she hit a dance floor with Prince Charles.
RELATED: Why Princess Diana’s Jewelry Might Start Appearing in Public More
1986
Curling her hair away from her face allowed the royal to show off elaborate earrings at an Austrian gala.
1987
Diana's hair is tucked up and under a hat by Graham Smith for the 1987 Sovereigns Parade.
RELATED: 34 Gorgeous Ways to Style Short Hair
1988
While she eventually embraced choppier styles, Diana repped soft and perfectly-coiffed 'dos as a young princess.
1989
The royal looked blonder than ever at the Queen Mother's 89th Birthday celebration.
1990
On the iconic British Vogue cover that McKnight styled, Diana's hair is sneakily tucked back under a tiara to fake a shorter length.
1991
The shorter the bangs, the bigger the statement: Here she is rocking super-short bangs at the Royal Opera House.
1992
This style for a royal banquet (shortly before announcing her separation from Charles) definitely embraces the curls.
1993
During her trip to the amusement park, Diana's shaggy pixie withstood a ride on the log flume.
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
New Photograph of Kate Middleton Recalled
Kate Middleton Isn't Wearing Rings in New Photo
Kate Wears Blue Ensemble at Christmas Service
The Most Awkward Royal Family Photos
