Princess Diana was widely known for her distinct style while she was alive and is remembered as a fashion legend. The late royal’s signature haircut is one thing that has remained hard to forget even decades after she passed away. Diana’s hairstylist recently revealed how the Princess’s iconic hair came to be.
The late Princess of Wales had her fair share of fashion moments that defined pop culture for years to come. From her black revenge dress to her causal streetwear looks, the mother of two wasn’t a stranger to being a trendsetter.
Sam McKnight, who worked as a hairstylist for a 1990 Vogue photoshoot, shared how Diana’s signature was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision than a planned decision. In an interview with Today, the professional recalled his first interaction with the Princess.
“She came bounding up the stairs in a studio in Hackney, this beautiful long-legged blonde, and immediately made us all feel totally at ease,” McKnight shared. The hairstylist recalled how the late Princess had the ability to disarm people when she met them. Sam noted how the Princess could get “ rid of all the nerves, and laughing and making jokes.”
McKnight reveals that the Princess’ hair was closer to being shoulder length when she first entered the studio. In his book titled ‘Hair,’ the hairstylist shares how Diana’s hair had a classic ’80s volume to it. In another chapter of the book, he shares how he made the royal’s hair appear shorter than it was by tucking it behind a tiara.
princess diana’s hair throughout the years pic.twitter.com/fPipqiSiXf
— best of diana (@dianaofhearts) February 10, 2021
Diana loved McKnight’s styling so much that she wondered what wonders he could work on it if he were given full control. “As she was leaving, Diana asked what would I do to her hair if I had free reign,” the hairstylist recalled. He shared how, then he mentioned that he would cut it short, and Diana almost instantly agreed to the suggestion.
The new pixie cut that Diana sported made headlines and immediately grabbed the attention of everyone who kept a keen eye on her looks. McKnight recalled how “astounding” the events that followed the simple haircut were while in conversation with Today. “I discovered the power that she had in the press. The manner of coverage was quite extraordinary,” he noted.
Princess Diana looking at her grand babies hair like 😌☺️🧡🧡🥂. #PrinceArchie #PrincessLilibetDiana pic.twitter.com/iYwOzbA4mz
— Claire (@claireXanda) December 16, 2024
Diana seemingly trusted McKnight’s judgment enough to get her hair styled by him regularly. The hairstylist revealed how the Princess often trusted him with her hair maintenance appointments whenever she was in London. He would sometimes be called in in the evenings to style hair for important events. McKnight even accompanied the Princess on her humanitarian trips abroad.
Sam revealed how Prince William and Harry also got their hair cut by him on a few occasions. “Sometimes her beloved boys would be there and I would cut their hair, too,” the hairstylist shared.
Scroll below to see pictures of Princess Diana.
