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Resurfaced Photos Show Diana with Long Hair — and Fans Love It More Than Her Iconic Pixie Cut

While her ashy blonde tones, swept-back volume, and feathered look are known, many are unaware that Diana also briefly experimented with longer hair.

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Princess Diana at the London premiere of the Bond film 'For Your Eyes Only' on 24th June 1981. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Jayne Fincher)

Princess Diana was known for her golden pixie haircut. From her stylish shag cuts to her flawlessly groomed blowouts, everything Diana did became a trend in the '80s and '90s. Diana revamped royal elegance with a touch of contemporary flair. While her ashy blonde tones, swept-back volume, and feathered look are known, many are unaware that Diana also briefly experimented with longer hair.

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In 1984, shortly after giving birth to Prince Harry, Diana swapped her short hairstyle for a shoulder-length cut, tucking it neatly behind her ears. Though she quickly returned to her iconic cropped look, her long hair look was just as iconic. On Reddit, resurfaced photos of the same left royal fans completely in awe of the late Princess. A person commented, "Wow, I’ve never seen that before. She looks beautiful but almost unrecognizable with her hair styled like that."

Another echoed, "I love it too! This may be an unpopular opinion, but I’ve always thought her eighties chop, though iconic, distracted from her natural beauty. The softer, longer hairstyle lets it shine!" Chiming in, another penned, "I love it. It feels so much more youthful and age-appropriate. The short crop felt too mature for someone as young and vibrant as she was." Meanwhile, a fan argued, "I love her! And this hairstyle was gorgeous! She looked beautiful in any hairstyle, though!" Another reasoned, "I agree, though, I prefer the longer hair, but I imagine the short hair was easier for her to deal with and didn't take as long to style."

As the comments poured in, a fan gushed, "She’s so so beautiful and has a demure, cute look that no actress has been able to mimic. She’s so lovely because she’s authentic and it’s not put on." Diana's hair changed during the 1980s as she moved into the royal spotlight. She made a statement worthy of a future queen on her wedding day in 1981 by sporting a striking, flippy, chin-length hairstyle with bangs. By 1982, she had chosen a stylish bob with bangs, a gentler yet no less elegant style, while she was expecting Prince William. Her glowing complexion was enhanced by delicate golden highlights that framed her face.

Prominent hairstylist Sam McKnight, who initially collaborated with Diana for a Vogue photoshoot in 1990, played a significant role in shaping her changing hairstyles. The two established a creative alliance. From pixie cuts to layered shags and even early versions of the trendy wolf cut, her haircuts are timeless. Hairstylist Annagjid Kee Taylor also noted that Diana’s hair remains so versatile because it allows for experimentation with length and parting, making it adaptable to different face shapes, as reported by InStyle.

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