Princess Charlene of Monaco may have debuted a new dramatic hairstyle over the weekend – but it’s far from the first time the Olympic swimmer has transformed her locks over the last few years.
In fact, while some royals like the Princess of Wales and Queen Letizia of Spain are known for their trademark hair styles, the 44-year-old has often stepped out with new looks.
When she first married Prince Albert, 64, in 2011, the Princess was known for her soft dirty blonde locks, which she swept into a low, elegant bun for the big day.
However since the wedding, Charlene has dramatically changed her hair on a number of occasions – while her marriage has also been rocked by rumours of infidelity, unhappiness and love children.
The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality’s ruler Prince Albert.
Princess Charlene of Monaco may have debuted a new dramatic hairstyle over the weekend – but it’s far from the first time the Olympic swimmer has transformed her locks over the last few years (pictured May 2023)
Princess Charlene married Prince Albert in 2011 (pictured left), but their wedding was plagued by rumours of a rift between the couple. Then, at the end of 2021, it emerged Prince Albert was facing a third paternity law suit. Charlene cut her honey blonde locks into a dramatic fringe and bob (right)
December 2020: Charlene’s most dramatic hair transformation came at the end of 2020, when she shaved part of her head, before leaving Monaco for South Africa
However rumours the pair were incompatible were sparked from the outset, with Charlene attracting a barrage of attention over an apparent bad dose of pre-wedding jitters which, reportedly, saw her seeking refuge in her country’s embassy and gaining the moniker ‘the Runaway Bride’.
When she joined the royal family, she was more often known for her elegant dress sense and usually chooses a neutral palette of cream, taupe and beige.
Meanwhile her hair was a soft blonde, which she often wore in loose waves around her face.
The changes first began in September 2020, when she arrived at the 107th Tour de France in Nice alongside her husband Prince Albert.
She debuted a new mini fringe at the event, which appeared to have been cut bluntly into the front of her dirty blonde bob.
By the end of the year, her marriage to Prince Albert was plagued by rumours, with a third paternity suit emerging.
The allegations claimed that Albert had fathered a love-child (which would be his third, if proven) with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship.
Soon after the allegations came to light in December 2020, Charlene famously shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker.
April 2022: When she returned to royal life after months of absence, Charlene wore her hair in a very short cropped platinum blonde style
She shocked by the public by shaving her head, opting for a dramatic punk rocker style hairstyle for a Christmas fair appearance.
Known for her signature blonde locks, the royal was almost unrecognisable as she debuted a dramatic half-shaved haircut on the outing.
The mother-of-two’s style featured a close shave down the left side of her head, with the remaining hair dyed blonde-brown and cut in a choppy, punk-inspired style.
Experts described the bold look as an act of rebellion for a royal, who repeatedly described her life as part of the royal family as ‘very lonely’.
Professionals suggested at the time her new bold hairstyle might be a way for Charlene to silently communicate her emotions to the public, signalling that she feels ‘liberated’ and has literally ‘sheared off’ the restrictions of the Monaco Royal Family.
Speaking to FEMAIL at the time, Dr Becky Spelman, psychologist, Private Therapy Clinic said Princess Charlene’s new dramatic ‘liberating’ cut could indicate she is ‘not waiting for permission’ in her life anymore, saying: ‘It really shows actually that Princess Charlene doesn’t mind what people think. Actually, she might want a little more attention right now.’
Meanwhile royal expert Nigel Crawthorne, author of Prince Andrew, said the move was an ‘indication of a major development in Charlene’s life that has shorn away Monegasque etiquette’, adding: ‘When a royal changes their appearance as dramatically as Princess Charlene of Monaco did, it is a very conscious decision and a sign that they want to tell the world something has changed dramatically in their life.’
2011: Charlene, who was accused of trying to run away three times before she married, was seen in floods of tears on her wedding day to Prince Albert
2018: The mother-of-two, who has spoken of her ‘loneliness’ in Monaco on several occasions, became known for her honey blonde locks, which she often wore in soft waves around her face
And by the spring, Charlene had left for South Africa.
She had a 10-month absence in her native country, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.
While there, her dramatic haircut was softened, and she appeared to wear her locks in a more natural, mousey brown, colour.
She kept the same hairstyle when she arrived back in Monaco in November 2021, but was quickly taken to a treatment centre outside the principality.
When she returned to public duty in May 2022, she had once again transformed her locks.
Instead of the dirty blonde look she had become known for, the Princess cropped her hair into a short cut and dyed it a platinum blonde.
2021: Charlene spent the majority of the year in South Africa, wearing her hair in a short cropped style in what appeared to be her natural mousey brown colour
Autumn 2021: The mother-of-two returned to Monaco briefly before leaving for a treatment facility
May 2022: On Charlene’s return to public duty, the Princess began wearing her hair in a cropped, platinum blonde style
It was a look she continued to wear for months as she gradually returned to the public eye, taking part in solo engagements and joint tours with Prince Albert.
As she began attending more and more events, she began wearing her hair in a softer cropped style – and returned to her honey blonde look.
In March, French magazine ROYAUTÉ claimed that the prince and princess are in the process of separation – a rumour which gained momentum when the article was repeated by gossip sites, which sparked speculation on social media.
However the Palace’s press office said they ‘formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the magazine.
A spokesperson said: ‘I would like to formally deny the malicious rumors peddled by the French magazine Royauté. Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.’
Then, over the weekend, Princess Charlene debuted a new look as she stepped out for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix alongside other members of the Royal Family.
The former Olympic swimmer showed off a new hair do as she attended the annual motoring event, which is held on the Circuit de Monaco, with her husband Prince Albert.
In a bold move away from the platinum crop she has worn in recent months, Charlene sported rich, shining dark auburn hair, still in her signature elfin short style.
May 2023: As she began attending more high profile events in public, Charlene opted for a darker hairstyle
Then, over the weekend, Princess Charlene debuted a new look as she stepped out for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix alongside other members of the Royal Family
The royal, who appeared deep in thought as she was photographed standing next to her husband, paired the dramatic new ‘do with a chic maxi dress in a full-length classic shift-style cut, featuring rainbow coloured stripes down the front.
Her locks were simply styled into a side parting, to show off her simple diamond studs, and her elegant make-up look comprising a fresh base and light brown smokey eyes.
Meanwhile, Prince Albert was also smart, donning slacks with a classic blazer, crisp shirt and tie.
Also at the Grand Prix was Grace Kelly’s granddaughter Charlotte Casiraghi, 36, accompanied by her husband, Dimitri Rassam, and her son Raphaël, eight.
Meanwhile, Grace Kelly’s grandson, Louis Ducruet, 30, was also in attendance with his wife, Marie Chevallier, also 30.
Pierre Casiraghi, 35, and his wife, Beatrice Borromeo, 37, also attended, alongside Andrea Casiraghi, 38, and his Tatiana Santo Domingo, 39. The pair were picture with their son, Maximilian and daughter India.
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