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Princess Diana’s Hairstylist Sam McKnight Shares How Her Iconic Cropped Haircut Came to Be 

Princess Diana
Princess Diana Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty

We’ve come to expect enviable manes from royals like Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, but it’s quite possible that no one’s locks will every come close to eclipsing the publics love for Princess Diana‘s hair. Her signature cropped golden blonde hair was so popular, it triggered women everywhere to chop their locks off in an effort to add a bit of regal flair to their looks. So how did the iconic Princess Di ‘do come to be? According to the late Princess of Wales’ stylist, it was spontaneous.

Related: Every Time Kate Middleton Has Worn the Lover’s Knot Tiara, Princess Diana’s Fave

McKnight, who is known as the hands of some of the most game-changing editorial hair looks that have graced magazine covers and runway shows, spilled in his new book, Hair by Sam McKnight, that her signature style was born out of a Vogue shoot that they did together. While the short hair on her 1990 cover quickly became immortalized, it turns out that the style in the photo actually a faux crop!

Related: Find Out What Duchess Kate and Princess Diana’s Wedding Day Perfumes Have in Common

“I made her hair look short in the tiara for the shoot and she decided she liked it…As she was leaving, Diana asked what would I do to her hair if I had free reign…I suggested cutting it short and she, to my surprise, agreed, and we did it there and then,” writes McKnight.

Related: Meghan Markle Used Princess Diana’s Makeup Artist for Her Vanity Fair Cover

“I made her hair look short in the tiara for the shoot and she decided she liked it…As she was leaving, Diana asked what would I do to her hair if I had free reign…I suggested cutting it short and she, to my surprise, agreed, and we did it there and then,” writes McKnight.

Related: Princess Diana Was the Inspiration For These Two Timeless Handbags Still Available Today

Looking to make a change for 2018 and can’t get enough of the royals past and present? A life-defining new cut from Sam McKnight may not be in the cards, but you can get a taste of his styling prowess by using his 4 signature hair products (a range aptly called Hair by Sam McKnight) to groom your ‘do to feel like a royal.

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