A Look Back at Princess Diana’s Best Hair Looks, in Honor of the Late John Frieda
A Look Back at Princess Diana’s Best Hair Looks, in Honor of the Late John Frieda
Amanda LeWed, November 4, 2026 at 9:31 PM UTC
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Credit: Getty ImagesThe Gist -
British celebrity hairstylist John Frieda died at age 75.
Frieda built his legendary career styling clients like Princess Diana, Madonna, and Jackie Kennedy.
InStyle looks back at 10 of Princess Diana’s 9 best hair moments in honor of the man behind some of her memorable looks.
Princess Diana had a way of making even the simplest hairstyle feel like a fashion statement. Whether she was wearing her signature feathered crop, experimenting with a voluminous bob, or adding a royal touch with a sparkling tiara, her hair was just as memorable as her wardrobe. And behind some of these unforgettable looks was John Frieda, the British hairstylist whose influence reached well beyond the palace walls. News of Frieda’s death at age 75 was shared in a heartfelt Instagram statement from his salon. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family,” the message began.
Long before his name became synonymous with hair care, Frieda got his start in the family hairdressing business. His passion for fashion eventually led him to work with some of the most illustrious clientele, with Jackie Kennedy and Twiggy just being a few. In 1976, he opened his first salon in central London, setting the stage for a career that would bring everyone from Madonna to Nicole Kidman into his chair, along with the launch of his namesake beauty empire.
Among his famous clients, Frieda shared a close friendship with Princess Diana. The two began working together in the 1980s, with Frieda shaping some of her most memorable hairstyles. Frieda cut a feathered bob on 19-year-old Diana ahead of a portrait session she had with Lord Snowden to announce her February 1981 engagement to then-Prince Charles. Although Diana worked with other hairstylists throughout her life, Frieda’s early influence helped lay the groundwork for a hair evolution that would become the most iconic in beauty history.
Ahead, we’re revisiting 9 of Princess Diana’s best hair moments in honor of the late hairstylist, from soft, feathered layers to shorter, more modern cuts.
01 of 09
The Feathered Bob
Lady Diana Spencer visits Broadlands shortly after her engagement to the Prince of Wales on March 1981.Credit: Getty Images
During her early royal years, Princess Diana’s feathered bob became one of her most recognizable looks. This photo was snapped around the same time Diana sat for her official engagement portrait.
02 of 09
A Royal Affair
Princess Diana wearing the Queen Mary Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara at a banquet on April 29, 1983.Credit: Getty Images
Nothing says princess quite like a tiara. For formal occasions, Diana often swept her layers away from her face, letting the ends curl outward beneath her dazzling jewels. She even embraced a similar silhouette for her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles.
03 of 09
The Pixie Bob
Princess Diana accepting the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year award in 1995.Credit: Getty Images
When you think of Princess Diana, two things likely come to mind: the iconic revenge dress and her signature pixie bob. Short, softly layered, and effortlessly chic, the cut became synonymous with her style, proving that sometimes the simplest looks make the biggest statement.
04 of 09
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The Sophisticated Shag
Princess Diana Visiting The British American Benevolent Society During Her Official Tour Of Argentina on November 24, 1995.Credit: Getty Images
By the mid-’90s, Diana had embraced a more refined approach to her hair, trading her early voluminous styles for a sleek, tousled shag. With its choppy layers and subtle movement, the cut felt modern, refined, and perfectly in step with her evolving personal style.
05 of 09
Sculptural Lob
Princess Diana at the Performance Of Mozart’s Opera “marriage Of Figaro” At The Munich Opera House on November 4, 1987.Credit: Getty Images
In 1987, Diana experimented with a more structured silhouette, sporting a deep side part, outward-flipped ends, and a little extra length at the back. The result was a fresh yet polished take on the classic lob, with plenty of volume and personality.
06 of 09
The Wolf Cut
Princess Diana at Cowdray Park Polo Club on her second wedding anniversary on July 29, 1983.Credit: Getty Images
Diana wasn’t afraid to go for an edgier look, either. With its choppy layers, tousled texture, and extra length at the nape, this wolf cut brought a rebellious twist to her usual regal aesthetic. Decades later, the style feels just as relevant as ever.
07 of 09
The Slick-Back
Princess Diana attends the Fashion Awards at the Lincoln Center, New York, in January 1995.Credit: Getty Images
In 1995, Diana was embracing a more minimalist approach to her hair. With a deep side part and her short strands slicked back away from her face, the look felt sleek and timeless, allowing her dazzling jewels to take center stage.
08 of 09
The Finishing Touch
Princess Diana attends a dinner hosted by the Crown Prince in Bangkok, Thailand, in February 1988.Credit: Getty Images
Princess Diana was no stranger to a well-placed accessory. During a visit to Thailand, she adorned her hair with fresh flowers, but her love of embellishments didn’t stop there. From elegant hats to delicate veiling, she always found ways to add a little something extra to her look.
09 of 09
Borrowed From the Boys
Princess Diana shopping in Knightsbridge on October 15, 1994.Credit: Getty Images
By 1994, Diana’s hair had taken on a decidedly shorter silhouette, with a softly layered bixie that felt both modern and unfussy. The cropped cut was a natural extension of her off-duty wardrobe, pairing just as effortlessly with oversized blazers as it did with her signature sweatshirts and biker shorts.
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