Princess Charlene of Monaco defends shaved ‘half-hawk’ haircut: ‘My decision’

Former Olympian says: ‘After the initial surprise wore off, the prince understood and likes it now too’

Princess Charlene of Monaco defends shaved haircut (Getty Images)

Princess Charlene of Monaco has defended her “half-hawk” buzz cut after the haircut was met with mixed reactions when the royal first unveiled it in December.

Princess Charlene, the wife of Prince Albert, showed off the edgy haircut, which saw the side and back of her head shaved, for the first time on 16 December while handing out gifts at the royal family's annual Christmas party at the palace, according to People.

Now, in a new interview with French magazine Point de Vue, the royal has stood by her decision to try out the haircut, telling the outlet that the style “pleases” her despite it provoking “all kinds of comments”.

The 42-year-old opened up about the new look in response to a question about dealing with the criticism as a public figure, with Princess Charlene telling the outlet: “This haircut was my decision.”

"It seems that it has provoked all kinds of comments. But it turns out that I wanted it for a long time, the style pleases me. That's all,” she continued, according to People.

The former Olympic swimmer also acknowledged that this is not the first unique haircut that she has tried out, before explaining that she plans to continue experimenting with her look.

“Certainly, of all the members of royal families, I'm probably the one who has tried the most different hairstyles, and I'll continue. That's my choice,” the royal said, adding: “The remarks of ‘But what is she doing?’ and ‘But it’s not royal!’ - I know these all too well.

“And I have nothing to say to them, except that we’re in 2021 and that in these times which are so troubling, so difficult, there are other, much more important subjects which deserve our attention.”

As for her family’s reaction to the hairstyle, Princess Charlene said that her six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella “adore” seeing their mother with the haircut - and that her husband, the son of late actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, became a fan as well once the “surprise wore off”.

“After the initial surprise wore off, the prince understood and likes it now too,” she said.

Princess Charlene’s latest haircut came after she previously debuted a bob with short blunt bangs in September 2020.