Is Princess Charlene's new haircut a sign of her 'liberation'? Royal's half-shaved style signals she 'isn't waiting for permission anymore' after years of 'loneliness' and rumours of husband Prince Albert's infidelity, experts say

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Once known for her bouncy blonde locks, Princess Charlene of Monaco shocked royal fans yesterday when she debuted a striking new shaved hairstyle.

Experts today described the bold new look as an act of rebellion for a royal, 42, who has endured years of rumours about husband Prince Albert's infidelity and repeatedly described her life as part of the royal family as 'very lonely'. 

Their marriage was strained from the start. Former Olympic swimmer Charlene, 42, reportedly tried to flee Monaco for her native South Africa on three separate occasions before the royal wedding after discovering Albert had fathered a love child - his third - while they were together.  

Monaco officials were said to have coaxed her back by brokering a deal between the Prince and his reluctant bride, saying she could leave once she had provided him with a legitimate heir. Charlene was in floods of tears on her wedding day in 2011.  

In the almost 10 years since, Charlene, who shares six-year-old twins with Albert, has rarely spoken publicly of her experience but last year admitted life was 'very painful', saying: 'I have the privilege of having this life, but I miss my family and my friends in South Africa and I'm often sad because I cannot always be there for them.'

Experts suggest 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. It remains to be seen whether this will carry over to any other part of her life.

Princess Charlene of Monaco, 42, appeared unrecognisable yesterday as she attended the traditional Christmas tree ceremony at the Monaco Palace

Dr Becky Spelman, psychologist, Private Therapy Clinic told FEMAIL the dramatic cut could indicate Princess Charlene is 'not waiting for permission' anymore,

Speaking to FEMAIL today, 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.'

Dr Becky said a dramatic change in hair could indicate Charlene's positive body image and confidence, revealing: Hair is a great way of expressing ourselves, people have the opportunity to really go for it.

'This really shows confidence, it shows you're not afraid to be different.'

She said the bold styling showed the mother-of-two doesn't care about the judgement of others, and could be 'liberating' for her.

The psychologist explained: 'Often people don't express themselves by having wild hairstyles due to the fear of what people will think. 

She said the royal might actively be seeking attention, adding: 'So what better way of doing this than through her hair?' 

Dr Becky continued: 'She's not waiting for permission to do something different, like going to an event where it's okay to do something more dramatic.

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 in 2011 

'She's actually just living in her life in a very liberated way. 

'She probably feels quite free that she's done something quite free and different from her hair rather than conforming to what people think a royal might be like.'

Meanwhile the psychologist said it indicated she was in a 'very free state', saying: 'She looks, in these pictures, like she's having a lot of fun, her body looks very relaxed, she's not showing any signs of distress in her facial expressions. 

'Therefore, I'd assume she's living her best life and who cares what people think?'  

Nigel added: 'From an early age royals grow up surrounded by royal etiquette, rules and dress codes.

'Originally the word etiquette meant no more than the protocol at the court. They know that image is everything and it becomes second nature whether they want it or not.'  

'It seems that Princess Charlene is telling us that there has been a major development in her life that has shorn away Monegasque etiquette. Soon we will no doubt hear more.' 

The royal showed off her bold new look as she joined her husband Prince Albert, 60, and their six-year-old son Jacques to hand out Christmas presents in Monaco.    

The mother-of-two, who shares son Jacques and daughter Gabriella with Prince Albert, has spoken of her 'loneliness' in Monaco on several occasions 

The mother-of-two's new style features 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.

Speaking about the new look to FEMAIL, Brad Allen, owner of JellyFish LOS in Southend on Sea, said the 42-year-old's style was 'too harsh' and 'didn't suit her'.

The stylist, who also works as a senior educator for celebrity hair dye brand Color Wow, added he understood why people want a new look after lockdown, but advised against getting anything as drastic as the royal adding the cut was 'dreadful'.

'I'm in total shock by the 'transformation',' he said.

'I understand people may want to try something new after getting bored staring at the same cuts, colours, roots for months on end during lockdown.

'But it's not something I'd advise in such drastic measures'.

'Firstly it's a dreadful cut. It looks like one of her six-year old twins has done it. It doesn't suit her elfin face and delicate features at all. The colour is too harsh too. The dirty golden tones make her overall blonde look dull and unflattering.

'I really loved the simplicity of her former cut, and her ash blonde tones.

'I'm all for change and having fun with your locks but she's gone from elegant and classy to royal c*** up!'    

Although the former Olympic swimmer has often been spotted favouring shorter haircuts, her latest look marks one of her most daring styles in recent years. 

Charlene, who was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), represented South Africa in the 100 metre medley relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics - and retired from swimming in 2007. 

The royal has been dogged with rumours about her relationship with Prince Albert and royal life for years.    

The couple met at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo in 2000, announced their engagement in 2010.

Princess Charlene was said to have struck a 'deal' with the principality's playboy ruler to bear him a child after she tried to flee before their wedding in 2011.

Rumours of a rift and a 'pregnancy pact' erupted even before the couple married in a lavish state wedding.

Charlene was said to have bolted for Nice airport two days before they married after hearing Albert had had a third love-child during their relationship.

Monaco officials were said to have coaxed her back by brokering a deal between the Prince and his reluctant bride that she provide him with a legitimate heir.

After that she would be free to leave of her own free will, it was reported in July 2011.

One source said at the time: 'Charlene will provide an heir, then if things don't go well, she will receive a generous divorce settlement once she's served a decent amount of time.'  

Charlene called suggestions that she was reluctant to marry 'hilarious' on the Today show.

'Why would we go to all this effort, to have this fantastic couple of days, and have our most intimate and dearest friends come and join us, for us to be reluctant,' she said.

Her husband suggested the rumours might have been triggered by jealousy from people who 'did not like the fact that we were finally together and married.'

 He was apparently told on the day of his wedding that he would have to take a paternity test to determine whether he was the father of the third illegitimate child.

Charlene claimed the rumours were purely generated to sell magazines.

But she has spoken several times of her 'loneliness' in Monaco, saying in 2011: 'I only have two people I consider friends here.'

Before he met Charlene, Albert dated dozens of the world's most famous and beautiful women, including Angie Everhart, Brooke Shields, and supermodel Claudia Schiffer. He also battled persistent rumours he was gay.

A Monaco government spokesman insisted that once he met Charlene, Albert knew he had finally found the woman he wanted to provide an heir.

The spokesman told France's high society Point de Vue magazine: 'Charlene has beauty and style, and we are all praying that she will ensure the royal succession in our principality.

'Albert has never settled down in the past, but knows that the time is now right to produce the next ruler of Monaco.'

Just one year after their wedding, it was reported that Charlene was 'depressed' at her failure to provide her husband with a legitimate heir. 

Voici magazine said: 'Charlene has made the subject of pregnancy a taboo topic around the Royal palace.

'She might have a smile on her face at official functions, but inside she is stressed and frustrated. This subject is weighing more and more heavily on her shoulders.' 

Her pregnancy was announced in May 2014, and in December that year she gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and heir to the throne Prince Jacques. 

Most recently, the royal appeared alongside her husband and their children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques at Monaco's National Day 

The 42-year-old also joined her husband recently for a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of a deadly knife attack at Notre Dame basilica

In 2017, the Princess made an emotional return to Africa, where she spoke about how much the continent means to her.

'I am African and this is my heritage. It will always be. It’s in my heart and in my veins,' she told Eyewitness News.

'I can’t wait for them to come here. I can’t wait for them to be introduced to Africa.'

She told a local Johannesburg radio station in answer to how her day of the Princess passes: 'First of all, I'm a mum. 

'I have two children, and my day probably begins like any other mum's. When I wake up, it's 'the wheels on the bus go round and round.'

In an interview in 2019, she confessed she had had 'an incredibly painful' year, saying the 'past year has definitely hit me hard'.

The year saw her father undergo surgery in South Africa and two friends die within 10 days of each other.

The usually press-shy princess was surprisingly candid as she revealed that a lot of her sadness was down to being homesick, despite her brother Mike Wittstock and his family also living in Monaco.

Who are the Monaco royal family? 

Rainier III ruled Monaco for almost 56 years, making him one of the longest ruling monarchs in European history, and had three children with wife Grace Kelly -  Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie

Rainier III ruled Monaco for almost 56 years, making him one of the longest ruling monarchs in European history.

He was crucially responsible for the transformation of Monaco economy, shifting from its traditional casino base to its current status as a tax haven and cultural destination. 

The Prince also coordinated the substantial reforms of Monaco's constitution, which limited the powers of sovereign rule. He married American film star Grace Kelly in 1956, with generated global media attention.

They had three children, Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie.

Caroline served as first lady of Monaco until her brother married Charlene in 2011. She regularly attends important social events in Monaco, such as the National Day celebrations, the annual Rose Ball and the Red Cross Ball.

She married French banker Philippe Junot in 28 June 1978, before divorcing in 1980, before marrying Stefano Casiraghi, with whom she had three children Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi, Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi and Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi.

Stefano was killed in a speed boating accident in 1990, with Caroline going on to marry Prince Ernst August of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick in 1999, and have one daughter Princess Alexandra Charlotte Ulrike Maryam Virginia of Hanover.

Meanwhile Princess  Stéphanie has been a singer, swimwear designer and fashion model.

Tragically, on 13 September 1982, while returning home from their farm in Rocagel, France, Stéphanie and her mother had a car accident. Grace died the next day, on September 14, while Stéphanie sustained a fracture of a neck vertebra.

Caroline served as first lady of Monaco until her brother married Charlene in 2011 and regularly attends important events, such as the Rose Ball, with him 

Countess Beatrice Boromeo, Pierre Casiraghi, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco, French actress Carole Bouquet, Dimitri Rassam, Charlotte Casiraghi, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Andrea Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra of Hanover arrive for the 'Bal de la Rose' in 2019

She began a relationship with Daniel Ducruet with whom she had two children, Louis and Pauline. She gave birth to her third child Camille Gottlieb in 1992.  

Prince Albert II ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, on 6th April 2005. He is one of the wealthiest royals in the world, worth an estimated $1 billion.

He married former Olympic swimmer Charlene in 2011 and gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques in 2014

The children are often seen at royal events alongside Princess Charlene and Prince Albert, including on the balcony at Monaco's National Day celebrations on 19th November every year. 

Pictured: Princess Caroline of Hanover' son Pierre Casiraghi, from left, his wife Beatrice Borromeo, Princess Charlotte of Hanover, Andrea Casiraghi, right, and his wife Tatiana Casiraghi, second from right

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'I have the privilege of having this life, but I miss my family and my friends in South Africa and I'm often sad because I cannot always be there for them,' she explained. 

And speaking to French magazine Point de Vue, Charlene described herself as a very hands-on mother but confessed that her parenting duties are 'often exhausting…'

The mother-of-two rarely makes public appearances and almost never attends events without her husband Prince Albert.

This year, she has been snapped just a handful of times at official events including the Sainte Devote Ceremony in January and the inauguration of the new Casino square in Monte Carlo in July. 

Most recently, she posed alongside her husband at the 2020 Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health last month, before leading the royal family in the celebrations marking Monaco's National Day.

Zimbabwean-born Charlene is a committed philanthropist and often draws on her athletic connections to raise money for the Princess Charlene Foundation, which she established in her name in 2012. 

She recently organised and took part in the The Crossing Calvi Monaco Water Bike Challenge, which saw two teams of four internationally renowned athletes take turns to 'cycle' 180km from Calvi, in Corsica, to Monaco, to raise awareness and funds for her namesake foundation's activities.

The event will raise awareness of its programmes including 'Learn to Swim' and 'Water Safety', which have been implemented around the world. 

Despite her low-key royal profile, the mother-of-two often shares more candid and personal moments on her Instagram page. 

In recent months, Charlene has posted photographs of her children digging in the garden at Easter and even lapping up the rays on the beach this summer.