Princess Charlene of Monaco has shocked royal fans with her new hairdo, a half-shaved buzz cut style with dark lowlights.
The 42-year-old, usually known for her blonde bouncy bob cut, debuted the new punk-like hairstyle while handing out Christmas presents at Monaco Palace with her husband Prince Albert, 60, and their son Jacques, six.
She finished the new look with a sequined face mask and dark eye makeup.
The mother of two's hair surprised onlookers and according to the Daily Mail, received a raft of criticism with some hair stylists claiming it looked like her six-year-old twins were the ones behind it.
But some have praised the look saying it's a representation of her confidence and that she is not afraid to be different.
Other experts claim it could be a signal she is distancing herself from royal life in an act of rebellion after years of "loneliness" and rumours of Prince Albert's infidelity.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, psychologist Dr Becky Spelman suggested Princess Charlene's new "liberating" look could signal she wasn't "waiting for permission" in her life anymore.
"It really shows that Princess Charlene doesn't mind what people think," Spelman said, adding that in the photos she looks relaxed and happy.
"She probably feels quite free that she's done something free and different from her hair rather than conforming to what people think a royal might be like."
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert met at a swim meet in Monte Carlo in 2000. Princess Charlene represented her home country of South Africa in swimming at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Their relationship wasn't made public until 2006 and they were married in 2011, before having twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jaques in 2014.
Princess Charlene is seen as a royal style icon, her fashion choices often compared with the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge.
According to news.com.au, Prince Andrew has recently spoken publicly about his struggles with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive in March.
"Immediately after my quarantine, I felt better, but I still didn't feel quite right," he said, revealing he still deals with bouts of fatigue months later.
