Prince Harry’s hair has sparked public discussion in recent years, especially following several high-profile appearances. The conversation took a sharper turn when his former hairstylist offered blunt advice: he should consider getting a hair transplant.
The topic gained traction after Harry appeared to poke fun at brother Prince William’s thinning hair in his memoir Spare. Speculation intensified when a promotional image from his work with corporate coaching company BetterUp was released—fans debated whether his hair had been altered, digitally enhanced, or if he had finally opted for a transplant.
However, recent candid photos suggest the 40-year-old Duke of Sussex has not undergone any hair restoration procedures. Even so, his former hairstylist has now spoken out, weighing in candidly on the state of Harry’s iconic ginger locks.
Harry’s former hairstylist has taken a swipe at his “thinning” locks (Credit: Cover Images)
What’s Happening with Prince Harry’s Hair?
Like many men around the world, Prince Harry appears to be experiencing hair thinning—a natural and common part of aging. He’s following a familiar pattern seen in his family, with both his brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles, also having dealt with hair loss.
Male pattern baldness can be influenced by genetics, hormones, or a combination of both. It typically results in a receding hairline and thinning on the crown or top of the head.
Recently, Prince Harry’s former hairstylist, Sam McKnight MBE, offered some candid advice regarding the Duke’s hair. McKnight, a renowned celebrity hairdresser who worked closely with Princess Diana, encouraged Harry to embrace the change and consider a clean-shaven look—just as his brother William has done.
Reflecting on the past, McKnight fondly recalled a time when both princes had “magnificent, thick, healthy crowning glories.”
Celebrity hairstylist tells Prince Harry he needs a hair transplant
In a cheeky but cutting post, Sam urged Prince Harry, 40, to accept his thinning locks and opt for a short haircut like his brother William.“It’s time, Harry! Many moons ago, when you and your brother were young boys, you both had the most magnificent, thick, healthy crowning glories, just like mum,” Sam wrote.
If I were your age, I’d go for a transplant – so much more natural these days.
Sam McKnight, Prince Harry’s former hairstylist and long-time royal hairdresser, reminisced about the days spent trimming and shaping the thick, youthful hair of the young princes—but admitted, with a touch of humor, that those days are firmly in the past.
“Just like myself,” Sam quipped, “the lush hedging is no more – a mere wisp or two of its former self.”
Offering advice with a wink, he suggested that Prince Harry consider embracing a close shave, following in the footsteps of his brother, Prince William. But McKnight didn’t stop there—he cheekily floated the idea of a hair transplant to restore Harry’s signature ginger look.
“If I were your age, I’d go for a transplant – so much more natural these days, unlike the plug plants of yore,” he said.
Acknowledging that Harry now lives in California, McKnight noted he’s already in the right place: “No need for a quick EasyJet trip to Turkey! You’re in California, where they have the best!”
He ended his message with a lighthearted nod to Disney and a friendly nudge.
“So Harry, from one baldy to another, it’s time. As they say in Disneyland – ‘Let It Go’. Sent from your old hairdresser, Sam, with love, a wink and a smile.”
The Duke of Sussex’s hair loss has become more and more noticeable (Credit: Cover Images)
Harry’s Comments About Prince William’s ‘Thinning’ Hair
Prince Harry, much like his brother Prince William and their father King Charles, has been visibly battling hair loss for several years. In his controversial 2023 memoir Spare, Harry made headlines by poking fun at William’s baldness—calling it “alarming” and noting that it appeared “more advanced than mine.”
However, while joking at his brother’s expense, Harry himself has reportedly taken steps toward addressing his own thinning hair. In 2020, the Duke of Sussex was said to have visited the exclusive Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic in London’s upscale Mayfair district—a clinic renowned for offering hair thickening treatments to high-profile and ultra-wealthy clients.
“Harry’s visit caused a real stir,” a source told The Sun at the time. “This company is so prestigious. It’s one of the best places in the world.”
In contrast, Prince William has openly accepted his hair loss. Back in 2018, the Prince of Wales embraced a clean-shaven look by debuting a sharp No.1 buzz cut, confidently stepping into a bald-is-beautiful mindset.
Prince Harry mocked William’s ‘thinning hair’ in his memoir (Credit: Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press/Cover Images)
Why don’t the royals get hair transplants?
While there are no formal rules preventing royals from undergoing cosmetic treatments, tradition and public scrutiny likely play a role in their decisions. For many, it seems to come down to embracing aging naturally and feeling confident in their appearance. Whether or not to pursue a hair transplant is ultimately a personal choice—be it Prince Harry, Prince William, or anyone else.
Take King Charles as an example. His own experience with hair loss made headlines decades ago when he was still the Prince of Wales. The moment caused such a buzz that he personally approached the photographer behind the photo.
Arthur Edwards, the veteran royal photographer, recalled the iconic incident:
“I photographed him leaving a polo match in the late ’70s—maybe ’78 or ’79,” Edwards said. “He had this huge bald patch at the back of his head. He hadn’t bothered to comb over it because he was in a rush to get back to London.”
The image was published the next day as a prominent splash photo during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. The headline read: ‘Oops Charles, you’ve got a patch in your thatch’.
Just days later, at another polo match in Windsor, Edwards was approached by a police officer who said, “He wants to have a word with you.” Edwards recalled: “Prince Charles came over and asked, ‘Are you the person who took a picture of my bald spot?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir. Have you been getting a lot of stick about it?’”
When Charles asked how many people had seen it, Edwards replied, “Well, about seven million.”
“He said, ‘Oh my God, that’s why everywhere I go people are photographing the back of my head.’ He was actually quite cheerful about it—that was my first real conversation with him.”
