Princess Charlene of Monaco defends 'half-hawk' shaved haircut: 'It was my decision'

The royal, who debuted her buzzcut last month, acknowledged the hairdo 'provoked all kinds of comments'

Princess Charlene of Monaco debuts her shaved haircut on December 16, 2020 in Monaco. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends a Christmas gift distribution on December 16, 2020 in Monaco. Getty Images

The hairstyle is known as a 'halfhawk'. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco arrives at the Monaco cathedral to attend mass on November 19, 2020. Getty Images

Princess Charlene attends the Crossing Calvi Monaco Water Bike Challenge on September 12, 2020 in Calvi, France. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II of Monaco with their children, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, greet the crowd from the palace balcony during the Sainte Devote ceremony on January 27, 2020 in Monaco. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends a Christmas gift distribution at Monaco Palace on December 18, 2019 in Monaco. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Red Cross headquarters on November 15, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Christmas gift distribution on November 17, 2018 in Monte-Carlo. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the 69th Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala on July 28, 2017 in Monte-Carlo. Getty Images

Princess Charlene Of Monaco attends the annual Christmas gift distribution at Monaco Palace on December 14, 2016 in Monaco. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the annual Christmas gift distribution on December 16, 2015 in Monaco. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Rose Ball on March 29, 2014 in Monte-Carlo. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Giorgio Armani show as part of Milan Fashion Week on February 25, 2014 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Monte-Carlo 36th International Circus Festival on January 24, 2012 in Monte-Carlo. Getty Images

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the religious ceremony of her royal wedding to Prince Albert II of Monaco in the main courtyard at the Prince's Palace on July 2, 2011 in Monaco. Getty Images

Charlene Wittstock attends the Amber Fashion Show and Auction on May 14, 2010 in Monte Carlo. Getty Images

It isn't the first haircut to cause headlines, and it won't be the last.

But Princess Charlene has responded to the debate caused by her buzzcut, debuted last month, acknowledging it "provoked all kinds of comments".

The Monaco royal, who is married to the country's Prince Albert II, stepped out with a new shaved hairdo in December at the palace's annual Christmas gift-giving ceremony.

With half her head shaved and the rest of her locks cut into a short bob, the cut is known as a 'half-hawk', given its close resemblance to the mohawk.

Scroll through the gallery above to look back at Princess Charlene of Monaco's hairstyles through the years.

At the time, the bold 'do divided commenters on social media, with many deeming the princess unrecognisable after ditching the fringed bob she had sported earlier in the year.

Princess Charlene, 42, this week told French magazine Point de Vue the haircut was "my decision".

"I wanted it for a long time. The style pleases me. That’s all," said the royal.

The former Olympic swimmer added that her husband, with whom she shares twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, likes her hair, "after the initial surprise wore off".

"Certainly, of all the members of royal families, I’m probably the one who has tried the most different hairstyles, and I’ll continue," said Princess Charlene. "That’s my choice. What counts is that Jacques and Gabriella adore seeing their mother with her new style."

The Zimbabwe-born princess acknowledged that her choice might not be considered the most typically royal of haircuts, but added the world has much bigger issues to worry about in the current climate.

"The remarks of ‘but what is she doing?’ and ‘but it’s not royal!’ – I know these all too well," Princess Charlene said. "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."

The royal, who represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, met Prince Albert II that year. The pair married in 2011 and welcomed their children in 2014.