Prince Harry arrived at a London courthouse this week prepared for a legal fight against a major media company. However, public attention quickly shifted from his court case to his changing appearance. His hair became the unexpected focus of online discussion.
A Noticeable Change in Appearance
Just days before his court appearance, Meghan Markle shared a nostalgic social media post. She participated in a popular 2016 trend where people shared memories from ten years earlier. Her post included a black-and-white video showing her and Harry dancing in a grassy field. Another photo captured them hugging during an early date in Botswana.
In both images from Meghan's post, Prince Harry's ginger hair appeared full and thick. The couple left royal duties in 2020 and now reside in Montecito, California. These throwback pictures presented a stark contrast to Harry's look upon returning to the United Kingdom.
Social Media Reacts to the Difference
When Prince Harry appeared at the London courthouse on January 19, observers immediately noticed his hair. His ginger locks seemed significantly thinner, with a more receding hairline. Meanwhile, his beard appeared fuller than in the older photos.
This dramatic change sparked widespread commentary across social media platforms. Users quickly compared his current look with the images from Meghan's recent post. Many expressed surprise at the visible difference in such a short timeframe.
One social media user wrote, "Did Harry leave his hair in Montecito? Meghan's recent video shows him with plenty of hair, but in the UK today he looks alarmingly bald." The user suggested the throwback clip might be older than presented or joked about Harry forgetting his hair.
Another commenter questioned, "His toupee slipped off in the car?" Someone responded to this, noting the inconsistency in Harry's hair appearance between different appearances.
Comparisons to Prince William's Hair Loss
The online discussion took another turn as users recalled Prince Harry's previous comments about his brother's hair. In his 2023 memoir titled Spare, Harry described Prince William's hair loss as "alarming" and "more advanced than mine." He also remarked that William's resemblance to their mother, Princess Diana, had faded.
Social media users referenced these past statements while commenting on Harry's current appearance. One person noted, "If he hadn't mocked William's hair loss, most people wouldn't even comment." Another asked what term Harry would use to describe his own hair situation now.
The online conversation highlighted how quickly public figures' appearances can become talking points. While Prince Harry came to London for serious legal proceedings, his physical transformation captured significant attention. This episode demonstrates how social media often focuses on personal details alongside substantive news events.
The contrast between Harry's appearance in Meghan's nostalgic post and his current look continues to generate discussion. It shows how public perception can shift rapidly based on visual cues and past statements. The attention to his hair momentarily overshadowed the purpose of his UK visit, which involved legal action against Associated Newspapers.
