Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh Just Debuted a New Short Bob Haircut

The royals tend to be steadfast in their styling choices, with many of the senior royals sticking to their signature looks (sometimes subtly revamped) for decades. Which made it particularly exciting that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, debuted a surprise hair transformation today.

Rather than the long blonde locks that the Duchess has been sporting for well over a decade, today she turned up to the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival with a breezy, chin-length bob. The style featured some light layers for extra volume and sideswept bangs that offered an effortlessness to Sophie’s look for the day. The royal, who also serves as Honorary President of the sustainable farming initiative Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), brought a touch of laidback style to her ensemble with a nod toward the Western fashion trend.

Sophie wore a chambray peasant blouse with subtly puffed sleeves, a midi denim skirt with a front slit for added mobility, and a pair of saddle brown suede cowboy boots. She balanced the look with simple gold jewelry, including hoop earrings, a circular pendant necklace, and a chunky bangle.

Though this is the first time in quite a while we’ve seen Sophie opt for a shorter hairstyle, it’s not her first flirtation with the bob. Almost exactly 15 years ago, the duchess wore a similar style to a reception ahead of Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding—a look which itself was a longer version of the 90’s-era bob that was Sophie’s signature style when she first joined the royal family with her own wedding to Prince Edward in 1999.

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.