Prince Harry Hair Loss: Speculations, Treatments, and Possible Transplant Options

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and beloved royal-turned-global humanitarian, has sparked global curiosity over his ever-evolving hairline. Several theories have speculated on his approach to managing male pattern baldness. 

While Harry’s candidness about mental health and royal life is well-known, his approach to hair loss remains private. Despite this, his transformation speaks volumes. While the Duke of Sussex has not yet confirmed surgical intervention, his journey offers insights into non-surgical treatments and hypothetical transplant options.  

Has Prince Harry Been Open About Hair Loss Treatments?

No, Prince Harry has not yet publicly addressed undergoing a hair transplant or any other hair loss treatment. 

Despite this, in 2020 reports surfaced of him visiting a clinic, allegedly London’s Philip Kingsley Clinic, for hair-thickening therapies. The source for the British tabloid newspaper, The Sun, reported that “Harry’s visit caused a real stir,” adding, “This company is so prestigious. It’s got a whole range of different treatment plans… The richest, most famous and well-connected use it.” While there’s been no official comment, the reports contributed to growing speculation around Harry’s approach to managing hair thinning.
These are still just speculations. Non-surgical solutions, such as the hair thickening treatment Prince Harry is thought to have tried, topical therapies or scalp regimens, are popular for early-stage hair retention.

Timing Of Prince Harry’s Hair Loss Progression

In 2016, at the age of 32, when he was on an official visit to Surama, Guyana, Prince Harry was seen to experience early signs of hair loss in his crown, as the hair appeared thin in this area. This region of hair loss is commonly caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone responsible for the genetic condition “androgenetic alopecia”, or male pattern baldness. Prince Harry is not alone in this affliction, as up to 25% of men begin to experience some form of hair loss by the age of 21.

Throughout his early 30s, Harry’s hair loss through photos has been seen to progress, with the hair loss in the crown becoming more pronounced over time. Prince Harry’s genetic hair loss presents itself with a balding spot in his crown and visible scalp.

Our Surgeons have assessed Prince Harry’s hair loss, giving him a score of 4 of 7 on the Norwood Scale, which is a popular tool used to grade the stages of male pattern hair loss (picture below). 

Could Prince Harry Benefit From A Hair Transplant?

Despite allegedly opting for non-surgical treatments, Prince Harry remains a viable candidate for a hair transplant if ever looking for a more permanent hair loss solution. Surgical intervention could restore density, fullness and ease of styling in the crown and frontal zones.

The choice to have a hair transplant is a personal one. Many individuals can conceal hair loss well up until a certain tipping point, after which they may want to consider more permanent options like a hair transplant.  

In the public eye, appearance is important, and those under the spotlight often opt for surgery due to public image pressure, as visible hair loss can undermine on-screen confidence and career prospects.  

Hair transplant surgery is not only for the rich and famous, but rather for those struggling with their hair loss. Research shows that individuals with hair loss are likely to feel physically and socially less attractive, leading to low self-esteem in social scenarios.

How Many Grafts Will Prince Harry Need If Undergoing A Hair Transplant?

Our award-winning surgeons estimate that as part of a hair transplant, Prince Harry could need close to approximately 2500-4000 grafts transplanted into both the hairline and crown to fill the areas, with each graft producing 1-4 hairs. 

This type of crown balding and generalised hair thinning would require a minimum of 200 single hair grafts to be placed into the frontal hairline and blend seamlessly with existing strands to create a natural-looking appearance.

Check out our gallery section to find more examples of other 2000+ graft hair transplants, for similar areas like the hairline, temples and crown. 

The Treatment Rooms London Graft Calculator is also useful for seeing just how many grafts you might need to produce an aesthetic result.

What Type of Hair Transplant Can Prince Harry Have?

Follicular Unit Excision (FUE): FUE is a meticulous technique which removes individual hair follicular units from the back and sides of the head (also known as the safe donor area) to an area of recession, like the crown, hairline, and/or temples. In each follicular unit, also known as a ‘graft’, there are 1-4 hairs on average.

The hair that is relocated is resistant to the balding process, and when transplanted, grows unhindered and potentially permanently.

This FUE method has become highly popular due to its minimal scarring, natural-looking results, and shorter recovery time. Most public figures opt for this method, and particularly the unshaven FUE method (UFUE), as it allows them to get back on screen and resume public appearances soon after their hair restoration procedures.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): FUT, also known as the strip method, involves removing a small strip of scalp from the back of the head, from which hair follicles are then extracted and transplanted to the desired areas.

This technique can yield a high number of grafts in one session, making it beneficial for individuals with extensive hair loss, such as Prince Harry (and other public figures like Elton John, James Nesbitt, and Wayne Rooney). However, FUT does leave a linear scar at the donor site, which is one reason high-profile clients often prefer FUE for less visible scarring.

These are techniques which are routinely performed at The Treatment Rooms London, where minimising the areas of shave can allow for a seamless recovery back to normal life with minimal evidence that a hair transplant procedure was performed.

Non-Surgical Alternatives: What Prince Harry Might Have Tried

1. Topical treatments: Minoxidil or Topical Finasteride can be applied directly to the scalp to stimulate growth. 
2. Oral medications: Finasteride to block DHT, or oral Minoxidil. 
3. Scalp therapies: Philip Kingsley’s hair care and clinical treatment products for thickening.  
4. Camouflage: Fibers or concealers for public appearances.  

While these treatments may slow hair loss progression, a transplant offers a more permanent solution.  

Choosing a Surgeon-Led Clinic Matters

While a hair transplant is relatively risk free and straightforward, having the surgical procedure done well and in a natural-looking way requires the surgical skills and artistry of experienced surgeons and a highly trained professional team of experts.

The overall design of the hairline must be conservative and age-appropriate, making for natural-looking hair growth. Further steps must also be taken to ensure that the newly transplanted hair will look natural at the microscopic level. Single hair grafts should be placed at the very front of the hairline, making it appear soft and fluffy, in keeping with a natural hairline. When surgery is done poorly, larger grafts are often placed in the frontal hairline, leaving that person with a plug-like, harsh hairline like the machine hair sewn onto a doll.

Another sign of a premium hair transplant is the close attention to natural hair directions. It is not uncommon to see hair transplants where grafts stand up vertically, leaving a very unnatural appearance. 

Natural-looking angulation suggests that any work done would have used precision equipment to accurately control graft angulation. An example of such equipment is the use of implanter pens, a technique our Surgeons specialise in. 

At The Treatment Rooms London we have mastered the medicine, artistry and the surgical skills required for quality hair restoration surgery. We offer our patients world-class care before, during, and after their procedure. Our skilled surgeons pay keen attention to factors such as hair texture, curl pattern, and natural hairline progression to create a seamless transition from existing hair to transplanted areas.It is important when considering surgery to select a reputable, surgeon-led clinic. Top-tier clinics like The Treatment Rooms provide and prioritise personalised assessments, employ a highly skilled medical-surgical team, and utilise cutting-edge technology to ensure precise, natural-looking results.

Prince Harry’s Hair Loss FAQs

Did Prince Harry Get a Hair Transplant?

Prince Harry has not yet confirmed or commented on undergoing a hair transplant. However, his visible crown thinning and frontal recession (classified as Norwood IV) have fueled speculation. Reports suggest he opted for non-surgical treatments, including a 2020 visit to London’s Philip Kingsley Clinic for hair-thickening therapies.  

What Does Prince Harry’s Hair Look Like Before and After?

In his early 20s, Prince Harry had thicker, ginger hair with minimal recession (Norwood 2 to 3). By his mid-30s, crown thinning and frontal loss became more pronounced (Norwood 4 to 5), and more so under direct lighting, which tends to reveal density loss more clearly. While no dramatic “after” transformation exists, he styles his hair shorter to mask thinning, with no visible FUE/FUT scarring.  

Why Do People Think Prince Harry Had Hair Loss Treatments?

Public scrutiny of his accelerated hair loss, coupled with his 2020 clinic visit, sparked theories about non-surgical interventions. Unlike transplants, thickening treatments subtly enhance density without actual surgical restoration of his receding hairline.  

What Is Prince Harry’s Current Hairstyle?

He maintains a short, cropped style to minimise the appearance of thinning.

Interested in More Celebrity Hair Transplant Journeys?

If you found exploring Prince Harry’s hair transformation interesting, you might also enjoy reading about other well-known figures who’ve undergone hair restoration procedures:

• Elton John and His Hair Transplant Journey
• Daniel Craig Hair Transplant: Before, After and His Hairline
• Rob Brydon Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline
• What Type Of Hair Transplant Has Steve Carell Had?
• Elon Musk Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline
• Gordon Ramsay Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline