The Princess of Wales made her first official royal engagement since summer break on Thursday, September 4, 2025, debuting a dramatically lighter colored hairstyle during a visit to London’s Natural History Museum alongside Prince William.
Kate Middleton, 43, showcased what appears to be her lightest hair color transformation since joining the royal family, sporting long caramel-blonde locks that cascaded down to her mid-back. The princess, who has served as patron of the museum since 2013, wore her hair in loose waves with a side part during the outdoor engagement at the museum’s newly transformed gardens.
The royal couple toured the museum’s living laboratory gardens, where they met schoolchildren from Kender Primary School in New Cross, south London, and students from Manchester participating in biodiversity projects. The visit was part of the museum’s Urban Nature Movement and the National Education Nature Park program, which has engaged over 7,500 schools across the United Kingdom.
During the outing, unexpected rain interrupted the outdoor activities. Kate demonstrated her maternal instincts by sheltering students under her umbrella. According to witnesses, she told teachers: “Let them go in, let’s take them inside, it’s pouring.”
Speculation about Kate’s hair transformation began on August 24, 2025, when photographers captured her driving to church near Balmoral Castle in Scotland with Prince William and their three children. The images showed her hair appearing golden in the sunlight, marking a notable departure from her rich chestnut locks displayed during her Wimbledon Championships appearance on July 12 and 13, 2025.
The princess completed her museum look with a classic tweed blazer, crisp white shirt, and tailored dark trousers, paired with brown suede loafers. She accessorized with her Daniella Draper alphabet necklace, featuring the initials of her children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
Kate’s hair evolution has been gradual throughout the years. At her 2011 royal wedding, she had chestnut-colored hair. Between 2018 and 2019, she alternated between caramel and chocolate brown shades. During 2019 and 2020, the Princess began adding gold highlights, progressively lightening her signature brunette locks.
The transformation has generated significant online discussion, prompting Princess Diana’s former hairstylist Sam McKnight to defend Kate against criticism. McKnight expressed his dismay at negative comments, noting that a woman’s hair serves as armor, defense, and confidence. He emphasized the personal nature of hair choices for women, particularly those in the public eye.
This appearance marked the Princess of Wales’ return to official duties following her cancer treatment journey. Kate announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, completed chemotherapy treatment in September 2024, and declared herself in remission in January 2025. During a July 2025 hospital visit in Essex, she discussed the mental challenges of post-treatment recovery, describing the experience as a roller coaster.
The royal family spent their summer largely out of public view, with William and Kate taking their children on a holiday to Greece. The September 4 museum visit came one day after Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis returned to school for the new academic year.
The royal couple has announced plans to move into a new residence, the 328-year-old Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The Grade II-listed eight-bedroom Georgian property, valued at approximately £16 million, features period details including Venetian windows and marble fireplaces. The family seeks a fresh start in the secluded corner of the 4,800-acre Windsor estate.
Previous royal appearances have showcased Kate’s willingness to experiment with different hairstyles. In 2019, she debuted what stylists called a “bronde” look during another Natural History Museum visit, blending blonde and brunette tones. She has also tried curtain bangs, sunny highlights, and short layers throughout her royal tenure.
The princess has maintained her philanthropic commitment to hair-related causes, having anonymously donated seven inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust charity in 2017. The organization creates wigs from donated hair for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy or radiation treatments, demonstrating Kate’s continued support for cancer patients even before her own diagnosis.
