Princess Catherine’s new blonde locks have stunned royal watchers during her return to royal duties with her husband following their summer break.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, stepped out on Thursday to visit the Natural History Museum’s newly transformed gardens in London.
Kate, who donned a glow after spending a summer in the sun, studied art history at university and has been a patron of the museum since 2013.
The couple met with and posed for photos with the museum’s officials, with Prince William also displaying lightly tanned skin after the summer.
Kate was all smiles, her hair noticeably a few shades lighter, following the Wales’ traditional break, which this year reportedly included sailing around Kefalonia and the surrounding Greek islands on their superyacht.
Catherine styled her dyed, long, summery locks in loose waves.
She complemented the golden shade with a moss-coloured, fitted Ralph Lauren tweed ‘Hacket’ blazer, a white Boyfriend Shirt from British fashion house With Nothing Underneath, tailored trousers, and tassel loafers.
The princess accessorised her stylish back-to-work look with a £495 Daniella Draper alphabet necklace, adorned with the initials of her three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, as well as £850 Kiki McDonough pear drop earrings, rounded out her ensemble.
The public flocked to social media to praise Catherine’s transformation. “The Princess of Wales looks beautiful,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“Catherine looks prettier and healthier every day!” another person said.
“You look amazing Catherine, the new hair suits you,” a third person said.
Another person dubbed Kate “Princess Barbie”, adding “, can’t wait for Barbie Queen,” while another person said, “stunning as always”.
Other people speculated Kate’s hair may have been a wig after she was diagnosed with cancer in January 2024, for which she is now in remission.
“Light blonde wig, more like,” one person said.
“Catherine doesn’t need a wig. She’s always had gorgeous hair!” another person said.
It’s understood Kate’s long-time hairdresser Richard Ward is behind her new look, with royal stylist Amanda Cook Tucker overseeing her signature blowouts.
The prince and princess could not escape a light downpour for their first official joint engagement in months, with Kate whipping out her umbrella.
She still flashed her megawatt smile as the summer shower continued while the royals met children taking part in the museum’s programmes, aimed at connecting with nature and boosting biodiversity in urban areas.
School children from Lewisham and students from Manchester looked delighted to be in the princess’s presence while immersed in learning.
Amid the rain, Kate held up her umbrella over some of the children and told their teachers, “Let them go in, let’s take them inside, it’s pouring.”
The engagement marks Catherine’s public duty since she made her annual appearance at the Wimbledon tennis championships in July.
At the major event, the mother-of-three’s hair was a rich brunette shade.
The princess was greeted with a standing ovation as she walked toward her seat in the Royal Box on Centre Court to spectate the women’s final.