Kate Middleton just surprised everyone with a new look. The Princess of Wales stepped out with noticeably blonde hair during a family visit to Crathie Kirk, the royal family's go-to church near Balmoral Castle. She was spotted alongside Prince William and their three children on August 24.
It is a shift from the dark brunette shade people have associated with her since her early royal days. Back then, her glossy brown hair became part of her signature style. Now, almost twenty years later, Kate is trying something different.
The change has not gone unnoticed.
British psychologist Carolyn Mair, PHD, explained why hair transformations can mean more than just fashion. “Hair is our crowning glory and a symbol of health and femininity,” she told Fox News. She suggested that Kate might be wanting to feel “brighter and more energetic,” especially after her recent health struggles.
In March 2024, Kate Middleton revealed her cancer diagnosis and spent much of the year out of the spotlight. She later confirmed she was in remission after chemotherapy. Mair pointed out that hair can play a role in recovery, saying, “Kate might want to make a fresh start by embracing a lighter outlook on life.”
She also added that changing hair colour can be a way of reclaiming control. “She may be reclaiming agency and visibility, and leaving her illness behind.” Whether or not Kate experienced hair loss during treatment, Mair noted that going blonde could be her way of drawing attention back to it.
This is not the first time Kate Middleton has played with lighter shades.
In 2024, she leaned into honey-blonde tones, which gradually shifted to a brighter blonde by April this year. At Wimbledon in July, her golden highlights caught even more attention. And now, her latest outing shows she is fully committed to the lighter look.