Princess Kate has returned to her signature brunette hair color just days after debuting a dramatic blonde transformation during a royal outing with Prince William on September 4, 2025.
The Princess of Wales first showcased her honey blonde locks during a visit to the Natural History Museum in London with Prince William, marking their first joint royal engagement following their summer break. The transformation represented her most dramatic hair change to date, featuring the lightest and longest style she had ever worn.
Speculation about Kate’s hair color change began on August 24, 2025, when photographers captured her driving to church near Balmoral Castle in Scotland with Prince William and their three children. Her hair appeared golden in the sunlight during that outing, contrasting sharply with the rich chestnut color she displayed at the Wimbledon Championships on July 12 and 13.
However, the blonde look proved short-lived. By September 6, 2025, Kate appeared at the Women’s Rugby World Cup match between England and Australia at the American Express Stadium in East Sussex with notably darker hair pulled back in a half-ponytail style.
The Princess confirmed her return to brunette on September 8, 2025, during a surprise appearance with Prince William at The National Federation of Women’s Institute in Sunningdale, England. The visit commemorated the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death, and Kate wore her hair down in loose curls with a brunette hue accented by highlights.
For the Women’s Institute visit, Kate wore a gray plaid Alessandra Rich midi dress featuring an oversized pilgrim collar, puffed sleeves and pearl buttons. She paired the autumn-themed outfit with gray pumps and Kiki McDonough white topaz and diamond stud earrings.
The blonde transformation had generated significant online commentary, prompting Princess Diana’s former hairstylist Sam McKnight to defend Kate against critics. McKnight expressed that he was “shocked, horrified, dismayed, and disgusted by all the nasty comments” about the Princess of Wales.
McKnight emphasized that a woman’s hair is deeply personal, describing it as armor, defense and confidence. He also referenced Kate’s recent cancer battle, noting that cancer affects individuals differently but remains life-changing for everyone.
The Princess of Wales has undergone a significant health journey over the past year. She underwent planned abdominal surgery in January 2024, followed by a cancer diagnosis announcement in March 2024. Kate completed her chemotherapy treatment in September 2024 and announced in January 2025 that her cancer was in remission.
During a July 2025 hospital visit in Essex, Kate spoke candidly with patients about her cancer experience. She described the post-treatment period as particularly challenging, explaining that while people put on a brave face during treatment, the phase afterward proves difficult as patients must find their new normal.
Royal hairstylist Neville Tucker had predicted that Kate’s blonde transformation would spark a trend, suggesting more people would request honey-toned highlights. He noted that her previous chestnut brunette shade had been considered fashionable and trendsetting among the public.
Kate has experimented with various hair colors and styles throughout her years as a royal family member. She has previously tried short layers, sunny highlights and curtain bangs. In 2017, she anonymously donated seven inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust charity, which creates wigs for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
The Women’s Institute holds special significance for the royal family, as Queen Elizabeth served as an enthusiastic member for 80 years and as president from 2003 until her death in 2022. The Sunningdale location is particularly relevant for William and Kate, as they plan to relocate with their three children to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park later this year, just 10 minutes from the Women’s Institute meeting place.
The move represents a fresh start for the family following Kate’s cancer battle. The Georgian residence, valued at approximately $20 million, features eight bedrooms and sits in a secluded corner of the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park.
Sources:
https://www.today.com/popculture/kate-middleton-brings-back-brunette-hair-rcna229540
https://www.instyle.com/kate-middleton-hair-transformation-brunette-again-11805201
https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/kate-middleton-new-plaid-dress-fall-trend-brunette/
https://pagesix.com/2025/09/06/style/kate-middleton-seemingly-brunette-again-after-blond-makeover/
https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/royal-family/kate-middleton-new-blonde-hair-prince-william-museum-b2820608.html
