Leave it to Kate Middleton to highlight when there’s change ahead.
First she debuted honey-blonde waves in July amid the departure of her longtime assistant and de facto stylist Natasha “Tash” Archer. And then the Princess of Wales’ hair looked even lighter when she was photographed on her way to an Aug. 24 church service in Scotland with Prince William and their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
While there’s zero reason to think this hair transformation will precede a pregnancy announcement—conspiracy theorists keeping a close watch on Kate’s signature flowing locks have noted in the past that head-turning hair updates can be a useful distraction from bump watch—the future queen does have a history of tweaking her style as the seasons change.
While the barometer is proving that fall isn’t quite here yet, the next term at Lambrook School in Berkshire—where Kate and William’s children have one more year all together before 12-year-old George graduates from Grade 8—begins Sept. 3.
The Wales family is also gearing up for a big move, from Adelaide Cottage—the modest-by-royal-standards four-bedroom house they’ve called home for three years—to the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor.
So, there’s lots of change afoot, and—while she really went for it in 2023 by kicking off the fall season with freshly cut bangs—why not simultaneously embrace summer and signal the start of a new era with sunny highlights?
Moreover, Kate is still in the process of resuming a fuller schedule of public duties after spending half of 2024 out of the spotlight—in the flesh, that is, as being out of sight did not mean being out of mind—while she underwent treatment for cancer.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus,” Kate said in a September 2024 video. “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
In January, the 43-year-old shared that she’s in remission and adjusting to her “new normal.”
“I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead,” she wrote on X. “There is much to look forward to.”
Including, as it turned out, visits from her hairstylist. And we all know that a glow-up can be a mood booster.
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment,” Kate said during a visit to an Essex hospital in July, per video shot by the BBC. “Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal again.’ But actually the phase afterwards is really difficult. You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.”
Even once she was through with treatment, she noted, “It’s not one smooth plane, which you expect it to be. But the reality is it’s not. You go through hard times.”
While her own health battle meant the fall of 2024 was for healing and a return to routine, Kate also demurely skipped having a big hair moment in the fall of 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Because Kate simply knows that her hair is a really big deal to royal watchers—as is Princess Anne‘s, whose slightly altered style for her 75th birthday portrait spoke volumes—and she’s not one to purposely distract from more important matters at hand.
“She doesn’t do drama and she never has,” royal biographer Katie Nicholl told OK! in January 2023. “She’s leading by example and putting duty before herself.”
But sometimes girls just want to have fun, and emerging with blonder locks at a low-stakes time this summer, before the weather cools and her schedule heats up, is Kate taking a much-deserved moment for herself.
Read on for more of Kate’s most memorable hair moments through the years:
Lighten Up
Kate Middleton served up honey-blonde highlights along with the hospitality when she and Prince William welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron to Windsor Castle in July 2025.
Curtains for Kate
Fall was in the air in September 2023, Kate getting into the mood with freshly cut curtain bangs and a brightly colored blazer reminiscent of autumn leaves.
Bang Up Job
Kate debuted a more layered cut in September 2015.
Pin-Up Girl
The Duchess knows how to work a twisted updo, that’s for sure!
Crowd Pleaser
Her Wimbledon score card in 2014: Five funny faces, one perfect hairstyle.
Hair for an Heir
Even Prince George couldn’t keep his hands off his mum’s pretty locks.
A Good Sport
No ponytail, no problem! Kate can keep up her perfect blowout while playing sports.
Model Traveler
Once again Middleton shows she has mastered the art of hat hair.
After-Baby Blowout
Remember that time Kate’s hair almost upstaged the royal baby? Well, it happened. Sure, Prince George was cute, but one day after giving birth, the Duchess’ blowout was nothing short of flawless.
Woven Together
No doubt future brides everywhere are still saving this look on their wedding Pinterest boards. Arguably her best updo so far, Kate’s braided twist was the definition of elegance.
Flower Girl
No fair, even her vacation hair is lovely! Prince William‘s wife let her natural waves loose while in the South Pacific.
The Dark Side
After a reported six hour visit to a London salon, Catherine debuted a glossy chocolate hue that gave a new meaning to the term brunette beauty.
Quick Fix
Last year she made headlines for twirling her curls around her finger. What? Can’t a gal fix a few flyaways?!
Red Carpet Ready
This is as close to bedhead as the royals get and it’s the perfect balance of messy chic.
How Retro
Ok, so she didn’t get bangs, but shel did try out layers for a short while.
Do the Twist
If plaits aren’t really your style, Kate’s still got you covered. She rocked this twisted version which was a close cousin to her braided ‘do.
“I Do” ‘Do
Disney Princesses have nothing on Kate! Everything about the royal wedding seemed straight out of a fairy tale even her tiara-adorned hairstyle.
Hat Hair
Not only has she mastered the half-up half-down style, but she even makes hat hair look good.
Best Tressed
The wind-blown look has never been so perfectly polished.
Time to Shine
You glow, girl! In the daylight, Middleton’s mane is downright radiant.
Picture Perfect
If you weren’t already in love with Kate’s tresses, her hairstyle for the engagement announcement probably sealed the deal.
Mane Squeeze
No stylist needed! Even before she was getting $800 haircuts Middleton’s locks were naturally gorgeous.
Party Trick
While most of us might have flat strands or major frizz after a night out, the Duchess of Cambridge looked like she just left the salon.
