Kate Middleton Debuts Another Hair Transformation Just Days After Going Blonde

On the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death on September 8, 2022, Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance alongside her husband Prince William to a local Women’s Institute, an organization that People called “a beloved part of Queen Elizabeth’s life.”

While William was expected to attend the engagement, Kate coming along with him was an unplanned surprise. The couple visited the Women’s Institute in Sunningdale, Berkshire, near their Windsor home, Adelaide Cottage. The late Queen—who died at 96 years old—was an “enthusiastic member” of WI—the U.K.’s largest women’s group—for 80 years, People reported, and served as its president from 2003 until her death in 2022.

For the appearance, Kate wore a new Alessandra Rich gray plaid midi dress with an oversized pilgrim collar, puffed sleeves, and pearl buttons, per Marie Claire. The Princess of Wales wore gray pumps and a pair of Kiki McDonough white topaz and diamond stud earrings to complete the look.

During the visit on Monday, the Prince and Princess of Wales heard about the work WI does while also hearing members’ stories of his late grandmother. Kate—whose hair at a September 4 engagement at the Natural History Museum was as blonde and as long as it had ever been—seemed to be back to her brunette roots for the unexpected appearance. Where the future queen’s hair was noticeably different on Thursday, when she attended a game in support of the Women’s Rugby World Cup on September 6, it seemed darker, though it was worn in a pulled back style that made it difficult to fully tell. The Princess of Wales wore her hair down on Monday, and it seems clear—she’s not blonde anymore.

It’s impossible not to wonder if backlash about her hair didn’t cause Kate to make a change. The online commentary provoked Princess Diana’s former hairstylist Sam McKnight—who worked with the Princess of Wales from 1990 until her death in 1997—to speak out forcefully on social media.

“I am shocked, horrified, dismayed, and disgusted by all the nasty comments about the Princess of Wales today,” he wrote on September 4. “A woman’s hair is very personal to her, it’s armour, defence, confidence, and so much more.”

“I cannot believe how evil and lacking in any kind of empathy are the comments, the majority made apparently by other women, attacking a vulnerable other young woman, who has no choice, by dint of who she married, and the role she took on, to bravely face the public,” McKnight added. “I’m sure she would rather be away from the public arena. She has brilliantly and quietly, unselfishly represented our country, the soft power we still have as a nation. Cancer affects individuals differently, but is life-changing for everyone.”

“So FFS LEAVE HER ALONE,” he continued. “SHAME ON YOU.”

William and Kate’s outing comes on the same day that Prince Harry is expected to appear for the first time during his most recent visit to the U.K., which is expected to last four days—the longest he’s stayed in his home country since the Queen’s death three years ago. To mark her passing, the Royal Family Instagram account shared a beautiful photo of the late Queen in blue, and in a statement after her death, William reflected on his beloved grandmother, saying, “She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.”

“I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” the future king added. “While I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of the Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.”