Kate Middleton and Prince William Coordinate During First Red Carpet Date Night in 2 Years
Kate Middleton is soaking up the sun.
That’s why the Princess of Wales said her signature brunette hair has been looking somewhat blonde in recent months.
“It used to be brown,” she told actress Su Pollard backstage at the Royal Variety Performance in London Nov. 19, per the Daily Mail, “but it’s gone light in the sunshine.”
Indeed, Kate’s chestnut-colored locks were a few shades lighter than usual when she and husband Prince William—with whom she shares kids Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—stepped out at the star-studded show.
There, the 43-year-old wore an emerald velvet dress by Talbot Runhof, while William, also 43, donned a black velvet tuxedo. The outing marked the royal couple’s first joint red carpet appearance in two years, as they had skipped the 2024 event amid Kate’s recovery from chemotherapy treatments following her cancer diagnosis.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” Kate shared in September 2024. “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus,” she continued at the time. “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.”
And since announcing her remission in January, Kate has been having fun with her hair, trying out different shades and styles as she resumed her public duties.
Chris Jackson/Getty Image; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
In August, she showed off a blonder ‘do during a family church service near her family’s summer residence of Balmoral in Scotland. Kate continued to embrace her honey-tinted locks in September, infusing more volume into her hair for a head-turning look during a visit to London’s Natural History Museum.
But that doesn’t mean Kate has forgotten her roots. After all, she started reverting back to her darker hair in the fall.
To see some of Kate’s best hair moments, keep reading…
Alberto Pezzali – WPA Pool/Getty Images
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.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Curtains for Kate
Fall was in the air in September 2023, with Kate getting into the mood with freshly cut curtain bangs and a brightly colored blazer reminiscent of autumn leaves.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
Bang Up Job
Kate debuted a more layered cut in September 2015.
Samir Hussein/WireImage; Arthur Edwards – Pool/Getty Images
Pin-Up Girl
The Princess of Wales knows how to work a twisted updo, that’s for sure!
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Crowd Pleaser
Her Wimbledon score card in 2014: Five funny faces, one perfect hairstyle.
James Whatling-Pool/Getty Images
Hair for an Heir
Even Prince George couldn’t keep his hands off his mum’s pretty locks in 2014.
Danny Lawson-WPA Pool/Getty Images
A Good Sport
No ponytail, no problem! Kate kept her perfect blowout while playing sports during her visit to the Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games Village in 2014.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Model Traveler
Hat’s off to the royal for mastering the art of hat hair, as seen here during a 2014 outing in Wellington, New Zealand.
Press Association via AP Images
After-Baby Blowout
Remember that time Kate’s hair almost upstaged the royal baby? Well, it happened. Sure, Prince George was cute, but her blowout one day after giving birth was nothing short of flawless.
Samir Hussein/Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
Woven Together
Arguably one of her best updos, Kate’s braided twist was the definition of elegance during an apparance at Royal Albert Hall in 2012.
REX USA/Tim Rooke/Rex
Flower Girl
Kate let her natural waves loose while in the South Pacific in 2012.
Danny Martindale/WireImage
The Dark Side
After a reported six hour visit to a London salon in 2013, the princess debuted a glossy chocolate hue that gave a new meaning to the term brunette beauty.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Quick Fix
Kate stepped out with polished waves during a Remembrance Day service in 2013.
Samir Hussein / WireImage
Red Carpet Ready
In 2011, this was as close to bedhead as Kate got.
Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images
How Retro
Kate tried out layers for a short while in November 2012.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
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.
Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images
“I Do” ‘Do
Disney princesses have nothing on Kate! Everything about the royal wedding in 2011 seemed straight out of a fairytale—even her tiara-adorned hairstyle.
DAVID CRUMP/AFP/GettyImages
Hat Hair
Kate made hat hair look good during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in June 2012.
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages
Best Tressed
The wind-blown look had never been so perfectly polished in October 2012.
James Whatling / Splash News
Time to Shine
You glow, girl! Kate;s mane was downright radiant during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in 2012.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Picture Perfect
If you weren’t already in love with Kate’s tresses, her hairstyle for the engagement announcement in 2010 probably sealed the deal.
The Middleton Family
Mane Squeeze
No stylist needed! Even before she was getting $800 haircuts, Kate’s locks were naturally gorgeous—as seen in this 2005 photo.
Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
Party Trick
While most of us might have flat strands or major frizz after a night out, Kate looked like she just left the salon in 2008.
Leave a comment