Overview

• On Sept. 4, the Princess of Wales appeared with Prince William at the museum’s newly transformed gardens for their first joint engagement since the summer break.
• She took part in pond-dipping and classroom activities with schoolchildren, with a sudden downpour prompting her to shield pupils under her umbrella and direct teachers to move them inside, witnesses said.
• The appearance confirmed late‑August speculation from a Balmoral church sighting that her hair had lightened, with multiple outlets calling it her blondest and longest look in years.
• As the museum’s patron since 2013, she highlighted the National Education Nature Park/Urban Nature Project, commissioned by the Department for Education and led with the RHS, which has engaged more than 7,500 schools.
• Coverage placed the style refresh within her gradual public comeback following chemotherapy and remission, with social media reaction largely favorable alongside some unverified wig speculation.