Overview

• On September 8 in Sunningdale, the Princess of Wales appeared with her signature brown hair during a Women’s Institute visit marking three years since Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
• The reversion followed a September 4 Natural History Museum appearance showcasing honey-blonde highlights, with a noticeably darker tone already seen at the September 6 rugby match in Brighton.
• Kensington Palace has denied claims that the lighter look involved wigs or hair extensions, pushing back on widespread online speculation.
• Stylist Sam McKnight condemned the hostile commentary in an Instagram statement, describing hair as deeply personal and urging critics to stop.
• TV host Susanna Reid defended the blonder style on Lorraine, noting lighter tones can flatter with age, as stylists and commentators debated the change and many urged empathy.