While celebrating her 14th wedding anniversary with Prince William on Tuesday, April 29, Kate Middleton unveiled a new hair transformation that is already setting the tone for spring 2025.
The Princess of Wales debuted a noticeably lighter hair shade during their two-day visit to Scotland. The timing of this change, along with the arrival of warmer weather and the couple’s milestone anniversary, seemed to suggest a deliberate refresh for the season and the special occasion.
When Middleton, 43, mingled with the locals on the island of Mull, her formerly brunette blowout appeared to have new honey blonde highlights that seamlessly blended with her darker roots.
The “bronde” shade was among the hair color trends predicted to dominate in 2025. As celebrity hairstylist and colorist Temur Hamilton exclusively told Us: “Going lighter with highlights is perfect for spring. Brunettes should opt for sun-kissed, light honey highlights that enhance a natural look without being too bright.”
Hamilton added: “Going too blonde can create too much contrast in the hair, but honey-colored highlights add the right amount of light to brunettes. This is a beautiful way to transition dark hair.”
Indeed, the subtle highlights gave Middleton a brighter look without a drastic color change, reflecting her desire for a summery vibe while maintaining her elegant and sophisticated aesthetic. This is also characteristic of her fashion approach, favoring effortless sophistication over fleeting trends.
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Naturally, the royal’s look above the neck also complemented her relaxed yet refined attire, pairing her “bronde” locks with a Holland Cooper brown herringbone blazer, a Boden linen chambray button-down shirt and a familiar pair of super-skinny Massimo Dutti pants.
She accessorized with sunglasses from the British label Finlay, specifically the Vivian style in the new colorway “Marble,” and her go-to See By Chloé combat boots — a practical yet polished choice for visiting a local farm alongside Prince William, 42, later in the day.
Adding personal touches to her ensemble, the Princess of Wales wore a Cartier watch, believed to be a gift from Prince William on their third wedding anniversary, along with two necklaces, including one that came adorned with charms representing the initials of their three children: George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 7.
The anniversary getaway provided the ideal backdrop for Middleton’s subtle style evolution. While the couple reportedly celebrated privately, the public debut of her highlights served as a visual marker of her graceful embrace of this new chapter following her recent cancer battle. (After undergoing chemotherapy last year, she announced she was in remission in January.)
Better yet, it gave royal watchers everywhere relatable and achievable inspiration for those seeking a seasonal hair refresh. If the enduring impact of “The Kate Effect” tells us anything, with the Princess of Wales’ endorsement, “bronde” is about to be an even bigger trend this spring than initially expected.
