The Princess of Wales, Catherine, was seen on Sunday traveling with her husband, Prince William, and their children—Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7)—on their way to church in Scotland. Photographs revealed that the 43-year-old princess had debuted noticeably lighter, blonde hair, marking a striking transformation.
The change in the Princess’s hair has been gradual over the year. She began adding subtle highlights earlier in 2025, gradually lightening them further last month before fully embracing her new, brighter look. While such transformations can sometimes be purely aesthetic, experts suggest that in Catherine’s case, it may symbolize something deeper.
British psychologist Caroline Mayer told Fox News that the change could reflect the Princess’s desire to feel “happier and more energetic.” Mayer explained: “Hair is a significant part of our identity—it’s our crown, a symbol of health and femininity. Perhaps she seeks a fresh start and a lighter, more carefree approach to life.”
The timing of this transformation is particularly meaningful, as the Princess of Wales has been recovering from her battle with cancer last year. She publicly revealed her diagnosis in March 2024 and announced in September of the same year that she had completed her treatments. The princess is now approaching the one-year anniversary of that milestone.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Words cannot express the relief I felt upon completing my chemotherapy treatments. My current focus is on doing everything I can to remain cancer-free. Though my treatments are behind me, the path to full recovery is long, and I’m taking it one day at a time. To all those still navigating their cancer journeys—I stand with you, hand in hand. From darkness, light can emerge, so let that light shine brightly.”
Mayer also noted that if the princess had experienced hair loss during her treatments, this transformation might symbolize reclaiming her appearance and leaving her illness behind. “It’s possible she chose to go blonde to make her hair stand out more, expressing a sense of renewal and ownership over her image,” Mayer added.
Renowned hairstylist Jennifer Korab recently told Marie Claire magazine: “The blend of brown and blonde tones is one of the strongest trends right now. It creates a soft, sun-kissed glow and natural brightness, perfect for the warmer months. It’s a low-maintenance style that exudes both sophistication and effortless modernity.” She also praised the princess’s transformation, calling it “stunning and flawlessly executed.”
The Princess of Wales is not the only member of her family to embrace a new look recently. Last month, her sister, Pippa Middleton, debuted a shorter haircut with lighter highlights. Even Princess Anne surprised royal watchers with subtle changes to her hairstyle in honor of her 75th birthday, after maintaining the same look for fifty years.