When the Princess of Wales stepped out yesterday with her new blonde post-holiday hair, the world took note.

Kate, 43, looked stunning as she joined her husband Prince William, also 43, on a visit to the Natural History Museum in London yesterday as they returned to duties after their summer break, which reportedly included a yacht trip to Greece.

Gone was the brunette colour usually favoured by Kate, and instead we saw newly blonde locks on display after spending a summer in the sun.

The princess appears to have coloured her hair a few shades lighter as her cascading tresses looked more blonde than ever before.

The public first caught a glimpse of the royal’s new hair-do towards the end of last month, when she was spotted on her way to Sunday church service in Balmoral. 

Yet, for the most part, Kate’s hair hasn’t changed all that much since she first met Prince William, with the bouncy blowout being her preferred style. 

However, Kate has had practice with fringes in the past (particularly when change is afoot) and seems to get them cut every few years.

Here, expert hairstylists take a look at how the mother-of-three has experimented with her hair over the years…

Catwalk Curls –  2002

When Kate sashayed down the catwalk at a St Andrews University charity fashion show on March 27, 2002, she styled her brunette locks in dramatic curls.

The look was so stunning that she caused Prince William, who was watching from a £200 front-row seat to remark, ‘Wow! Kate’s hot!’

At the after-show party, William, then 19, complimented Kate lavishly, and made a clumsy pass – either a kiss on the hand or ‘leaning in’ for an amorous ‘smacker’, by conflicting accounts.

Either way, the royal’s glamorous look that day is credited with kindling a royal romance.

In addition to the curls, Kate added a plaited piece of black-and-white ribbon on one side of her hair, making for an extra-chic look.

The then-university student opted to put her hair in a side-parting, as per her usual choice today.

While her flowing tresses were looking fabulous, it was perhaps Kate’s dress, designed by fashion student Charlotte Todd, that truly stole the show.

Charlotte previously said: ‘I made it as a skirt, but others pulled it up on Kate and she wore it as a dress. Maybe if it hadn’t been see-through, William might not have noticed her.’

Side-Swept Fringe – 2005

Back in June 2005, just after she first began dating William, Kate was pictured alongside William at her graduation ceremony at St. Andrews University.

Even before becoming a royal, she showcased her signature style – dark glossy, bouncy locks with a side-swept fringe.

The style frames the face, while also looking sophisticated when worn with a side parting as Kate did.

Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Barton said: ‘Kate was not yet involved with the royals at her graduation. She pulls off a relaxed casual blow-dry probably done by herself the day before. 

‘The side parting with a bit of lift through fringe ensures the hair looks full of vitality.’

William and Kate first met at the university as students and graduated on the same day in June, with Queen Elizabeth II among the audience.

Both achieved an upper second class degree, William in Geography and Kate in Art History.

After meeting in their first year, they even went on to live with each other and friends before graduating on June 23, 2005. 

YOUTHFUL LAYERS – 2006 

During her younger years, Kate embraced the carefree and youthful look, like many Sloanes of this age.

Her natural brunette locks were usually left loose, cascading past her shoulders in waves.

Celebrity hairstylist Dionne Smith said, ‘Her hair reflected everything that she encapsulated – a youthful, fun, modern woman’.

In terms of make-up during that period, Kate was also known for heavy eyeliner on her waterline, as well as her dark eyebrows that lacked the defined arch she now has.

If she wore foundation, she opted for one that had a very light coverage and she veered towards gloss or subtle pink lipstick.

‘Kate in her 20s is like all of us,’ said Alice Hare, the Daily Mail’s junior style editor of the royal’s previous look.

‘All of us go through that transition from student to working, but she went through something so much bigger – from nobody to one of the most photographed women in the world.

‘I think she did it with great ease and elegance,’ the fashion editor said.

Bottleneck Bangs – 2006 

Before becoming a princess, Kate experimented with her hairstyles in the early 2000s, including her grown-up fuller side fringe from June 2006.

Showcasing the perfect look for the summer, Kate debuted a shorter cut with what has often been dubbed the ‘bottleneck bangs’ to help frame her face. 

This style is laid-back and low-maintenance and is the go-to for those who want to soften the face.

Kate wore her hair in this style at the Bluebird opening in London and again with beachy waves for a day at the polo later in the month.

The royal put on a stunning summery display in a red dress for the charity match in Richmond.

Expert stylist Andrew commented: ‘Here, we see her experimenting with a fuller fringe which actually closes down her face shape and makes it look smaller. 

‘Again, we see Kate wearing a blow-dry with a big round brush – she knows her hair works well with some volume and bounce rather than super straight.’

Despite the royal suiting the bottleneck bangs, it wasn’t until years later that she bought this look back again.

Long Side Fringe – 2010 

In 2010, when Kate and Prince William stood side-by-side at St James Palace to announce their engagement, the soon-to-be bride kept her hair simple but still gorgeous. 

Kate went for her tried and tested bouncy blowout along with some longer side pieces and layers.

Sam Carpenter, the global educator for EIDEAL, explained how Kate’s glossy side-parting and bouncy blow-dry from the iconic engagement shoot would soon become her signature style in the years that followed.

He added: ‘Though a more polished version, this iteration of a side fringe pays homage to her graduation photo, where she was publicly accepted as the then-Prince William’s girlfriend.’

Following eight years of dating, William and Kate delighted royal fans across the globe when they announced their engagement on November 16, 2010.

William had popped the question during a private holiday in Kenya the previous month, after requesting permission from Kate’s father, Michael.

William had, of course, presented his fiancee with a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, which was crafted by the London luxury jeweller Garrard. 

It was the very ring chosen by Lady Diana Spencer when she became engaged to Charles, then Prince of Wales.

Symmetrical Side Fringe – 2012

Emerging as a new fully-fledged member of the Royal Family, the then-Duchess of Cambridge opted for a change in her hairdo with a layered fringe just weeks before announcing they were expecting their first child, Prince George. 

Along with the new trim, Kate brightened up her hair with subtle highlights – giving an overall look that was chic and just different enough without being a huge change.

Hair expert Sam said: ‘By debuting a drastic new style Kate was able to distract the world’s attention ahead of a pregnancy announcement.’  

‘Also, worth noting a fringe is a nice addition to a hairstyle and can make you feel a little armoured up if you are feeling a little anxious or shy! Remember Kate was about to announce to most hotly anticipated pregnancy in decades,’ he added. 

Months after the announcement, Kate gave birth to Prince George at 4.24pm on July 22, 2013, weighing 8lb 6oz, at the same Paddington Hospital where his father was delivered 31 years earlier.

Within hours of Prince George Alexander Louis, Kateappeared on the steps of the Lindo Wing looking immaculately put-together to greet the world’s media camping outside.

The Princess of Wales – who was 31 at the time – radiated with happiness as she cuddled her newborn son and stood next to her proud husband William.

Honey-coloured highlights – 2013

In late 2013, Kate experimented with her hair and temporarily settled on a middle-parting.

The Princess also started to experiment with her hair colour, opting for honey-coloured highlights.

Celebrity hair stylist Dionne Smith said: ‘There was never a hair out of place, but it still looked youthful thanks to its vibrancy and volume.

‘It’s also the time we started to see Kate move from a side parting to a middle parting, following popular trends and fashion, as well as subtle caramel highlights which warmed up her face beautifully.

During her first decade in the firm, her make-up also became more refined, subtle and elegant.

Make-up artist Olivia Todd said previously: ‘She looks progressively more primped and preened and elegant in early marriage.

‘Her skin is nourished and radiant from beautiful skincare and her cheekbones, eyes, brows are subtly enhanced with careful placement of makeup to achieve a natural, yet polished look.’

The Mum Fringe – 2015

For her first royal engagement after the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015, Kate yet again decided to switch things up with her hair – cutting almost a curtain-like fringe.

Commenting on Kate’s different look, Sam said: ‘After the birth of Princess Charlotte, Kate debuted what she called her ‘mum fringe’. 

‘Similar to the Bottleneck bangs she had in 2005/6, it seemed she was a little uncertain about the style and quickly grew it out.’

Here, her hair appeared a bit sleeker and straighter than she normally wears it, sporting the shorter detail at the front, which adds detail to what is essentially one-length hair.

Charlotte was born at 8.34am at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, and quickly captured hearts across the country. 

In a statement released shortly after she was born, they said: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.’ 

‘The baby will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge,’ the palace said. 

The choice pleased many. Bookmakers had Charlotte down as the favourite for some time, along with names including Alice. 

Sweeping Fringe – 2020

Before news of the COVID-19 pandemic was yet to strike in 2020, Kate stepped out for the latest leg of her Irish tour with a brand new shorter haircut.

Hair expert Sam said: ‘Kate seems to understand that it is very flattering to have some shorter lengths to frame your face. 

‘In 2020, she showcased a sweeping fringe, which skimmed her cheekbones and framed her face but was not too heavy.

‘This is extremely flattering to women as they get older as it accentuates and softens the angles of the face.’

Commenting on the look, stylist Andrew Barton added: ‘Kate is quite experimental with her hair.

‘We see her hair dressed quite formally for special events and engagements but even then it still has a casualness to it which is fitting for her age.’

The pair agreed that elegance was key, and when Kate follows a style that works for her she maintains a youthful grace.

During the visit, Kate, accompanied by William, attended an event at the Museum of Literature in Dublin.

Curtain Winged Fringe – 2023

As she made a low-key solo appearance at the Stade de Marseille to cheer on England against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup, the Princess debuted her trademark thick brunette locks in a chic down-do.

Although she hadn’t made any drastic changes to her hairstyle, Princess Kate swapped the side parting she had favoured during royal engagements before her summer break for a centre part.

She also swapped straight-styled locks for perfect curls and sported a loose, ’70s-style fringe with a part in the middle.

Global educator Sam said: ‘Synonymous with ’70s beauty icon Farrah Fawcett, Kate had debuted a new curtain winged ‘Farrah fringe’, which is a wispier, softer take on bangs.   

‘This is a look that Kate often returns to when she wants to embrace a change but not resort to anything too drastic.’

He added: ‘The long layers mean it is incredibly versatile and it gives great shape to thick hair – you can still tie your hair back or you can wear it down. 

‘This layered style is also great for adding dimension to hair colour.’

Frankie Moody, who is a Senior Stylist at Jo Hansford Salons, explained, ‘Sometimes when people have long hair and it’s nice they don’t want to cut it shorter – so quite often they play around with shaping without committing to a proper haircut. 

Lighter Locks – 2025  

In recent weeks, Kate debuted a brand-new blonde look, her cascading tresses looking lighter than ever before as she was spotted on her way to church service in Balmoral in late August.

And, on Thursday, her lighter hair stole the show as she joined her husband, Prince William, on a visit to the Natural History Museum in London as they returned to duties after their summer break.

Her long blonde locks seemed to be lighter at the top of her head, and a bit darker towards the bottom, giving a bit of an ombré effect.

According to Lauren Paglionico, master colourist and founder of LRN Beauty in New York City, Autumn is always ‘the perfect time’ to show off a new hair colour, especially if you’re in the public eye.

‘There’s something about the seasonal shift that makes it feel like a natural moment for change,’ Paglionico explained exclusively to Daily Mail.

‘For some of these women, it’s possible they have something exciting on the horizon,’ she continued.

‘As for Kate, she’s been through a lot and I feel this is her way of reintroducing herself on her own terms,’ the stylist shared.

Although Paglionico admitted that typically, people like to dye their hair darker for the Autumn, she’s definitely been seeing ‘a shift’ this season.