Princess Kate takes on U.K.’s “Three Peaks” challenge in 24 hours
Princess Kate scales Britain’s three highest peaks in 24 hours to raise funds for cancer charity while sharing a look into her personal journey.
Princess Kate is lightening things up for the end of summer.
The Princess of Wales, 44, showed off noticeably blonder hair during a family outing in Scotland on Aug. 23, swapping her signature brunette locks for a warmer, sun-kissed shade.
Kate debuted the lighter look while heading to a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk Church near Balmoral Castle, where the royal family traditionally spends part of the summer. She was photographed riding a car alongside husband Prince William, who was behind the wheel, and their three children, Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8.
Her hair, styled in loose waves beneath a brown pillbox hat, appeared several shades lighter than the rich brunette hue she has long been known for. The princess paired the summery hair with a white high-neck blouse, a brown tweed blazer and statement earrings.
The new shade continues a gradual shift toward lighter locks for Kate. She has incorporated blonde highlights into her hair in recent months, including during an appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier in August.
It’s also not the first time Kate’s hair has generated buzz for taking a blonde turn. The royal has gone blonde before, debuting a noticeably lighter shade during a September outing at London’s Natural History Museum with Prince William.
She also stepped out with an especially light look during a royal appearance at the Royal Variety Performance last November. At the time, Kate later attributed the change to spending time in the sun. She told actress Su Pollard that her hair “used to be brown, but it’s gone light in the sunshine,” according to the Daily Mail.
Kate and William were joined at the weekend church service by several members of the royal family, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as the royals gathered for their annual summer stay at Balmoral.
The outing comes nearly two months after Kate completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The cause was personal for Kate, who received cancer treatment at the Royal Marsden before announcing in January 2025 that she was in remission.