After Kate Middleton stepped out with her lightest hair color yet, she quickly found herself the subject of mixed opinions.

The 43-year-old Princess of Wales unveiled a caramel blonde hairstyle during an official visit to the Natural History Museum gardens in London on September 4, alongside Prince William.

Wearing her hair in soft waves, Kate paired her new look with a neutral tweed blazer, white shirt, black trousers, and flat shoes.

This wasn’t the first hint of a change—she had first revealed lighter locks in late August during a church service near Balmoral. Over the past year, the princess has been gradually moving away from her signature brunette shade.

Even her sister, Pippa Middleton, opted for a fresh style this summer, while Princess Anne surprised royal fans by debuting a new look for the first time in decades.

Sam McKnight Defends Kate Against Critics

While the change brought plenty of compliments, it also drew criticism online. Sam McKnight, the celebrated hairstylist who worked closely with Princess Diana until her death in 1997, was quick to defend Kate.