Kate Middleton Opens Up About Her Blondest Hair Ever for First Time, Revealing Reason for New Look

Kate Middleton spoke about the secret to her lighter locks for the first time after her blonder hair color made headlines this fall.

On Nov. 19, the Princess of Wales, 43, attended the Royal Variety Performance with Prince William in London and told actress Su Pollard about what caused her lighter color.

According to the Daily Mail, Pollard said that she told the royal, “I like your hair, it looks a lot lighter.”

“It used to be brown, but it’s gone light in the sunshine,” Princess Kate reportedly replied.

The Princess of Wales reportedly revealed the detail during a backstage chat at the event, which marked William and Kate’s return to the red carpet for the first time in two years.

In September, the Princess of Wales sparked buzz when she returned to royal duty following a summer break with her blondest hair ever. It was Princess Kate’s most shocking hair transformation to date, as she had not deviated much from the glossy brunette shade that has been her signature since marrying William in 2011.

Kate’s hair also looked the longest ever at the Natural History Museum on Sept. 4, her first public appearance as a blonde, but the honey color didn’t last long.

On Sept. 6, just two days later, Princess Kate’s hair was a darker brown again at the Women’s Rugby World Cup match between England and Australia, but the half-updo hairstyle she wore made it difficult to discern the exact color.

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The following week, on Sept. 8, her appearance at The National Federation of Women’s Institute on the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth‘s death confirmed the glossy brown hue, a shade she’s stuck with since.