Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, is gracefully embracing the arrival of autumn with a fresh and captivating change.
The 41-year-old royal paid a visit to HMP High Down prison in Surrey, England, on Tuesday, as the patron of The Forward Trust, leading the way for Addiction Awareness Week in the U.K. Her royal elegance shone through in a navy Alexander McQueen suit, making her presence felt just one day after the announcement that her wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton, was stepping down from the label’s creative director role. As she arrived at the event, Kate showcased her new haircut, featuring the intriguing addition of curtain bangs.
This delightful ‘do made its debut over the weekend during the Rugby World Cup 2023 Group Stage match between England and Argentina. Kate, who holds patronage with the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League, graced the event with her refreshed tresses, including subtle curtain bangs, face-framing layers, and a chic middle part. Her hair, though still adorned with bright highlights, sported a slightly darker hue compared to her summer look. During the rugby game, she flaunted a few soft curls, and she elevated her hairstyle for her recent engagement.
For her visit to the incarceration center on Tuesday, the Princess of Wales embraced a bouncier blowout adorned with more curls, accompanied by a bandage on her hand. During her time at HMP High Down, Kate delved deeper into the support systems in place for inmates and their families battling addiction. Her advocacy for addiction-related causes dates back to her marriage to Prince William in 2011 and has paved the way for her championing of mental health awareness, particularly among youth.
At HMP High Down, Kate had the opportunity to shadow the experience of a family visit, commencing with the requisite security procedures. She also learned about initiatives aimed at enhancing the visitation experience for children, with a particular focus on ensuring that High Down, a men’s prison housing around 1,100 inmates, offers a more positive environment, especially for young visitors.
For over a decade, Kate has been actively involved with addiction charities, gaining invaluable insights into the complexities of mental health. This experience has greatly influenced her efforts in early childhood development, as her office at Kensington Palace explained, emphasizing the significant impact of early experiences, before the age of five, on adult lives, resilience, and the ability to cope with adversity.
Kate’s autumnal transformation, featuring curtain bangs and a deeper hair color, marks a shift from her summer look. Over the summer months, she often opted for straight hair with a subtle side part, a practical choice for her busy schedule.
However, Kate has previously embraced bangs, with her latest addition in 2023 being the latest in a series of fringe styles she has sported over the years, including in 2015, 2012, and even during her 2005 graduation from St. Andrews University, where she first crossed paths with Prince William.
This pattern of a fall hair refresh seems to be an ongoing tradition for the Princess of Wales. In September 2022, she debuted shorter, layered tresses compared to her summer hairstyle, as she attended a preview day with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, at the Lambrook School. This event marked a significant milestone for the family as they relocated from London to Windsor, and the photos from the preview day were released to commemorate this special occasion.
In addition to her impeccable sense of style, Kate has also revealed her talent for hairstyling. During a 2021 video call with fellow parents, she humorously shared her experiences of taking on new roles during the pandemic, including one that her children were less than thrilled about: “I’ve become a hairdresser this lockdown, much to my children’s horror.”