Kate Middleton has unveiled her new blonde look as she steps back into royal duties.

On September 4, the Princess of Wales, 43, joined Prince William, also 43, for a visit to the newly redesigned gardens at London’s Natural History Museum — their first joint appearance after the summer break.

After weeks of speculation about a lighter hair shade during an August sighting, this outing confirmed Kate’s sun-kissed highlights. Her hair, which now falls to the middle of her back, is the longest and blondest it has ever been. She styled it loose with her signature bouncy blowout and a soft side part.

A Subtle Transformation

Rumors about the color change first started on August 24, when cameras caught the Princess driving to church near Balmoral Castle in Scotland with Prince William and their three children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. Her hair appeared golden in the sunlight, a clear contrast to the richer chestnut shade she wore in July at the Wimbledon Championships.

Over the years, Kate has often refreshed her look. She has tried short layers, curtain bangs, and sunny highlights, and in 2017, she even quietly donated seven inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy or radiation.