Kate Middleton Shines with Lightened Tresses During Visit to Southport

Her Royal Highness exuded regal elegance during her visit to a school in the city alongside her husband. The couple were paying their respects to the young victims of a stabbing attack that took place at the school last year.

Kate Middleton debuted a subtle new hairdo during her visit to Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School in Southport, England, on Tuesday, September 23. The Princess was there to meet with the bereaved parents of a young student who was tragically killed on school grounds.

For the outing, Kate wore a long tailored charcoal-gray coat layered over matching wide-leg trousers. Underneath, she paired the look with a light pink pussy-bow blouse, adding a soft pop of color against the darker tones.

She accessorized with a structured gray handbag and classic pointed-toe heels in a coordinating shade. She also wore her rich chestnut-brown hair down, styled in loose waves, with lighter golden-brown highlights that caught the light.

The Princess of Wales has been experimenting with lighter hair shades recently, breaking away from her darker natural brunette tresses — and the change has been well received.

In Southport on Tuesday, she was joined by her husband, Prince William, where she privately met with the parents of Elsie Dot Stancombe, one of three victims whose lives were taken when Axel Rudakubana carried out a stabbing rampage at the school, injuring eight other children.

The attack occurred in June 2024, and Rudakubana was sentenced in January to a minimum of 52 years in prison. Kate and William had previously visited Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, shortly after the incident to offer ongoing support to the families affected by the tragedy.