In recent months, Kate Middleton has debuted a noticeably lighter shade of hair for the first time. After her bright blonde look drew widespread attention, the 43-year-old Princess of Wales is finally sharing what inspired the shift.

On Wednesday, Middleton appeared at the Royal Variety Performance in London, attending the event with Prince William.

While there, she spoke with actress Su Pollard, who was curious about the princess’s new hair color.

Pollard, 76, said she complimented the royal by telling her, “I like your hair, it looks a lot lighter,” according to the Daily Mail.

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

A First for the Princess of Wales

Back in September, Middleton stepped out with William, 43, at the Natural History Museum gardens in London, where she revealed her new honey-toned look.

It was the first time the princess had ever been seen wearing such a light shade on her long, thick hair.

However, just two days later, at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, her hair appeared noticeably darker once again — seemingly returning her to her classic brunette hue.

A Heartfelt Exchange With Jessie J

During the Royal Variety Performance this week, Middleton also shared a touching moment with singer Jessie J.

After the event, Jessie J, 37, explained that she and the princess were talking about their personal experiences with cancer.

According to The Independent, the singer — whose full name is Jessica Cornish — said, “Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug.”

She continued, “We acknowledged that it’s something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye.”

Jessie J shared her diagnosis of “early breast cancer” in June and later told fans that a successful surgery showed the cancer had not spread.

Princess Kate’s Cancer Journey

Princess Kate announced in March 2024 that she was undergoing cancer treatment. By September, she shared the positive news that she was cancer-free.

“I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she wrote on X at the time. “Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

She added that she was “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”

Wednesday’s Royal Variety Performance became the first time she and Prince William walked a red carpet together in two years.

Returning to Public Life

The Princess of Wales — who shares Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, with Prince William — officially returned to work in September 2024 after completing preventative chemotherapy.

In July, while visiting Colchester Hospital in Essex, she opened up about navigating life after treatment.

“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she said.

“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” she explained.

Middleton also shared words of encouragement.

“You have to find your new normal and that takes time…and it’s a roller coaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times.”