Kate Middleton Looks Almost Unrecognizable With Bright Blonde Hair in Her Childhood Photo

Kate Middleton is known for her sophisticated chocolate-brown hair which has influenced women's haircuts for decades. The Princess of Wales having stepped into royal life, has barely changed her hairstyles in the last 14 years, other than the subtle bangs in 2023. As such a resurfaced childhood picture of Middleton with golden blonde hair, has taken the internet by storm.

The picture, which was posted by her father Michael Middleton prior to her fanciful royal wedding in 2011, shows a four-year-old Middleton in Jerash, Jordan, with dad and sister, Philippa Charlotte. The sentimental photo provided a rare look into the Princess' early years—a side of hers, which contrasts sharply with her present perfectly manicured royal look.

The Middleton sisters spent their early years in Jordan as their father was employed by British Airways at the time. Her windswept blond hair hence can be attributed to her young age and the strong Jordanian sun overhead, as reported by Hello! Magazine.

Middleton's transformation has long captivated hair specialists. Award-winning hairstylist Michael Gray once took a moment to discuss her current haircut. Her delicate highlights, he observed, provide brightness and depth. He explained, "The Princess has introduced some subtle highlights in a balayage form to give the illusion of her hair being lighter and brighter for summer." Hair extension expert, Olia Cutz, also speculated about possible hair improvement methods. She claimed that Middleton utilized nearly invisible extensions. "Kate could easily have had tapes or ultra bonds, which are incredibly tiny strands of hair extensions. They can add thickness and length to any hair type, but are so subtle they are incredibly hard to detect."

Middleton's life in the royal fold reveals that she has worked hard to maintain her unique style which critics now dub as the 'Kate effect'—a sense of carefree elegance. Middleton has had an undeniable influence on the fashion industry so much so that the London V&A Museum has displayed a pair of high-street heels that once defined her royal aesthetic. She’s not just a style icon; she’s a fashion powerhouse, credited with adding up to $2 billion to the British fashion industry in a year.

Francesca Kelly and Marianna Doyle, who are the founders of Soru, one of Middleton’s favorite affordable jewelry labels, also spoke about the 'Kate Effect.' They said, “When someone like the Duchess of Cambridge wears your brand, it fills you with immense pride." They added, “She opened our brand up to the international market and gave us great exposure around the globe. She is such an icon and always will be, it’s amazing that our small brand can be a part of that.”