Who: Catherine, Princess of Wales; When: September 4–5, 2025; Where: Natural History Museum and public encounters in London; What: Kate acknowledged compliments about a new honey-blonde hairstyle and addressed public reactions after some online posts suggested her look was a wig.
Key Takeaways
- Kate greeted well-wishers on September 4 during a joint appearance with Prince William at the Natural History Museum.
- In a short exchange captured on video, she replied, “How embarrassing. You’ll make me blush,” after a compliment about her blonde hair.
- Social media users disputed whether the style was natural, an extension, or a wig, prompting mixed reactions online.
- Veteran hairdresser Sam McKnight publicly defended the princess and criticized harsh comments on social media.
- Kate’s recent cancer diagnosis (March 2024) and subsequent treatment, with remission announced January 2025, remain relevant to public sensitivity.
- There is no confirmed evidence publicly that the princess wore a wig; professional stylists say extensions and styling can change appearance.
Verified Facts
The Princess of Wales and the Prince of Wales visited the Natural History Museum’s newly renovated gardens on September 4, 2025, marking their first joint public appearance after summer recess. Video posted to social platforms shows Kate speaking briefly with members of the public during that visit.
During a filmed exchange shared by a TikTok account, Kate accepted a compliment about her new golden-honey hair and responded with a light, self-effacing remark: “How embarrassing. You’ll make me blush.” She also spoke warmly about her children, noting how quickly they are growing.
After the outing, some social posts on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms suggested the hairstyle was a wig; others argued it was the result of extensions or a color change. No official statement from the palace confirmed any of those technical details on hair styling.
Sam McKnight, who worked with Princess Diana and has commented publicly on royal hair matters, posted a defense of Kate on Instagram, calling out hostile online commentary and urging empathy given the princess’s recent health history.
Context & Impact
Public scrutiny of royal appearances is routine, but reactions intensified because Kate’s look followed a period of cancer treatment. The princess announced a cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and revealed in January 2025 that she was in remission after chemotherapy—details that have shaped public sentiment and media coverage.
The debate about whether a public figure is wearing a wig taps into broader conversations about privacy, body autonomy and the standards applied to women in public life. Stylists and commentators note that professional blowouts, extensions, or regrowth after treatment can all alter hair’s appearance without meaning a wig was used.
For the royal household, such episodes can divert attention from substantive engagements and reinforce polarized online behavior, prompting allies and industry figures to defend the subject publicly.
“I am shocked, horrified, dismayed and disgusted by all the nasty comments about the Princess of Wales today… A woman’s hair is very personal to her, it’s armor, defense, confidence and so much more.”
Sam McKnight, Instagram post
Unconfirmed
- That the Princess of Wales wore a wig during the September 4 appearance — there is no official confirmation.
- That hair extensions, rather than color or regrowth, were specifically used — commentators have proposed this but it remains unverified.
- Any suggestion that the styling choice was intended to mislead the public — no evidence supports motive claims.
Bottom Line
The short public exchange showed Kate acknowledging compliments about a new blonde style while social media quickly disputed its origin. With no official confirmation about wig use, the episode highlights how private appearance choices for high-profile figures can trigger intense public debate—especially when health history is part of the background. Expect further commentary from stylists and occasional clarifications from spokespeople if the palace chooses to respond.