The Princess Of Wales' Fresh Honey Bronde Hair Colour Is Her Best Shade Yet

Catherine, The Princess of Wales' signature hair colour has gained an unwavering allure over the years, and for good reason. The coveted brunette shade is elegant, glossy and undergoes subtle refinements every season, drifting from darker wintery hues to golden, sun-kissed colours in the warmer months. Her latest appearance at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle was the perfect moment to showcase her most recent summer update: a healthy and shiny honey-toned bronde.

'Kate’s current colour is a softened, dimensional bronde,' says trend forecaster and hairdresser Tom Smith. 'It's lighter and more neutral than her usual deep chestnut shade but still luminous, with delicate ribbons of a lighter, almost mushroom shade that add movement and lift. It’s a very refined update, not dramatic, but a little more youthful and feels fresh.'

According to Smith, both natural and faux brunettes can achieve the colour effortlessly.

'For brunettes wanting to achieve something similar, ask your colourist for extensive highlights lifted first, then toned right down - this avoids brassiness or any orangey fade - particularly for hair that is prone to fading too warm. The goal is a neutral bronde with subtle dimension, rather than any bold contrast,' he says.

Styling also plays an integral part in Kate's trademark style. While she flows between sophisticated up-dos and elegant, natural lengths, her go-to finish is a sleek, gently bounced blow-dry.

'To recreate her signature waves, tools like the Dyson Airwrap ID with the large round brush attachment can help create smooth, soft volume and bend,' says Smith. 'The curling attachments can be useful for hair that is prone to flatness, helping it get the look of more glamour. Using a lighter styling heat protector like Evo Icon Welder or Olaplex Volumising Blowdry Mist will help to protect and hold the style in place, while a light shine spray encourages the silky movement Kate's hair is known for.'

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Katie Withington

Beauty Writer

Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.