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    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Kate Middleton Is Back to Brunette and On Trend for Fall 2025 in a New Plaid Dress

    The Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance on the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death.

    Kristin Contino#039;s avatar
    By Kristin Contino
    Published 8 September 2025 In News

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    Kate Middleton smiling in a plaid dress
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    Now that Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte are back to school, Princess Kate is busier than ever, and she surprised fans with a new engagement—and a new look—on Monday, September 8. Princess Kate's sunny blonde hair was back to brown as she joined Prince William for a special visit to the National Federation of Women's Institutes (WI) in Sunningdale, England to mark the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death.

    The Princess of Wales was first spotted with blonde hair while riding to church on the Balmoral estate last month, and she made waves with her new look at the Natural History Museum on September 4. Some fans argued that her hair only looked different because it was pulled half back during a rugby match on Saturday, September 6—but the princess had indeed colored her hair into a darker light brown shade for her WI visit Monday.

    Along with her autumnal hair color, Kate debuted a new dress for the event, wearing a gray plaid Alessandra Rich midi in a tartan pattern that's one of fall's biggest trends. The past-season style featured an oversized pilgrim collar, puffed sleeves and pearl buttons, and she paired it with gray pumps and an old favorite pair of Kiki McDonough white topaz and diamond stud earrings.

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    Kate Middleton leaving a brick building wearing a gray plaid dress and waving with Prince William walking down stairs behind her

    Princess Kate wore an Alessandra Rich dress for her surprise visit to the WI on September 8.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Kate Middleton wearing a gray plaid dress and smiling next to Prince William and a group of older women

    Prince William and Princess Kate met members of the organization.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Prince William and Princess Kate smiling and standing at a table of food at a women#039;s institute meeting

    The couple enjoyed some sweet treats at the WI.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    The WI is an organization that was close to Queen Elizabeth's heart and brings women together to make friends, learn new skills and form community. The late Queen was a WI member for an incredible 80 years and also served as president of the organization from 2003 until her death. During their visit, the Prince and Princess of Wales met members and enjoyed some baked goods, along with hearing stories about the late Queen and her impact on the WI.

    Fittingly, the Sunningdale group is right in the heart of the community where the Wales family is moving later this year. William, Kate and their three children will be relocating to Forest Lodge in the heart of Windsor Great Park, just about 10 minutes away from the WI's meeting place.

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    Prince Harry also marked Queen Elizabeth's death anniversary on Monday, making a private visit to her grave at Windsor Castle, as a spokesperson confirmed to People. The Duke of Sussex will later attend the WellChild Awards on Monday night to honor the achievements of seriously ill children and their families.

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    Kristin Contino
    Kristin Contino
    Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

    Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

    Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

    Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.

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