The Princess of Wales unveiled her fresh blonde highlights whilst helping rescue a group of primary school pupils from September's torrential rain during a visit to London's Natural History Museum today.
Kate, who serves as patron of the museum, donned a relaxed shirt and blazer ensemble for the engagement, and displayed her eye-catching new fair hair shade as she turned up alongside Prince William.
Photographs initially suggested her updated appearance whilst she, together with other members of the Royal family, were holidaying in Balmoral last month.
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Upon reaching the museum today, Kate, patron of the Natural History Museum, remarked to Dr Sandy Knapp: "Sorry it's been such a long time for me to come back."
She then struck poses for photographs on the museum steps before welcoming visitors lining up to enter - with Kate even offering one enthusiastic youngster a high-five.
The Royal pair were scheduled to accompany children participating in 'pond dipping' activities hunting for newts and toads at the Nature Discovery Garden.
However, moments after the primary school pupils from Kender Primary School, New Cross, south London, turned up to meet the Royal guests they became drenched in an enormous and unexpected deluge, reports the Mirror.
Kate and William distributed their umbrellas before abandoning the outdoor pursuit and guided the children to shelter at the neighbouring Nature Activity Centre.
The princess directed several youngsters whilst William assisted in managing those at the back as the pupils splashed through puddles attempting to stay dry.
Beverley Brown, 44, assistant headteacher at Kender Primary School, said: "We had been waiting for the session to start and the children were very excited. As we started to move it started to pour and we didn't know what to do.
"Prince William gallantly held an umbrella over an adult and children. "Princess Kate was in amongst us and said 'let them go in' and 'lets take them inside, it's pouring'."
The children and Kate and William had to dry off inside the activity centre and the royals took part in a workshop helping the children identify animals encased in blocks and find their regular habitat.
When asked by a teacher about their discoveries, Kate revealed the children in her group "decided spiders are everywhere."
William placed his arm on one teacher's damp shoulders and asked: "Are you wet? We got you inside in time."
Speaking afterwards, Beverley added: "It was an amazing experience for children talking to them non stop about mini beasts. Prince William was laughing as some of the children were using them like jenga blocks. "Many of our families live in quite cramped housing and don't have access to gardens so to experience all of this at the Natural History Museum is very important for the children.
"We have received a National Education Nature Park Department of Environment grant for £10,000 for our own pond."
Kate, who bore visible rain spots on her emerald blazer, also accompanied William as they learned from students and staff at the Co-op Academy in Manchester. The institution has been establishing fresh habitats across their school premises via the National Education Nature Park initiative.
They participate in lessons designed to forge connections with nature and enhance biodiversity within urban environments.
Settling into the activity centre, Kate remarked: "Sorry we are a bit wet. It was nice and dry and then suddenly within seconds, it was such a lovely day."
William chuckled as he responded: "But it's nature, in amongst nature."
The academy has developed a vertical garden which has significantly reduced temperatures in a classroom that was previously swelteringly hot. William enquired about other "dream" proposals the school harbours, which might include rooftop gardens and reduced tarmac coverage around the premises.
Three students informed William of their ambitions to pursue careers as marine biologists.
William explained to them that numerous unexplored mysteries of the ocean depths remained and remarked: "You three could be the first ones to bring back crazy cool research from down at the bottom."
Speaking later, Noah, 14, expressed surprise at how "informal" the visit had been.
The gardens and National Education Nature Park initiative form part of the Natural History Museum's ambitious Urban Nature Movement. They opened their doors in 2024 and also serve as a living laboratory, where both visitors and scientists can identify and monitor wildlife in an urban setting.
The gardens and Nature Park Programme aim to encourage people to spend more time outdoors through hands-on activities and by emphasising the accessibility of nature in urban environments.
Since their opening in July last year, they have welcomed over five million visitors. The Nature Discovery Garden area has inspired 92 per cent of all visitors and 72 per cent of visitors aged 16-24 to spend more time outdoors.
Visitors to the gardens have also reported enhanced wellbeing from spending more time there.
Both The Prince and Princess are fervent advocates for the benefits of spending time in nature. The Princess is currently leading a project, 'Mother Nature', which underscores humanity's deep-rooted connection to nature, as well as nature's ability to inspire us, through a series of films celebrating the changing seasons across the UK.
The summer episode of the Mother Nature films was released just last month. She also encouraged society to "reconnect to nature and celebrate a new dawn within our hearts" in a voiceover for Spring.
In 2019, Her Royal Highness unveiled the 'Back to Nature' garden at the Chelsea Flower Show to highlight the power of nature in enhancing early childhood development.
The Princess has a long-standing relationship with the Scouts, an organisation dedicated to providing children and young people with outdoor experiences and exposure to nature. A representative for Kate has been contacted for a statement regarding her new hair colour.