Kate Middleton shows off new sun-kissed highlights at baby bank

The Duchess of Cambridge unveiled a blonder sunkissed hairstyle as she visited a baby bank in Sheffield yesterday.

Kate Middleton, 38,  beamed and laughed as she debuted a lighter look during the visit to Baby Basics UK, to launch a new initiative she has spearheaded, getting 19 major UK retailers and brands to donate more than 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks across the UK.

And following her appearance, celebrity stylist James Johnson revealed how Kate has opted for ‘a more summery’ and ‘youthful’ look which was ‘bang on trend’ for the warmer months.

Speaking of her transition from her spring-time look, James suggested: ‘I think she does look more youthful with brighter hair, more healthy, more glowy. It’s the perfect look for the summer season.’

James Johnson told FEMAIL that the ‘fresh’ ashy colouring was a trendy look for the Duchess of Cambridge 

Speaking about Kate’s hair transformation, stylist James Johnson told Femail: ‘Brighter hair is more on trend because it’s more summery and it’s fresher.

‘Obviously lockdown has been a great time to reinvent yourself because we’ve spent so long inside.’

He went on: ‘She’s enjoying the summer season and showing it throughout her hair showing brighter and lighter tones.’

He added: ‘[She’s] keeping it healthy and shining. The Duchess is known for her glossy locks, and I think this look really suits her.’

The fresh sunkissed look comes just weeks after the royal debuted a new warm auburn look as she began conducting engagements in-person again (pictured, in July launching the Royal Foundation’s ££1.8 Million fund to support frontline workers and the nation’s mental health)

Speaking about the light blonde tone, James continued: ‘It’s quite a trend of hers, she’ll go lighter in the summer and darker in the winter. 

‘The Duchess often chooses a more rich colour in the winter so she’s bang on trend.’

He added that the royal had perfected her ability to subtly change her hair without making drastic changes.

He explained: ‘I think she shows us how to do it properly, and how to switch it up without it being too dramatic.’

In July, The Duchess showcased a shorter post-lockdown haircut in a warm, auburn colour as she appeared on BBC to back Tiny Happy People

James also said the look ‘fitted in’ with the latest spate of good weather in the UK, adding: ‘The tone fits in with the whole weather we’ve got, and then obviously it’s nice to have warmer hair when it gets colder in the winter.’

It was only last month that Kate debuted a new bouncier, shorter blow-dried style while making her first in-person appearances since lockdown.

The royal showcased a warm, auburn colour on her locks as she marked the national launch of Tiny Happy People, an Education initiative providing a range of free digital resources to support parents in developing children’s language from pregnancy to the age of four.

And at the end of the month, the Duchess showed off the auburn colouring in her usual bouncy blow dry style as she launched the Royal Foundation’s ££1.8 Million fund to support frontline workers and the nation’s mental health at the Sandringham Estate.

During lockdown, James revealed how the Duchess had ‘adopted simpler looks’ while having to arrange her own hair – with the royal opting for clever tricks including practical half up-dos (pictured left) and side partings (pictured right) that cover regrowth lines

James previously revealed how Kate had managed to maintain her hair throughout lockdown by opting for ‘simpler’ hairdos throughout lockdown that offer ‘longevity between washes’.

He told FEMAIL that the mother-of-three’s ‘sophisticated’ side-parting helped ‘open her face and show off her amazing cheekbones’ and covered any regrowth at the root. 

Yesterday, the Duchess visited Baby Basics in Sheffield as it was announced the royal has launched a new initiative she has spearheaded, getting 19 major UK retailers and brands to donate more than 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks across the UK.

Baby Banks are a crucial nationwide service, run by volunteers, helping to support some of the most vulnerable families in the UK by providing essentials such as nappies, clothing and bedding.

The new photographs of Kate’s private visit were released as she launched a new initiative at  Baby Basic UK & Baby Basics in Sheffield yesterday

The royal could be seen packing and sorting through boxes, as well as chatting to volunteers, during her visit in Sheffield yesterday 

The royal appeared in high spirits to launch a new iniaitive she had spearheaded at the Baby Basics UK

The banks have proved to be a lifeline for many struggling parents during the coronavirus crisis, but have found their services under increasing pressure, both as a result of demand and because they have been unable to accept second-hand donations on health and safety grounds. 

After hearing of this, Kate decided to put out feelers for donations from brands and high street retailers. 

In all, she has persuaded nineteen brands to donate more than 10,000 items to Baby Basics, Little Village and AberNecessities, who operate more than 40 baby banks across the UK.