The Duchess of Cambridge was as elegant as ever today in a claret LK Bennett coat while meeting military supporters, servicemen and women, as part of London Poppy Day.
However, the glossy mane that inspired a million Chelsea blow-dries looked rather different: silver roots were clearly visible along the parting of her normally chestnut hair. She's also gone for a less bouncy 'do than usual, parted in the middle, rather than at the side.
In fact, the flat, middle-parted style she's chosen highlights the silvery strands coming through at her hairline. Hairdresser Daniel Galvin Jr comments: 'If you are going grey, it is important to part your hair where the grey does not show.'
Many new mothers, like Kate, find that their hair changes after they give birth.
Greying hair is not normally directly associated with pregnancy, however, any form of stress can encourage it and can be a side effect of being pregnant or giving birth.
'If, when pregnant, you use an anaesthetic grey hairs may develop. It’s a huge shock to the system sometimes sends the hair bulb to sleep causing the hair to loose its natural pigmentation,' explains Galvin Jr.
'In my experience many pregnant women whose hair turns grey will start seeing their natural pigmentation come through within a few months.'
Sources say that the Duchess had, to her horror, started finding the odd
grey hair (‘stress highlights’, her friends joke) before her pregnancy
However, it seems more likely that Kate's has been getting lighter for the last few years - common among those with dark hair - and has simply decided not to cover it up.
Indeed, impeccably placed sources have whispered that the Duchess had, to her then horror, started finding the odd stray grey (‘stress highlights’, her friends joke) before her pregnancy.
To combat these, she had organic vegetable-based dye and subtle low-lights applied during regular four-hour visits to the Richard Ward Hair And Metrospa in Chelsea.
Evidently, Kate has let these sessions slip - not many new mothers, even royal ones, can spare four hours at the salon when they've got a four-month-old to look after.
'Going grey marks nature’s way of softening the hair colour giving natural highlights as the skin pigmentation changes,' says Galvin Jr. 'I always recommend using a semi-permanent colour with no ammonia or peroxide, to blend the grey hair and tone it down slightly.'
However, Kate may want to avoid any unnecessary chemicals: it could be that she's being very cautious about dying her hair while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Many women stop colouring their hair during pregnancy, with some waiting until at least 12 weeks after the birth of their baby to begin again. This is for fear of the chemicals used in many dyes being passed to the baby through breast-feeding.
This time last year, pictured above, Kate's hair was noticeably darker, and parted at the side
'Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared to the very low amount of chemicals a woman is exposed to when colouring her hair.'
Celebrity hair stylist Errol Douglas said: 'I recommend vegetable dye and colour glosses to my clients when they're expecting. They're safe and take them through those months with a gentle solution to keeping roots at bay.'
Kate looked radiant in a calf-length red coat from LK Bennett as she met former and serving soldiers at Kensington Palace today
The Duchess of Cambridge prepares to meet staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day Appeal
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled from Kensington palace to High Street Kensington this morning
Often, women find their hair looks thicker and shinier during pregnancy but hormonal changes kick in after having a baby, as dermatologist Justine Hextall explains.
'Hair has three phases; growth, resting and shedding,' she says.
'Normally, hair grows at the same rate that it falls out. But under the influence of pregnancy hormones, more hairs remain in the growing phase, particularly during the second and third trimester, which is why women often notice hair becoming thicker as their pregnancy goes on.
'Usually, losing your hair after birth is just your hair going back to normal.'
The Duchess of Cambridge, who left her hair long
and loose, with blonde highlights (and a hint of grey) coming through
the chestnut, rides a 1960s Routemaster bus as part of the London Poppy
Day events
Crowds swarmed as Kate and William met poppy vendors outside High Street Kensington tube station today
The Duchess of Cambridge met members of the
Poppy Girls, daughters of military personnel who are releasing a charity
song in aid of the British Royal Legion, today at Kensington Palace
The Duchess meets The Poppy Girls; Megan Adams,
10, Florence Ransom, 10, Alice Milburn, 13, Bethany Davey, 15, and
Charlotte Mellor, 17, who beat 1,000 hopefuls to make it into the group.
Catherine prepares to meet staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legions sporting a new hair style
Kate steps off a 1960s Routemaster bus at High
Street Kensington station in London where they met military personnel
and volunteers supported London Poppy Day
The Duchess of Cambridge meets with military personnel, staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion
Kate pulls her hair away from her face and enjoys a laugh as she and Prince William arrive to meet staff and volunteers
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