The Princess of Wales drew attention Thursday when she gathered her hair into a low bun without using a visible hair tie or clip while visiting Marina Mill in Cuxton, part of a series of royal visits to London mills.
Video shared on X by a Middleton fan account showed the 43-year-old removing her suit jacket, tying a black apron around her torso and then, with her hair worn down in loose waves, gathering her thick brown locks. She twisted them into what appeared to be a ponytail, wrapped the ends into a bun at the nape of her neck and tucked the ends under to secure the style, all without breaking eye contact or interrupting conversations with the craftspeople demonstrating screen printing.
The clip prompted a flurry of comments from social media users, with the fan account writing, “Just the Princess of Wales effortlessly putting her hair into a bun with no hair ties or clips at all today.” Replies ranged from praise for the quick styling to requests for “slow motion” replays, while others noted the apparent ease with which she completed the maneuver.
During the visit, the princess — who was participating in hands-on demonstrations of traditional printing techniques — remained engaged with staff and visitors. Photographs from the appearance show her interacting with craftspeople and observing the process before taking part in a screen-printing activity herself.
The hairstyle drew particular attention because the princess has recently appeared with varying hair lengths and shades. She unveiled a lighter, dark-blond look at a separate engagement at the Natural History Museum’s gardens last week, and was later photographed with a darker tone while attending the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Kate Middleton has been gradually resuming public duties following a year in which she disclosed a cancer diagnosis. She revealed in March 2024 that she had undergone major abdominal surgery that led to the diagnosis and said the condition had been “complex, scary and unpredictable.” The duchess announced in September 2024 that she had completed chemotherapy and was reported to have entered remission in January.
The princess, who married Prince William in April 2011, is a mother of three: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Her public engagements since returning to official duties have included a mix of ceremonial events and hands-on visits to cultural and community organizations.
The Marina Mill appearance was one of several stops on a day focused on traditional crafts in the London area. Photographers and onlookers captured moments from the visit, including the brief styling demonstration, which quickly circulated on social media and drew commentary from supporters and fashion observers.
The video and accompanying images reflect a continued public interest in the princess’s appearances, both for her engagements and personal style choices, as she maintains a schedule of official duties while managing her recovery.