The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, appeared relaxed and cheerful during a recent outing at Balmoral, showing no outward signs of concern regarding the reported return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the United Kingdom. She was photographed en route to Crathie Kirk in Aberdeenshire, sporting a new lighter, "bronde" hairstyle and a noticeable tan, suggesting a recent period of sun exposure during her family's summer holiday.
The Wales family, including Prince William and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral for a summer break. This follows their attendance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier in August.
Middlesex's lighter hair color, a style she previously debuted at Balmoral, is thought to be a result of increased time spent outdoors. Her attire for the outing included a grey Ralph Lauren blazer, a ruffled white blouse from Holland & Cooper, a brown pillbox hat from Lock & Co Hatters, and Ralph Lauren earrings.
William and Kate were among several royals, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who attended the service. Their children were also present, with Prince George seen in the car with his mother. 
News of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's planned return to the UK, after six years in the United States, emerged recently. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, have reportedly been enrolled in British schools and are expected to begin classes in September. The Sussexes are thought to be planning to reside in a private home outside London.
Prince William and Kate have not made any public statements regarding the Sussexes' return. The relationship between the brothers has been strained, marked by accusations made by Prince Harry in his memoir "Spare" and a Netflix documentary series. These include allegations that William and Kate were aware of or encouraged his decision to wear a controversial Nazi uniform to a costume party in 2005. The Sussexes also claimed in their Netflix series that Kensington Palace had issued a false statement to protect Prince William amid bullying accusations against Harry.
Sources indicate that the terms of the "Megxit" agreement, under which the Sussexes ceased to be working royals and became financially independent, remain unchanged. The couple, who have been living in Montecito, California, will not be offered a "half in, half out" arrangement regarding their royal roles.
The royal family was reportedly surprised by the timing of the Sussexes' homecoming plans. King Charles was said to have been informed only recently, despite a meeting with Harry and Meghan during their visit to Britain last month. The Sussexes' decision to establish a household separate from William and Kate was announced in March 2019, signifying a divergence that began amid reports of rifts between the couples. By March 2020, they had settled in California and officially stepped down as senior royals.
