(NewsNation) — Kate Middleton made a surprise visit, alongside her husband Prince William, to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Kate visited the Women’s Institute in Sunningdale, Berkshire, on Monday, Sept. 8, the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death.
According to People Magazine, she was not expected to join William at the Women’s Institute.
Queen Elizabeth was reportedly a member of the Women’s Institute for 80 years and was president of the organization from 2003 until her death in 2022, People reports.
Kate Middleton ditches blonde look
Kate also brought back her classic brunette look, weeks after debuting a honey blonde look.
On Sept. 4, Kate showed off her hair, which featured blonde highlights, but returned to being a brunette at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, according to The Blast.
SUNNINGDALE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 8: Catherine, Princess of Wales listens as she visits the National Federation of Women’s Institute (WI) to commemorate the three-year anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2025 in Sunningdale, England. (Photo by Alastair Grant – WPA Pool/Getty Images) 
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales during their visit to the Natural History Museum’s newly renovated gardens on September 04, 2025 in London, England. The gardens opened in 2024 and serve as a living laboratory, where visitors and scientists can identify and monitor wildlife in an urban environment. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) 
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex departs after attending a Court of Appeal hearing regarding his security at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 8, 2025 in London, England. Prince Harry is appealing a previous High Court ruling based on a decision made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) to downgrade the level of security he receives whilst visiting the UK after stepping back from being a full time working member of the royal family. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
She reportedly received criticism online about her blonde look.
Princess Diana’s hairstylist, Sam McKnight, came to Kate’s defense on Instagram, saying he was “horrified, dismayed, and disgusted by all the nasty comments” toward the Princess of Wales.
He added, “Cancer affects individuals differently, but is life-changing for everyone. So FFS LEAVE HER ALONE. SHAME ON YOU.”
Prince Harry returns to the UK
The outing by the Prince and Princess of Wales came hours before Prince Harry returned to London for the WellChild Awards.
According to NewsNation’s Paula Froelich, Harry and Meghan Markle’s popularity has waned as Americans seemingly only care for the two as it relates to their ties with the royal family.
The second season of Meghan’s Netflix show, “With Love, Meghan,” debuted last week and hasn’t hit the streamer’s Top 10 list — either in America or globally.
According to FlixPatrol, which measures the views and popularity of TV shows, the show didn’t even hit the top 100.