Princess Kate is sporting a new look as she returns to royal duties following a summer break.

The 43-year-old Princess of Wales, known for her long, chestnut locks, stepped out with husband Prince William to visit the new gardens at London's Natural History Museum on Thursday, Sept. 4. The princess has been a patron of the nearly 150-year old museum since 2013.

Though the mother of three has made subtle changes to her hair color over the years, this latest hairstyle appears to be the lightest shade she's opted for since joining the royal family.

During their trip to the gardens, the prince and princess met with local schoolchildren who are "transforming their school grounds from grey to green" through the National Education Nature Park programme, according to the museum. However, the group got caught in a late summer rain, according to the BBC and The Independent, and they took their visit inside the venue.

Kate held an umbrella over some of the children, the outlets reported, as she told the teachers, "Let them go in. Let's take them inside; it's pouring."

She also wore a necklace that has reportedly been in rotation in her jewelry box over the past few years. It features the initials of her children, George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7.

In January, Kate announced with "relief" that her cancer was in remission. Then, during a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex in July, she opened up about the mental impact of her cancer treatment.

"You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment's done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal,' but actually the phase afterwards is really, really difficult," she said July 2.

Speaking to staff, patients and volunteers at the hospital, the princess emphasized the importance of support after treatment, noting that while patients may no longer be under clinical care, they often still struggle to "function normally at home" as they once did.

"And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable," she added, according to People.

Kate described the cancer diagnosis and treatment as "life-changing" for both patients and their loved ones. "You have to find your new normal and that takes time … And it's a roller coaster. It's not smooth, like you expect it to be," she said, according to the outlet. "But the reality is you go through hard times."

Contributing: Reuters and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Princess Kate debuts blonde hairstyle in royal outing with Prince William

Reporting by KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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