Kate Middleton's new blonde hair turns heads in royal outing with Prince William

Kate Middleton and Prince William made their first royal outing since the summer holidays with a special visit to London’s Natural History Museum, but the weather wasn’t on their side.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at the South Kensington landmark on Thursday morning to bright sunshine, before heavy rain abruptly ended their outdoor activities just minutes later. 

The couple joined schoolchildren for a “pond dipping” session in the Nature Discovery Garden, searching for newts and toads, when a sudden downpour forced everyone indoors.

Kate, who has been patron of the museum since 2013, greeted staff including plant taxonomist Dr. Sandy Knapp, apologising for her long absence from the attraction. 

Despite the gloomy skies, the princess turned heads with a fresh new look, her trademark chestnut hair now highlighted with caramel blonde tones, enhanced with balayage after being naturally lightened in the summer sun.

Before the rain hit, Kate and William smiled for photos on the museum steps and even shared a sweet moment with a young royal fan who received a high-five from Kate. 

Later, the couple sheltered under umbrellas as they helped usher children to safety inside the museum’s Nature Activity Centre.

RELATED: How Kate Middleton new hair uncovered major truth about her health?