A hairdresser with experience of working alongside cancer patients has encouraged royal watchers to be kind, as cruel comments over Catherine, Princess of Wales’ recent blonde look spark outrage
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is best known for her dedication to her royal duties, but in recent times, it’s her hair that’s been the focus of conversation.
After returning from the Royal family’s traditional summer break, the future queen showed off notably lighter locks during a visit to London’s Natural History Museum, of which she is a patron. This blonde look took a number of fans by surprise, with Kate’s glossy chestnut mane having always been one of her most distinctive physical features.
Then, while cheering on England’s Red Roses at the Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium on Saturday, royal watchers noted that Kate had opted for an elegant yet relaxed hairstyle, with tresses pieced back away from her face.
Although the 43-year-old received plenty of compliments on her fresh new look, she’s also faced some cruel criticism from online trolls. Notably, today Kate was back to sporting her classic brunette locks, and some believe the sudden switch was due to insensitive comments at a time when the princess is still navigating life after a cancer diagnosis.
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Now, a hairdresser with experience of working with those who’ve had cancer has spoken with the Mirror about why such comments are particularly insensitive, given Kate’s medical history.
Harriet Kessie-Cudjoe, who founded the London-based salon Afrotherapy, told the Mirror: “As hairdressers, we see and hear on a daily basis how deeply connected hair is to identity and confidence. In fact, I tell my team all the time. ‘Every haircut tells a story’, emphasising the need to listen and empathise.
“For many clients, hair is not just about style. It’s a huge part of how they express themselves and how they’re seen by the world. When someone experiences cancer-related hair loss, it can feel like losing a part of themselves, and that can understandably have a huge impact on self-esteem.
“I saw this first-hand with my own sister, who experienced hair loss and eventually lost her battle with cancer. I have also seen it and supported many of my own clients through this difficult time.
“This is why it’s so important for the wider public to show kindness and sensitivity. Comments about appearance, even if meant lightly, can feel incredibly painful for someone navigating treatment and all the changes that come with it.”
Advising how people can instead show support for loved ones living with or in remission from cancer, Harriet shared: “In terms of support, one of the most valuable things loved ones can do is to listen and let the person guide the conversation. Some may want to talk about wigs, headscarves, or scalp care, while others may not want to focus on their hair at all.
“Practical care like helping to source a wig specialist, recommending gentle scalp treatments, or even booking in for a pampering head massage can make a real difference. For clients, I always encourage focusing on scalp health and comfort first.
“Using soothing, fragrance-free products and keeping the scalp moisturised can help with irritation or dryness during treatment. If they feel ready, exploring wigs, hairpieces, or protective styles can offer a sense of normality and control. But equally, embracing headscarves or going without can be just as empowering.
“Above all, it’s about reassurance. Hair often grows back after treatment, but in the meantime, making someone feel beautiful, cared for, and supported in whichever way they choose is the most important thing.”
Taking to social media, Sam McKnight, the hairstylist of the former Princess of Wales, Princess Diana, previously issued a strongly worded statement in defence of the mum of three, urging people to show more empathy. Sam wrote: “I am shocked, horrified, dismayed and disgusted by all the nasty comments about the Princess of Wales today. A woman’s hair is very personal to her; it’s armour, defence, confidence, and so much more.
“I cannot believe how evil and lacking in any kind of empathy are the comments, the majority made apparently by other women, attacking a vulnerable other young woman, who has no choice, by dint of who she married, and the role she took on, to bravely face the public.”
He continued: “She has brilliantly and quietly, unselfishly represented our country, the soft power we still have as a nation. Cancer affects individuals differently, but it is life-changing for everyone. So FFS LEAVE HER ALONE. SHAME ON YOU.”
The mother-of-three publicly announced that she had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in 2024. For a number of months, the princess took a step back from the spotlight to focus on a course of preventative chemotherapy, while issuing well-wishers with regular updates.
In September of that same year, Kate announced that she was cancer-free after completing her course of chemotherapy, to the relief of those who had followed her progress.
However, Kate has previously spoken candidly about how her ordeal continues to affect her life. While meeting with fellow patients at a cancer wellbeing centre at Colchester Hospital in July of this year, Kate reflected that, all too often, after finishing treatment, patients are expected to “crack on, get back to normal”, even if this just isn’t possible.
Speaking from personal experience, Kate shared: “There is a whole phase when you finish your treatment, everybody expects you to be better – go! But that’s not the case at all.”
She continued: “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 difficult.
“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.
“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. You have to find your new normal and that takes time.”
Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
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Source: Mirror
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