Kate Middleton is known for her stylish wardrobe and stunning hair, but she hasn’t always sported the long brunette locks we’ve come to admire over the years.

Aside from occasional experiments with a fringe or subtle highlights, Kate has largely maintained a consistent look of glossy brown hair, either sleekly blow-dried or styled in an elaborate updo, since becoming a Royal more than 13 years ago.

But an unearthed photo of a much younger Kate revealed a strikingly different look: instead of her signature style, she sported bright blonde hair.

The throwback photo featured a young Kate alongside her father Michael and sister Pippa during a visit to ancient ruins in Jerash, Jordan. The Middleton family resided in Jordan for three years when Kate and Pippa were children.

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This period in Jordan coincided with Michael’s relocation there for work with British Airways, during which time Kate and Pippa attended a local nursery. Given Kate’s young age in the photo and the sun-soaked climate of Jordan, it’s likely that her hair naturally lightened before darkening as she grew older.

The unearthed photo has re-emerged as Kate is preparing to join the rest of the Royal Family for their annual summer vacation in Balmoral this month. It’s reported that Kate, who has been receiving cancer treatment, will travel to the Scottish Highlands in what would be her longest trip away from her Windsor home since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Since her diagnosis in March, the 42-year-old has been splitting her time between Adelaide Cottage in Windsor and Amner Hall in Norfolk. She’s only made two public appearances, at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, both conveniently close to her Windsor residence.

The Mail On Sunday reported that some insiders were worried that due to her health condition, she might not have been able to make the journey to Balmoral. However, sources confirmed to the publication that she will indeed be heading to Scotland for the Royal Family’s annual summer retreat.

In June, Kate shared a deeply personal message about her preventative chemotherapy treatment before her first appearance back at Trooping the Colour. She candidly confessed that her treatment was ongoing for a few more months and admitted she was “not out of the woods yet” and had “good days and bad days.”

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