Kate Middleton shows off blonde hair in Scotland as Prince William faces Prince Harry’s return to UK

Sunkissed and glowing, Summer appears to be agreeing with the Princess of Wales as she debuts her new hairdo in style.

Princess Kate was spotted travelling to church at Crathie Kirk on August 23 alongside Prince William and their three children, Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8.

With Prince William behind the wheel of the family’s Range Rover, Kate’s outfit was mostly hidden from view, but her fresh holiday glow and significantly blonder hair were hard to miss. The future queen paired her new look with a high-necked white blouse, what appeared to be a tweed blazer, a dark hat and statement gold earrings.

The Wales family has been enjoying their traditional late-summer stay at Balmoral, the royal estate tucked away in the Scottish Highlands, since August 20, In Style revealed.

Princess Kate’s glowing holiday appearance comes as slightly less relaxing conversations may be happening behind palace doors as their holiday came just one day after the news broke that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were preparing to move back to the UK with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.

The Sussex children are reportedly set to begin school in Britain in September, although Harry and Meghan are not expected to return to life as working royals after dramatically stepping back from their duties in 2020.

The timing has put the spotlight firmly back on Prince Harry’s fractured relationship with his older brother.

Prince William has previously spoken warmly about Balmoral and the family’s connection to Scotland, where he and Princess Kate famously met while studying at the University of St Andres 25 years ago.

“George, Charlotte, and Louis are already aware of how dear Scotland is to both of us, and they’re beginning to create their own cherished memories there, too,” Prince William has said.

But Prince Harry’s impending return could make the next chapter of those family memories a little more complicated.

A royal insider claimed Prince William and Princess Kate were “very concerned” about the Sussexes’ return, particularly over the possibility of Prince Harry and Meghan revisiting the part-royal, part-independent arrangement rejected by Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.

“William is very concerned that Harry and Meghan will want to try and implement the ‘half in, half out’ model Queen Elizabeth vetoed at the Sandringham Summit (in 2020),” the insider told Vanity Fair.

“They are wary about the whole move back to Britain. (King) Charles is happy to see Harry come home, but for William, the breakdown of trust is a key issue.”

There is, however, some hope that having both brothers back on the same side of the Atlantic could finally thaw their famously frosty relationship.

One source described Harry’s move as the “best opportunity” for a reconciliation.

“It would never happen with him in America,” the insider said.

“This gives them an opportunity to try and mend that bridge.”

And Princess Kate could reportedly find herself playing royal peacemaker.

“Catherine may step into that breach and try to help, too, because she knows how important family is and how important Harry is to William. She would want to see that healed, as any wife would. This gives them opportunity to try and mend that bridge.”

So while Princess Kate’s summer refresh may be serving effortless Balmoral chic, the royal family’s next season looks considerably more complicated.