It’s no secret that Kate Middleton loves children and it is now revealed that she did something lovely over the summer for a child in need.
The Duchess of Cambridge surprised us when she cut off about seven inches of her hair, debuting a shorter style — almost a bob — at the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
It turns out that when Middleton chopped off her famously lush, long, brown hair, she suggested to her hairstylist that they send it to a charity that makes wigs for children.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWFsRRWAOgh/?taken-by=kensingtonroyal
According to the UK’s Express, the duchess’ hair was anonymously sent to a charity called the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs from real hair. Children and young people up to age 24 who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments and other illnesses are able to receive a wig for free.
“It was sent using someone else’s name, so that the trust didn’t know it was from a royal source — they just thought it was from a female donor in the Kensington area,” a source told Express.
While the duchess is likely the most famous person to donate her locks to the charity, others have done so as well.
In 2016, One Direction singer Harry Styles cut off his long ponytail and donated it to the Little Princess Trust. He posted a photograph of his cut ponytail on his Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFEp7OUDCdi/?utm_source=ig_embed
In 2013, British pop singer Jessie J donated her hair to the charity by shaving her head— although the charity noted you definitely do not need to shave your head to donate!
https://www.instagram.com/p/lj2pzsRpKH/?tagged=jessiejbald
It is Middleton’s hair that is getting all of the attention now. Little Princess Trust was particularly pleased someone who is so high-profile has raised awareness about their work.
“We are so very grateful to every single person who kindly supports the charity in this way. As the Duchess of Cambridge is so much in the public eye, we hope the message that the charity can help children and young people with hair loss will reach everyone who might need our assistance,” Monica Glass, charity manager, wrote on the charity’s website. “Receiving a free, real hair wig has a very positive impact on a child or young adult at such a difficult time. We hope that this donation will encourage others to consider supporting the charity in the same way.”
The charity also acknowledged that the creation of one wig can require seven to 10 hair individual donations, so it is likely that the duchess’ locks will be mixed with other people’s hair eventually.
If you’re looking to donate your hair, the Little Princess Trust does accept donations outside the U.K. Additionally, there are also multiple charities in the U.S., like Locks of Love, where you can donate.
This amazing charity creates wigs out of yarn for children who lose their hair: