The Princess of Wales has gone blonde (Image: PA)

Earlier in the year we heard how the Princess of Wales wanted the focus to be on her work rather than her wardrobe. But despite her best efforts, the attention this week has not been on what she was wearing, but her hair colour. Kate, known for her luscious brunette hair, has returned from the summer with a new ‘bronde’ look.

We saw a glimpse of the makeover when she was snapped heading to church last month, but Thursday’s visit to the Natural History Museum marked the first time we got a proper look at the lighter locks. It is understood that she returned from a sun-soaked holiday with naturally lighter hair.

The princess was a fan of the lighter hue and asked her stylist to enhance the colour with a balayage – a technique to create a graduated, natural-looking colour where the roots are left untouched. The frenzy over the slight tweak to her appearance serves as a reminder that female royals are continuously scrutinised for how they look and it can’t be easy

I always think of September as a month of new beginnings. It marks the end of the summer holidays and a time to return to our normal routines.

While I’m not lucky enough to get the whole of the summer off work, I did enjoy some time off in the South of France and returning to the commentary box for the Aviva National Bowls Finals in Leamington Spa.

Back in the office, with the royals enjoying some respite in Balmoral, I’ve been freed up to knuckle down on the tasks I’ve been putting off during the busy season.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets the back-to-school feeling at this time of year, and with the royals returning to a busy diary of engagements I’m sure they have hit the reset button as we head into a new season of events.

The Palace has also been sharply brought back into focus by the revelations in another bombshell book on the Royal Family.

Former royal reporter Valentine Low will release the sequel to his bestselling book Courtiers on Thursday, and it’s certainly set to get tongues wagging.

Queen Camilla returned to work this week (Image: Getty)
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It has already been serialised at the author’s former paper, The Times, with revelations about the late Queen Elizabeth being a Remainer, Queen Camilla fighting off an attempted indecent assault and the Government’s determination to pump money into the King’s Coronation in May 2023.

The book is a fascinating insight into the unique dynamics between the monarch and their Government and how the relationship has changed over time.

It showcases the late Queen’s love of political gossip and her connection to each of the 15 prime ministers she worked with under her historic reign.

As a former political reporter I was captivated throughout, as it discusses some of the great – both good and bad – political moments of the past century.

I can’t reveal too much until the publication date, but it’s certainly another triumph from Low after his first bestseller, Courtiers (which coincidentally was given to me as a leaving gift when I hung up my politics hat).

Prince Harry is returning to the UK this week (Image: Getty)

Let’s hope that the new season brings with it a fresh start for royal relations. We all know how keen Prince Harry is to move on from the sorry saga, but the ball is very much in the King’s court.

Father and son will both be in the UK this week, as the Duke returns to London for the annual Wellchild Awards ceremony.

Charles, who was in Italy on a state visit the last time Harry flew over, will also be in the UK, in Scotland, at his Balmoral Estate.

There are signs that a meeting, albeit a brief one, will take place – their first since Harry rushed home after the King’s cancer diagnosis was made public last February,

But both sides are giving absolutely no indication that a date and time has been set, so we’ll just have to wait and see how it pans out in the coming days.

The third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death is tomorrow (Image: Getty)

Tomorrow will be a tough day for the Royal Family, the nation, and the Commonwealth, as it marks three years since Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

The King and Queen are expected to visit Crathie Kirk, where the late Queen was a regular worshipper while in Scotland, for a service today as Charles continues his tradition of marking the solemn anniversary at Balmoral.

Monday will be a moment of private reflection for the King, which also marks his Accession Day.

At 1pm, the bells at Westminster will ring out and gun salutes will be fired at the Tower of London, Hyde Park, Edinburgh Castle and Hillsborough Castle to mark the anniversary of the King’s accession.