Princess Diana’s hairstylist has spoken out about the criticism Princess Kate has received (Image: Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Sam McKnight and Karwai Tang/WireImage)

A hairdresser who worked with Princess Diana for seven years has criticised people who have made unkind comments about Princess Kate’s new blonde hairstyle. Sam McKnight, who was Diana’s personal hairstylist from 1990 until her death in 1997, took to Instagram on Thursday to call out those making “nasty” and “evil” comments about Kate.

The comments from members of the public came about on Thursday after The Princess of Wales, 43, stepped out with Prince William at The Natural History Museum with her blonde locks, which are usually brunette. This is the second time her new hairstyle has been seen publicly, with photographs showing Kate’s blonder hair tones published last month when she was spotted in Scotland heading to a church service near Balmoral. While some royal fans have praised her new blonde look, many have been harshly critical about Kate’s hair, prompting McKnight, 70, to publish a post on Instagram in defence of the royal.

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He 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.

“I’m sure she would rather be away from the public arena. She has brilliantly and quietly, unselfishly represented our country, the soft power we still have as a nation.

“Cancer affects individuals differently, but is life-changing for everyone. So F** LEAVE HER ALONE. SHAME ON YOU.”

Princess Kate stepped out with her new blonde hairstyle yesterday (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

McKnight is believed to be a supporter of the royals, having worked with Diana for seven years after meeting her at a photo shoot. It is believed he shared a close bond with the late princess, having once told The Telegraph that her remembered Diana as being “so funny”.

He once recalled: “’I loved her. She was so funny.

“She sent [me] these really filthy birthday cards from this card shop on Kensington High Street.”

Princess Kate has not publicly spoken about her new hairstyle or the criticism she has received.