Kate Middleton unveils gorgeous mum-to-be hair makeover

She has long sporting flowing locks, but now the Duchess of Cambridge has unveiled a new shorter do to coincide with her return to public duties. 

Pregnant Kate, 35, arrived at Paddington Station for an event supporting the royal charities forum, attended by members of the cast and crew of the forthcoming film Paddington 2, showing off an even shorter layered bob, according to the Daily Mail.

As well as getting a confidence boost while getting back into the swing of royal life following a six-week absence, Kate may have gone for the chop after experiencing hair breakage - a common side effect of pregnancy. 

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While pregnancy hormones usually stop hair from falling out, this means strands that would normally have been shed remain on the head and are prone to breakage.  

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Hair-stylist and Viviscal Ambassador Philippe Tholimet said: "The new haircut has one length cut at the back with long graduated layers at the front. 

The hair is then blow-dried with volume and then set with tongs to create a loose wave at the bottom. 

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It suits Kate but a much shorter style would make her look younger and also more individual and unique.

"A mid-length cut is a great universal choice as it would suit any face shape. It’s a popular choice with women as it’s flattering, low-maintenance and versatile. 

What the hairstylist will need to make work with the face is creating layers or not and where the parting will sit. The rounder the face is the more layers you will need to create trying to elongate the face.

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"Having a significant amount chopped off the length will get rid of split ends and cut dry unhealthy bits. 

"Long hair can look stringy and thinner at the ends, a shorter cut will make hair look thicker and fuller."

Kate's bouncy, flowing curls were famous the world over as she became the poster girl for the glossy Chelsea blowdry. 

But in July 2017, she finally changed up her signature style by debuting a long, curly bob at Wimbledon, which was quickly dubbed the 'Kob' or Kate bob. 

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During her last public appearance before announcing her pregnancy, her hair was looking a little more flat than usual. 

A week after her visit to the Diana memorial garden at Kensington Palace it was announced that the Duchess was expecting her third child and battling hyperemesis gravidarum - a severe form of morning sickness. 

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Her hair was back to its glossy best when she returned to public duties last week at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark World Mental Health Day. 

But she's since been to the hairdresser, opting to take further inches off her mane.  

This article was first published on Daily Mail and is republished here with permission.