Princess Catherine donated clippings of her hair to children’s cancer charity

Princess Catherine made a surprising donation to a children’s cancer charity, it’s been revealed, and it wasn’t money.

Princess Catherine made a kind gesture to a children’s cancer charity years before she too was diagnosed, it has been revealed.

The Princess of Wales is believed to have donated 18cm of her hair to a children’s charity in 2017.

According to The Sun, the princess is said to have thought of the idea while her hairdresser, Joey Wheeler, was cutting her hair at Kensington Palace.

Princess Catherine has rocked a long hairstyle for years. Picture: Getty Images

“Joey persuaded her it was time to take off some of her hair, he said it was just getting too long,” a royal source told Britain’s Sunday Express.

“While Joey was snipping away the idea came to her of doing some good with it rather than throwing it away.”

The source added: “She mentioned it to Joey, who thought it was a brilliant idea.”

Although the date of the gesture is unknown, Princess Catherine surprised fans in July 2017 when she appeared at Wimbledon rocking a noticeably shorter hair cut then her usual longer style.

Princess Catherine rocked a shorter hairstyle at Wimbledon in 2017. Picture: Getty Images

LITTLE PRINCESS TRUST

Princess Catherine’s hair was then donated to Little Princess Trust – a charity that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair through illnesses, including cancer.

But the royal’s hair was not sent under her name or title, with the source saying: “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.”

Upon hearing the news that the donation was in fact from the Princess, the Little Princess Trust said that it was a “great surprise”.

Princess Catherine and Prince William are keeping a low profile as she undergoes cancer treatment. Picture: Getty Images

Helen Creese, a spokeswoman for the charity, explained: “It’s a complete surprise.

“We’re all absolutely delighted that she donated her hair, and we’re very grateful as well, just as we’re grateful to everyone who chooses to support the charity in this way, and so many people do.

“We’re assuming that she might have sent the donation anonymously.”

Ms Creese revealed that the charity often receives anonymous donations, as she continued: “It’s such a selfless act anyway to donate your hair to help a sick child or young adult.”

The news of the princess’ hair donation comes less than a fortnight after her announcement that she is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Princess of Wales has remained absent from any official duties following abdominal surgery in January.

Princess Catherine revealed in a moving video that she had cancer. Picture: AFP

She said in a video message last month that while the surgery was not cancer-related, post-op tests showed the disease had been “present”.

The Princess said the family now needs “time, space and privacy” while she completes her treatment.

In the video message, she said: “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

“At this time I am also thinking of all those lives affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease in whatever form please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

The Princess spoke about the “huge shock” after tests identified cancer following the surgery and the “incredibly tough couple of months” her family have experienced.

Originally published as Princess Catherine donated clippings of her hair to children’s cancer charity