Recent images of the princess got the internet guessing. But they shouldn’t have.

Wow, they look different. I wonder what happened?

I am sure you’ve had this thought many times in your life—looking at a celebrity, someone you know, or someone you just met. I understand why: It is hard to resist the impulse when you notice something novel or unusual.

On Wednesday, images of Kate Middleton sporting a new, blonde look surfaced on social media, and while many websites and Instagram accounts took to praising her lighter locks and reposting the photos, the comments sections of these posts told a different story. They were flooded with questions about Middleton’s health—in 2024, she announced she had cancer—and wondered, aloud, whether she might be wearing a wig or how she managed to have more hair after treatment.

Our society has a longstanding problem where people believe it is acceptable to comment on another person’s body. With the rise of the body positivity movement, the social consciousness became (somewhat) more aware that these comments are unacceptable and harmful. But what the online conversation about Middleton shows is that we’ve quickly forgotten that someone’s hair—or hair loss—is just like their size or skin. Commenting on someone’s hair is no different than commenting on any other part of their body, and by doing so, you are increasing their risk of body image injury and body consciousness. (And frankly, it’s none of your business.)

I started losing my hair at age three and have been bald since I was six due to alopecia areata. I have often been at the receiving end of these types of thoughts (That girl is BALD!), which quickly turn into assumptions (She must be sick) and, of course, the occasional rude comment (That’s gross, put a wig on). My experience with hair loss is largely what inspired my career as a therapist who specializes in body image. As a child, I learned quickly that being visibly different meant people felt entitled to comment on my body and make bold assumptions about my health.

Hair can be closely tied to one’s identity. Aside from the fact that people tend to identify others by describing their hair color or length, many use their hair as a form of self-expression. For some, hair is part of their culture. It’s often central to how people recognize themselves, which can make losing your hair for any reason traumatizing. The changing image in the mirror, bald patches emerging overnight, the braids that connected to your heritage no longer being an option, and the fear of it never coming back are just a small glimpse into what someone might go through. Research confirms what people with hair loss already feel: A meta-analysis of 5,553 patients found that nearly half experienced anxiety disorders as a result of their hair loss condition. How cruel that on top of all that, people feel entitled to an explanation. I am sure you would agree that if you experienced a traumatic event, whether cancer or hair loss, you would want the privacy to navigate such a life-altering situation. Public figures deserve no different as it relates to their body and health.

Another truth is that these comments can be even more dangerous when they’re targeted at a celebrity. Why? Because hair loss is already stigmatized and shamed. In Middleton’s case, news outlets treaded lightly, focusing on the Kate’s gone blonde! of it all. But implicitly, as the comments show, these photos call attention to something deeper: Middleton’s cancer diagnosis; speculation about whether she’s experienced hair loss; and, if so, what she’s decided to do about it. It only reinforces that stigma and collective body consciousness for all people.

Let’s suppose Middleton did say she was wearing a wig. Would that make the online chatter go away? Of course not. Society stigmatizes baldness and patchy or thinning hair, but it also stigmatizes wig wearing. The game is rigged against people with hair loss: no matter which option you choose, you can’t win. Those who openly display their hair loss, like I do, will get comments like “You would look better with a wig,” or “Why do you look like that?”. Those who embrace alternative hair will start receiving other comments: “Is that your real hair?” or “I don’t like how that looks on you.” The great irony is that hair loss is an experience many will have in their lifetime for one reason or another (hormonal changes, stress, or even aging), and no one should ever feel forced to disclose why they have it or whether they wear wigs.

I can’t help but mention that it’s alopecia areata awareness month, which brings attention to the autoimmune hair loss condition. So perhaps it’s as good a time as ever to ask ourselves why we care so much about other people’s bodies. How does it serve you? Are there body image wounds that need your attention and compassion?

Answering these questions may open the door to thinking differently next time you see an appearance-focused headline—or comment your inner monologue on a magazine’s Instagram post.