Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge has donated 'seven inches' of her hair to charity to be made into wigs for young cancer sufferers

Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly 'donated seven inches of her hair' to charity, so that it can be made into wigs for children who are suffering from cancer.

The sweet selfless gesture was revealed by the Daily Express, who were told by a royal source that the Duchess of Cambridge asked her hairdresser to cut more than normal off her infamous locks in order that her hair could be donated to the Little Princess Trust.

The charity makes wigs for children who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy and have lost their hair during treatment. Their skilled specialists take any donated hair and blend it together to make the wigs. It can take up to 10 different donations to make just one wig, so every hair donation is gratefully received.

The Duchess is reported to have donated her locks after having her hair cut from its signature long, blow-dried waves to a long bob over the summer at the suggestion of her hairdresser, Joey.

'Four months ago 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 the Daily Express.

'While Joey was snipping away the idea came to her of doing some good with it rather than throwing it away. She mentioned it to Joey, who thought it was a brilliant idea.'

On hearing the news that the formerly anonymous hair donor from Kensington was none other than Kate Middleton herself, the Little Princess Trust said they were 'absolutely delighted' by the revelation.

'We were told that the latest hair donor to join our ever-growing list of wonderful supporters was none other than the Duchess of Cambridge' the charity wrote on their website. 'When we heard the news we were absolutely delighted!'

Monica Glass, Charity Manager said, 'We are so very grateful to every single person who kindly supports the charity in this way. As the Duchess of Cambridge is so much in the public eye, we hope the message that the charity can help children and young people with hair loss will reach everyone who might need our assistance. Receiving a free, real hair wig has a very positive impact on a child or young adult at such a difficult time.  We hope that this donation will encourage others to consider supporting the charity in the same way.'