Kate Middleton Donated Her Hair to Children's Cancer Charity Years Before Her Own Diagnosis

"It's lovely to think that somebody, somewhere — probably more than one person — has received a wig containing Princess Kate’s hair," a spokesperson for The Little Princess Trust told PEOPLE at the time

Kate Middleton once donated some of her locks to a charity that creates wigs for young people experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment or other conditions years before she announced her cancer diagnosis.

The Princess of Wales' bouncy brown hair has long been a hallmark of her style, and the royal quietly donated seven inches of her tresses to the U.K. charity The Little Princess Trust in 2017. Six years ago, the Sunday Express reported that Kate, 42, had seven inches of her hair cut during an appointment at Kensington Palace and suggested to her stylist that they make good use of the locks being chopped.

Her hair was anonymously sent to the Little Princess Trust, which provides hair wigs free of charge to children and young people up to age 24 who have lost their hair during cancer treatment or experienced hair loss caused by other conditions. Kate debuted a shorter 'do in July 2017, hinting at when the secret good deed may have happened.

"It’s lovely to think that somebody, somewhere — probably more than one person — has received a wig containing Princess Kate’s hair," Helen Creese, a spokesperson for the charity, told PEOPLE at the time. "It’s a really lovely thought and it’s fantastic for raising awareness, plus it’s gorgeous hair — we all lust after that hair!"

Related: How Kate Middleton's Kids Are Helping Her amid Cancer: 'Extraordinary Resilience of Children' (Exclusive)

The Princess of Wales announced on March 22 that she was undergoing "preventative chemotherapy" after tests following her abdominal surgery in January "found cancer had been present," and asked for privacy for her young family as she completes treatment. The next day, she received a special message from Mila Sneddon, 8, who developed a friendship with the royal during her treatment for leukemia a few years ago.

"She will be brave because I was, and she will fight it like I did," Mila told The Mirror after Princess Kate’s announcement sent shockwaves around the world.

Mila’s mother Lynda Sneddon added, “[Kate] is a mom, a wife, she is young, beautiful, athletic and she is facing this. It shows cancer doesn’t discriminate, it can affect anyone at any time. We wish her a peaceful and speedy recovery.”

Lynda also sent a thoughtful message to Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on X, writing, "We extend our love, support and well wishes to William, George, Charlotte and Louis, and wish Catherine a peaceful speedy recovery #YouAreNotAlone." The hashtag referred to the last line of Princess Kate’s self-written speech to announce the news about her health.

"For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone," the Princess of Wales said in the address filmed by BBC Studios on March 20.

Related: Kate Middleton's 'Empathy' Stood Out During Her Cancer Announcement: 'She Is a Very Giving Person' (Exclusive)

Mila’s mother’s social media post accompanied a photo of her daughter meeting Princess Kate, who was then known as the Duchess of Cambridge, in May 2021 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The two connected after Mila participated in Kate’s Hold Still photography project in 2020. Mila was shown in a photo separated from her father while receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After learning that pink was the little girl’s favorite color during a phone call in August 2020, Kate kept her promise to wear the shade when they met — and she kept her promise, popping in a pink dress when she met Mila in May 2021. The youngster adorably wore a tiara to see the royal, who shared warm words of support.

"I want to give you a big, squeezy cuddle," Kate told her at the time. "I love your dress. Can you give it a twirl?"

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Fast forward to the present, and Mila’s mother told The Mirror that Princess Kate announced her cancer diagnosis on Mila’s second anniversary in remission.

"Mila turned to me and told me she wanted to make and send Kate a card. So Mila will make contact in her own private way," Lynda told the outlet. "Kate showed Mila such compassion, care and support both during and post-treatment, so it’s been very emotional to see she is now facing her own health struggles."

As the Princess of Wales focuses on making a full recovery, her family will be there to support her.

"She has the inner strength, the support of her husband and her extraordinary family, so she can focus on what’s important, which is her getting back to strength," Ailsa Anderson, a former spokeswoman for the late Queen Elizabeth, tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week's cover story.

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