Prince William surprised royal fans with a significant change in his appearance on Monday as he posted a message on Instagram alongside his wife, the Princess of Wales, to congratulate Team GB for their success in the Paris Olympics. What caught everyone’s attention was Prince William sporting a beard, a departure from his usual cleanly-shaven look. This rugged edge added a new dimension to his appearance, making him look more mature and distinguished.
Prince William is not the first Prince of Wales to experiment with facial hair. His father, King Charles, also had his fair share of bearded moments in his earlier years. In April 1976, Prince Charles rocked a smart naval beard during the Badminton Horse Trials, looking remarkably similar to his son. The naval beard, defined by a full beard and mustache that join together to cover the jawline, is a style that has been historically permitted in the Royal Navy.
While Prince Charles had his stint with facial hair during his military days as a helicopter pilot for the Royal Navy, he eventually returned to a cleanly-shaven look, much like his son Prince William. However, Prince William has made a few exceptions over the years, sporting a beard on certain occasions such as the Christmas Day Church Service in 2008. His brother, Prince Harry, has been more open to embracing facial hair and even wore a beard on his wedding day to Meghan Markle in 2018.
Prince Harry’s decision to wear a beard on his wedding day was met with some controversy, especially since he was supposed to wear the frock coat uniform of The Blues and Royals, which required a clean-shaven face according to military protocol. As a result, Prince Harry had to seek permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to keep his beard for the wedding. In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry revealed that he wanted his bride, Meghan Markle, to recognize him as he walked down the aisle, hence his insistence on keeping the beard.
In his memoir, Prince Harry also mentioned Prince William’s reaction to his beard, recalling a time when William returned from an assignment with Special Forces sporting a full beard. Someone reportedly told William to “be a good boy, run along, and shave it,” indicating the more traditional views on facial hair within the royal family. Despite occasional departures from the norm, the royals tend to stick to a cleanly-shaven look for public engagements and official events.
Overall, the evolution of royal facial hair from Prince Charles to Prince William reflects changing trends and personal preferences within the royal family. While tradition and protocol play a significant role in dictating royal grooming standards, there is still room for individual expression and experimentation with different styles. The decision to wear a beard or remain cleanly-shaven is ultimately a personal choice for each member of the royal family, adding a touch of personality and flair to their public image.
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