William's beard: love it or hate it?
Have your say!
Happy Monday, Royal Clubbers,
It's Ainhoa here, kicking off the week with a light-hearted post, asking you to share your thoughts on Prince William's new holiday beard!
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been enjoying their summer break in private, but released a heartwarming video yesterday to congratulate Team GB on their efforts in the Paris Olympics as this year's Games drew to a close.
"From all of us watching at home, congratulations to Team GB," Princess Catherine said in the video filmed from their Norfolk country home. "Well done on all you've achieved. You've been an inspiration to us all," added William.
While the focus of the clip, posted on their Instagram account, was on Team GB's success, many couldn't help comment on the Prince's facial hair!
The history of William's beard
William rarely ever sports a beard in public. The last time he did so was at Christmas in 2008 when he joined the royal family for the traditional church service at Sandringham.
While William and his father King Charles have grown out their facial hair in the past, in general, male royals tend to favour a clean-shaven appearance. Queen Elizabeth II reportedly asked William to shave off his beard while he was on a military secondment.
Royal and military rules
Up until recent months, soldiers were not permitted to grow their facial hair while in the British Army. The guidelines were relaxed in March and beards and moustaches must be neat, properly groomed, and are routinely checked.
Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force has permitted its personnel to sport facial hair since 2019, while the Royal Navy has allowed beards and moustaches for years.
Prince Harry revealed in his memoir Spare that he asked his late grandmother for permission to sport a beard on his wedding day in 2018. He said that William "bristled" when he explained that keeping his beard made him feel calmer.
Harry claims that William told him: "Not the done thing, he said. Military, rules, so forth."
The brothers spent a week disagreeing "in person, on the phone," before William admitted that his grievance with Harry's facial hair was because he wasn't allowed to keep his.
So, it appears the future King only lets his stubble grow out when he's on holiday and not making regular public appearances.
What do you think of William's bearded look? Have your say in the poll below and please do expand in the comments!
