Prince William sports a new beard, reviving memories of past tensions with Prince Harry.
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, recently unveiled a new look that has caught the public’s eye. For the first time since 2008, William has been seen sporting a beard, a rare departure from his usual clean-shaven appearance. This new look was revealed during a video appearance with his wife, Princess Kate, in support of Team Great Britain as the 2024 Paris Olympics came to a close.
William’s decision to grow a beard is not just a simple change in appearance; it carries with it echoes of past tensions within the royal family, particularly with his younger brother, Prince Harry. The last time Prince William was seen with facial hair was over 15 years ago, during the Christmas season of 2008. At that time, his beard was met with surprise, but it didn’t last long. Since then, William has mostly kept to a clean-shaven look, likely influenced by his service in the Royal Air Force, where beards are not permitted.
The appearance of William’s new beard has brought back memories of a significant moment in the royal family. In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry recounted a tense exchange between himself and William over facial hair. The tension arose in 2018, just before Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle. Harry, who had grown a beard during a charity trek to the South Pole in 2013, had become accustomed to his scruffy look. By the time his wedding day approached, he was determined to keep his beard, which he described as a “security blanket.” Meghan had never seen him without it, and Harry was adamant that he did not want her to be greeted by a “total stranger” at the altar.
However, this decision was not without its complications. In the British Army, where Harry served, beards are not allowed, and he would be wearing an armed forces uniform for the wedding. This meant that Harry had to seek special permission from Queen Elizabeth II to keep his facial hair for the big day. According to Harry, this was no small request, given the military regulations and royal protocols. Fortunately for him, the Queen granted her approval, allowing Harry to walk down the aisle with his beard intact.
But not everyone was pleased with this decision. Prince William, who had once been in a similar situation, was reportedly unhappy with the Queen’s decision. William, who had sported a beard after a stint with the Special Forces, was told to shave it off upon his return. This left him feeling that Harry was being granted a privilege that he had been denied. The tension between the brothers was palpable, with William reportedly telling Harry to “shave it off,” which Harry refused to do.
This small but significant moment is one of many anecdotes that highlight the complex relationship between the two brothers. While facial hair may seem like a trivial matter, in the context of royal life, it became a symbol of deeper issues and unspoken tensions. The brothers’ relationship has been under intense scrutiny in recent years, especially following Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from their royal duties and their subsequent move to the United States.
William’s recent decision to grow a beard may be a simple personal choice, but it also serves as a reminder of the intricate dynamics within the royal family. The fact that William has chosen to revisit a look that once caused friction between him and Harry suggests a possible shift in his own personal or public image.
Beyond the family dynamics, William’s new look has sparked interest because it deviates from the traditional appearance of royal men. Historically, British kings and princes have mostly been clean-shaven, with a few exceptions. William’s father, King Charles, and his grandfather, Prince Philip, both experimented with facial hair on occasion, but they usually kept a clean-shaven appearance in public. Philip, for example, grew a beard during a solo tour in 1965, and when he returned, Queen Elizabeth playfully greeted him by wearing a fake beard herself, along with others in the royal entourage.
As William steps into his role as the future king, his choice to sport a beard might be seen as a subtle way of expressing his individuality within the confines of royal tradition. Whether this new look will become a permanent feature or just a passing phase remains to be seen, but for now, it has certainly grabbed attention and stirred memories of a time when a simple beard was at the center of a royal family rift.
In a world where every detail of royal life is scrutinized, even a beard can carry significant meaning. William’s new look is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a nod to the past, a potential sign of change, and a reminder that even the smallest choices can resonate in the corridors of power.
