2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (William Morgan, Gemma Strong)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Royal fans have been more than enthusiastic about Prince William's new bearded look, which he unveiled this summer.
The Duke of Cambridge’s decision to keep his beard seems to have charmed legions of admirers, but was not as popular at home. However, not everyone is smitten with his hirsute appearance. Princess Charlotte’s initial encounter with her father’s beard evoked quite the dramatic response.
During a post-visit interview in Cape Town this November, William disclosed: "Charlotte didn't like it the first time. I got floods of tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back.
I thought, hang on a second and I convinced her it was going to be okay." READ MORE: Kate Middleton to make life-changing decision over Prince George's future An interviewer remarked on how the Prince’s beard projected a 'relaxed' vibe, to which William responded with a touch of irony: "It's interesting you say that, because I couldn't be less relaxed this year, so it's very interesting you're all seeing that," in light of a challenging year marked by serious health concerns for both his wife, Princess Kate, and his father, King Charles. "But it's more a case of just crack on and you've got to keep going," he concluded.
But the topic of beards and other facial hair among top members of the Royal Family has long been contentious. Prince Harry revealed that his brother, Prince William, was "jealous" of Harry's ability to keep his beard for his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, reports the Mirror . The Duke of Sussex asked the late Queen for permission to sport his facial hair while wearing military uniform on the special day—a request that was apparently denied to William for his marriage to Kate in 2011.
Speaking to ITV's Tom Bradby, Prince Harry recalled: "I think William found it hard that other people told him to shave it off, and yet here I was on my wedding day wearing military uniform, no longer in the military, but thinking as though I – believing as though I - should shave it off before my wedding day." This incident, which Harry terms 'beardgate', is also detailed in his explosive memoir, 'Spare'. He explained his unusual request to his grandmother, saying, "And yet I now dared to make another ask – Granny, please, may I, for my wedding, keep my beard? Not a small ask either.
A beard was thought by some to be a clear violation of protocol and long-standing norms, especially since I was getting married in my Army uniform. Beards were forbidden in the British Army." Upon learning that Harry had received the Queen's approval, William allegedly became quite upset, as Harry quotes him: "You put her in an uncomfortable position, Harold! She had no choice but to say yes.
" The disagreement between the brothers reportedly escalated over more than a week, ending with William insisting that Harry should shave. The Duke revealed his response was: "For the love of God, Willy, why does this matter so much to you? 'Because I wasn't allowed to keep my beard.' Ah, there it was.
After he'd come back from an assignment with Special Forces, Willy was sporting a full beard, and someone told him to be a good boy, run along and shave it. He hated the idea of me enjoying a perk he'd been denied.".
