Why Prince William Was Forced To Ditch His Beard
As the next in line for the throne occupied by his father, King Charles III, the United Kingdom's Prince William — now officially known as William, Prince of Wales — has kept a clean-cut image, literally and figuratively. Although his younger brother, Prince Harry, might be better known for his facial hair, the heir to the throne once had a beard, too, back in 2008 (via Marie Claire). Prince William hasn't rocked the look in some time, however — so did he decide that it simply wasn't the right fit for him? Fans suggested that Prince William looked like King George V after seeing old photos of the beard (via Mirror), so maybe that was why? (Looking like one's great-great-grandfather could be a little awkward.)
There's no reason for the speculation, though, because there is a real explanation behind why Prince William had to shave his beard. Unlike many aspects of the prince's life, it had nothing to do with royal protocol.
Prince William had to shave his beard for the Royal Air Force
According to Marie Claire, Prince William grew his beard before he underwent pilot training for the Royal Air Force (also known as the RAF), which didn't allow facial hair. If he were to start pilot training now, though, it likely wouldn't be a problem. The RAF's guidelines state that personnel can grow full beards as of 2019 (per the Royal Air Force).
Back when Prince William grew out his beard, it was speculated that he had done so to help disguise himself for a military operation (via The Telegraph). He had been involved with the Royal Navy at that time, which did allow for beards, unlike the RAF (via The Telegraph).
Previously, his father, King Charles III, had grown a beard while in the Royal Navy in 1975 (via The Telegraph). Photos of the king with a beard got the attention of internet users in 2020 when comparisons were made between him and his younger son, Prince Harry.
Prince Harry only grew his beard later on
Prince Harry first publicly sported a beard in 2013 (via Hello!). The younger prince has maintained this look since 2015, although some speculated he wouldn't keep it because Queen Elizabeth II had reportedly made him shave his previous beard (via GQ). An unnamed individual commented on the queen's dislike of the earlier beard, "She doesn't mind royal men growing beards when they are away in the armed forces or out in the wild, like Harry was in the Antarctic, but she expects them to be clean shaven when they get home. Royal staff are not supposed to grow beards or mustaches, and she probably thinks it is difficult to enforce that rule when her own grandson has a beard" (per GQ).
It looks as though Prince Harry might have received a pass from his grandmother since he continued to keep his beard even during his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018 (via The Scotsman).