Is Prince William’s beard here to stay?

Prince William has sported a beard for his recent public engagements, and admirers everywhere are wondering if it’s here to stay. The 42-year-old heir to the British monarchy has always preferred a clean-shaven appearance in the past, as have most members of the royal family in recent generations. Read on for some speculation on what the beard might mean.

Prince William has been clean-shaven for most of his life and was last seen with a beard on Christmas Day 2008, but he shaved again when work resumed in the New Year, according to a report from PEOPLE. Prince William sported stubble again on August 11 this year, but again it was short-lived. However, this new beard has persisted since at least September 5th, leading many reporters to assume that it is intentional and here to stay. Prince William kept his beard short and shaved down to his chin, but it is full on his cheeks.

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Trends and fashion change from year to year and decade to decade, but even when beards are in fashion, public figures often choose to shave their faces because it is believed it will make them appear more trustworthy. For the royal family, it may also be related to the tradition of men serving in the British armed forces. Prince William was reportedly forced to shave his face while serving in the Royal Air Force and may have simply kept the habit afterwards.

Of course, Prince William isn’t treading entirely new territory, as his younger brother sports a beard. Prince Harry grew a beard in 2013 and was the only prominent royal to sport one in the last decade. According to your memoir Savedid not go unnoticed. Prince Harry wrote that he needed to ask Queen Elizabeth II for permission to keep a beard for his royal wedding in 2018, as it was considered inappropriate for him to wear a beard and a military uniform at the same time.

Prince Harry wrote that he saw his beard as a “security blanket,” making him feel more comfortable. He also noted that he had grown just before he started dating his wife Meghan Markle, and she had never seen him clean-shaven in person. Ultimately, he was allowed to keep his beard even at ceremonial events where he also wore a military uniform.

Prince William has yet to comment on his new beard and it’s unclear whether he intends to keep it or why he grew it. Commenters are predictably divided on this new look.