Prince William's recent appearance with a beard in November 2024 created quite a stir among royal watchers, marking the first time in a decade he'd sported facial hair. The public reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with social media buzzing with excitement. One TikTok video featuring the Prince's new look, set to No Doubt's "Just a Girl," garnered nearly a million views, with fans commenting on how attractive he looked with his beard.
Jason Knauf, a former adviser to the Wales family, provided insight into Catherine's thoughts on William's facial hair, which he had been sporting since the summer. According to Knauf, the beard's presence itself was evidence of Catherine's approval, stating simply that "if she didn't like it, it wouldn't be there."
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Catherine's attraction to William has been documented throughout their relationship, particularly during a memorable moment at his Sandhurst graduation ceremony on December 15, 2006. The passing out parade marked William's completion of the 44-week commissioning course, where he graduated alongside 232 other cadets to become a second Lieutenant in the household cavalry's Blues and Royals. Catherine, then working as an accessory buyer for Jigsaw, attended with her parents Michael and Carole Middleton.
During the ceremony, Catherine was captured on camera expressing her admiration for William in his military uniform. Dressed in a striking scarlet coat and an elaborate Philip Treacy black hat, she was seated in the front row when lip readers caught her whispering to other guests, "I love the uniform. It's so, so sexy," before dissolving into giggles. Her outfit was completed with sophisticated black leather gloves by Serbian designer Evica Milanovic, featuring intricate cutout details.
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William, then 24, cut an impressive figure in his blue uniform, complete with hat, white gloves, and a scarlet sash. As a special honor, he carried the Queen's Banner during the parade and wore a jubilee medal given to him by the Queen to commemorate her 50 years on the throne.
While Catherine may appreciate William's current bearded look, not everyone in the family was initially convinced. In a November 7 interview, William revealed that his daughter, Princess Charlotte, aged 9, wasn't fond of his facial hair when he first grew it. When a reporter commented that the beard gave him a relaxed appearance, William contested this observation, noting that 2024 had been far from relaxing for him, making the perception particularly interesting.
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The topic of royal facial hair has apparently been a source of contention between the princes. In his memoir "Spare," Prince Harry recounted receiving special permission from the late Queen to keep his beard for his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle. This was particularly noteworthy as Prince William had reportedly been denied the same privilege for his own wedding. Harry described how William became furious upon learning of this dispensation, even after being reminded by Prince Michael of Kent about historical precedents for bearded royals at weddings.
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This fascinating glimpse into royal family dynamics shows how even seemingly simple matters like facial hair can become significant topics of discussion and debate within the monarchy. The public's continued interest in these personal choices reflects the enduring fascination with the royal family's public image and private preferences, particularly when it comes to their appearance and personal style choices.
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