The absence of the Princess of Wales from the British royal agenda in 2024 made us pay closer attention to her husband, Prince William, who took on many of her duties while she recovered from illness. In the process, we saw him adopt a much more relaxed look—swapping tailored suits for sneakers and field jackets. But one thing that really stands out in King Charles III’s son’s new appearance is his beard. Rougher? More casual? More attractive? Let’s break down what’s behind his new style.
Kate’s take on Prince William’s look
When it comes to Prince William’s new bearded look, it turns out Kate has the final say. According to Jason Knauf, a close confidant and former advisor to the couple, the beard wouldn’t be around if Kate wasn’t a fan. As he put it in an interview with Australia’s 60 Minutes: “If she didn’t like it, it wouldn’t be there. I can assure you.” So, beard approved.
Charlotte didn’t like it at first
The British media has praised the heir to the throne’s new look, calling it flattering and modern. But at home, his daughter wasn’t a fan at first. When he grew the beard over the summer, Prince William said, "Charlotte didn’t like it the first time. I got floods of tears; the first one I got tears, 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.”
Prince William’s decision to grow a beard has marked a big shift in his style, giving him a more modern look. And it’s not just the beard—his wardrobe has gone through a major change too. The classic, traditional style the Windsors are known for is evolving, led by the heir to the throne, who’s proving to be something of a trendsetter—just like his mother.