Royal fans were left in awe after Prince William showed off a “beautiful” beard as he appeared in a star-studded message to Team GB alongside his wife, the Princess of Wales.
Standing beside Kate, the Prince of Wales, 42, looked unusually rugged, sporting an unshaven appearance as he praised British Olympians ahead of the end of the Paris Olympics.
The Princess, who continues to undergo treatment for cancer, looked radiant in her latest appearance in a special video filmed for Team GB which featured a host of high-profile figures.
But some royal fans couldn’t take their eyes off William and his beard, with one person writing on X: “Prince William with his stubble is sexy.”
This is not the first time the Prince has grown a beard: in 2008 he made hearts beat faster by growing a beard for parties, claiming that strangers did not recognise him.
Royal fans were left in awe after Prince William showed off a “beautiful” beard as he appeared in a star-studded message to Team GB alongside his wife, the Princess of Wales.
Some royal fans couldn’t take their eyes off William and his beard, with one person writing on X: “Prince William with his stubble is sexy.”
And despite having assured on Christmas Day that he would shave it off, the fluff remained for several weeks.
Fans were left furious with William’s latest appearance with a beard. One person wrote: “Keep the beard Prince William. Handsome.”
A third added: “I love Prince William’s beard,” while a fourth said: “William please keep growing your beard!”
Meanwhile, William and beards hit the headlines last year after his brother Prince Harry, 39, claimed in his explosive memoir Spare that the brothers argued over facial hair.
He said the Prince of Wales told him to shave his beard before his wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018.
Harry explained that he had to ask his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, for permission to grow a beard for his wedding, a privilege that was not granted to William when he married Kate Middleton in 2011.
Harry was the first royal to marry with a beard in 125 years. The last royal to do so was George V, Queen Victoria’s son and Harry’s great-great-grandfather. He sported a beard during his wedding to Princess Mary of Teck in 1893.
As it is customary to be clean shaven when wearing an army uniform, the groom was expected to have shaved before his wedding ceremony.
It’s not the first time the Prince has grown a beard; in 2008 he set hearts aflutter by growing a beard for the festive season, claiming that strangers didn’t recognise him.
Reaction: Fans were left furious with William’s latest appearance with a beard. One person wrote: “Keep the beard Prince William. Handsome.”
British Army soldiers and officers were only allowed to grow full beards after King Charles gave his approval in March 2024, allowing military chiefs to end the more than 100-year ban.
However, when his grandmother gave Harry permission to keep his facial hair, William was “furious”.
Harry reported that his brother told him: “You put her in an awkward position, Harold. She had no choice but to say yes.”
She added that William “wouldn’t let it go” and that the argument continued “in person, on the phone, for over a week.”
It all culminated, according to Harry, when William ordered him to shave his beard.
Harry said he replied: “For God’s sake, Willy, why does this matter to you so much?” “Because I wasn’t allowed to keep my beard.”
The Duke concluded, “Ah, there it was. After returning from a mission with the Special Forces, Willy was sporting a full beard, and someone told him to be a good boy and shave it off. He hated the idea of me enjoying a benefit he had been denied.”
In the short clip released yesterday to mark the closing of the Paris Olympics, Kate said: “From all of us watching at home, congratulations to Team GB.”
The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB shirt, added briefly: “Well done Team GB, you have been an inspiration to us all.”
In a companion post on social media on their account, the royal couple said: ‘Well done @teamgb what an amazing journey!
Harry explained how he asked his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, for permission to have a beard on his wedding day
Prince Harry said Prince William would not let the issue go because he had not been allowed to have facial hair for his own wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011 (pictured)
‘All the athletes showed enormous dedication, heart and passion. They made us very proud!
‘We’re here to celebrate every triumph at @paris2024 and look forward to seeing more of @paralympicsgb_official later in the summer.’
In the video, former England captain David Beckham also sent a message of support: “Hello Team Great Britain, we are so proud of you, congratulations.”
Presenter Gabby Logan said: “You’ve been amazing. Thank you so much for everything. These memories will last a long time.”
Retired American sprinter and broadcaster Michael Johnson said: “Good job Team GB, you did a great job, not as good as us in the US, but well done.”
Former Welsh athlete Colin Jackson beamed with joy as he told the Olympians: “You did brilliant.”
Presenter Emma Willis said it had been “amazing watching you over the last few weeks”.
Swimmer Rebecca Adlington was full of praise for the British team: “Their performances have been absolutely fantastic.”
Former jockey and presenter Clare Balding said: “I know how much you’ve lifted the nation and I just want to say thank you for that.”
Rapper Snoop Dogg, who has been presenting for US broadcaster NBC at the Olympics, also appears in the star-studded video.
Former US sprinter Michael Johnson, who has been presenting for the BBC at the Olympics, said Team GB had done a “good job, although not as good as the US”, while former heptathlon champion and now presenter Jessica Ennis-Hill said: “Well done, Team GB.”
In a post on social media, the royal couple spoke about Team GB’s “incredible journey”
American rapper Snoop Dogg, who has been a popular presence at this year’s Olympics as a special guest presenter for American broadcaster NBC, completed the video.
With his usual smile and casual demeanor, he said: “Thank you, Britain. On behalf of Snoop Dogg, the Prince and his lovely wife,” before clasping his hands and bowing his head.
Kate and William’s radiant video came shortly after an emotional statement from King Charles III, in which he called all Olympians “an inspiration.”
The monarch congratulated the winners for their “outstanding successes” and He highlighted her “raw talent, her true courage and her hard work” in the message, which came just hours before the final moments of the Olympic Games in the French capital.