The Princess of Wales delighted Irish Guardsmen and their families with a rare and candid remark about Prince William’s beard during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Wellington Barracks on Monday.
Kate joined the soldiers in the Sergeants’ Mess after generously covering the bar tab, allowing them to fully enjoy the festivities.
Elegantly dressed in a bottle-green coat and matching hat, accessorized with the Irish Guards’ gold shamrock brooch, she engaged in lighthearted conversations with attendees.
During the gathering, the Princess spoke about her family’s move from London to Windsor, explaining, “We are in Windsor at the moment. We were in London but moved there for more green space. It’s close enough to London, not too far away.”
However, it was her playful comment about Prince William’s facial hair that drew the most attention.
While chatting with section commanders, Kate touched on the future King’s beard, hinting at her uncertainty over how long he planned to keep the look. “These trends come and go,” she mused. “I was saying to my husband, I’m not sure how long he’s going to keep his for.”
William has sported a beard at different points over the years, particularly during his time in the armed forces. However, he started embracing a more bearded look again in November 2024.
Her remark follows a recent discussion by Prince William’s former communications secretary, Jason Knauf, who shared insights about the beard during a special episode of 60 Minutes Australia.
“I love it. I think it’s great,” Knauf said. “But when I tried to talk to him about it, he just said, ‘It’s here. I have a beard. No further conversation.’”
When asked whether Kate was a fan of the look, he quipped, “If she didn’t like it, it wouldn’t be there. I can tell you that!”
