Harry's Wedding-Ready Shave

There was much speculation in the lead-up to Prince Harry's wedding about whether he would shave off his beard. As a Captain in the British Royal Army, there is a rule that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair. However, Harry broke the rules and kept his beard for his wedding to Meghan Markle—although it was neatly trimmed for the occasion. Harry's great-grandfather, King George V, also sported a beard during his time in the Army, so Harry is not the first royal to bend the rules.

Prince Harry's wedding day beard

Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018 broke records for the number of viewers tuning in to watch the ceremony. While much of the attention was on the bride, there was also a lot of interest in the groom's grooming routine.

Harry, a Captain in the British Royal Army, was expected to wear his military uniform at his wedding, as his brother, Prince William, had done at his nuptials in 2011. However, there is a longstanding rule in the British military that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair.

Harry's beard was a signature part of his look, and it was widely debated whether he would shave it off for his wedding. His brother, William, had reportedly told him to shave it off, and there was speculation that Harry would comply with the military rule. However, Harry ultimately chose to keep his beard, albeit neatly trimmed and closely groomed.

This decision broke with tradition and caused some controversy, as it went against the military's regulations. However, it was not the first time a royal family member had chosen to keep their facial hair. Harry's great-grandfather, King George V, was often seen with a beard despite his role in the Army.

The debate surrounding Harry's beard sparked discussions about the etiquette of facial hair and whether men should be clean-shaven for formal occasions. Ultimately, the decision to keep his beard reflected Harry's personal preference and modernised the royal family's traditional image.

Harry's brother, William, wanted him clean-shaven

Harry's brother, William, wanted him to be clean-shaven for his wedding to Meghan Markle. This was because Harry was expected to wear his military uniform at the wedding, and there is a longstanding rule in the British military that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair.

Harry, who served two tours of Afghanistan, was a Captain in the British Royal Army (aka Her Majesty's Army). As such, it was assumed he would abide by the military's rules and be clean-shaven for his wedding. However, Harry ultimately decided to keep his beard, albeit neatly trimmed and closely groomed.

In an interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, Harry revealed that he asked permission from the Queen to keep his beard for his wedding. He suggested that his brother, William, was unhappy with this decision. Harry's choice to keep his beard sparked a debate about the etiquette of facial hair, with some people on social media insisting he should have been clean-shaven for such a high-profile event, while others argued it was down to the groom's personal preference.

Despite breaking the military's rules, Harry is not the first royal family member to do so. His great-grandfather, King George V, was often seen with a beard despite his role in the Army. Ultimately, Harry's decision to keep his beard for his wedding was a personal choice that sparked varying reactions from the public and highlighted the ongoing discussion surrounding facial hair etiquette in formal settings.

Harry asked the Queen for permission to keep his beard

Prince Harry's decision to keep his beard for his wedding sparked a lot of debate and discussion. As a Captain in the British Royal Army, there is a longstanding rule that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair. Since Harry wore his military uniform at his wedding, many expected him to shave his beard, a signature part of his look that his bride, Meghan Markle, had always known him to have.

However, Harry chose to break with tradition and keep his beard, albeit neatly trimmed and closely groomed. This was not the first time a royal family member had chosen to keep their facial hair, as Harry's great-grandfather, King George V, also had a beard despite his role in the Army.

Harry revealed that he asked permission from the Queen to keep his beard for his wedding, indicating that his brother, William, had expressed his preference for Harry to be clean-shaven. Harry shared that he believed he should shave his beard before his wedding day, as he was wearing a military uniform, but ultimately chose to keep it.

Etiquette advisor Elizabeth Wyse commented on the situation, stating that while there is no traditional compulsion for men to be clean-shaven on formal occasions, the issue is tied to the military. She acknowledged that the British Army has banned beards since 1916, but made an exception for the Navy, where beards are a longstanding tradition.

Wyse also noted that members of the royal family who are expected to wear uniforms on ceremonial occasions do occasionally wear beards, even if they are retired from service. She agreed that Harry likely asked the Queen for permission to keep his beard as a courtesy.

In conclusion, Prince Harry's choice to keep his beard for his wedding sparked a debate about royal grooming etiquette. By seeking the Queen's permission, Harry acknowledged the importance of the matter while ultimately deciding to maintain his signature look, neatly trimmed, for his wedding day.

The military rules on facial hair

There are varied rules on facial hair in the military, which differ across countries and branches of the armed forces. In the UK, the British Army, Royal Marines, and Royal Air Force generally allow moustaches only. Beards are allowed for medical or religious reasons, such as for Sikhs or Muslims. Moustaches must be "neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy", and "not below the line of the lower lip".

In the US, the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps generally prohibit beards for the majority of recruits, mainly for hygiene reasons and to ensure a good seal for chemical weapon protective masks. However, there are exceptions for religious reasons, such as for Sikhs, Muslims, and Jewish people. The US Navy has also allowed beards for aesthetic reasons, with nearly all tattoos, including on the neck and sleeves, permitted since 2016.

In India, male Sikh servicemen are allowed to wear full beards due to religious requirements. Non-Sikh personnel are allowed to grow moustaches and whiskers, with the only regulation being that they are of "moderate length". Muslims in uniform were allowed to grow beards until a 2018 Supreme Court ruling reversed this decision. In the Pakistani Army, beards are allowed only if a special request is approved, usually for religious or health reasons.

The Austrian, Belgian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Estonian, Greek Navy, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, Swiss, and Turkish Armed Forces permit moustaches and beards, as long as they are neatly trimmed.

The IDF prohibits facial hair unless a special request form has been approved, for religious, health, or "free will" reasons. In the Israeli Navy, beards are always allowed.

The Lebanese Armed Forces only permit trimmed moustaches that do not pass the upper lip, and soldiers are paid a special allowance for this.

The Iraqi Armed Forces banned beards in 2012 due to associations between beards and sectarian militias in the country. Under Saddam Hussein, only moustaches were permitted.

The Syrian Army does not allow beards, but trimmed moustaches are permitted.

The South Korean Armed Forces do not permit beards, but the Navy makes an exception for full-set beards.

The Finnish Defence Forces prohibit the growing of moustaches, beards, or long hair. Reservists can grow moustaches, beards, or long hair.

The French Armed Forces allow beards or moustaches only when soldiers are out of uniform. In the Foreign Legion, sappers and those participating in the Bastille Day parade are encouraged to grow beards.

The German military generally only permits small, neatly trimmed moustaches. An exception is made for U-boat crews on active duty, who are expected to shave off facial hair soon after reaching port.

The Brazilian Army, Navy, and Air Force permit moustaches, as long as they are trimmed above the upper lip. Beards are generally not allowed except for special exceptions, such as covering a deformity.

The Australian Army does not allow beards unless for medical or religious reasons. Moustaches may be worn but not grown past the ends of the top lip. In the Royal Australian Navy, serving members may grow a beard with the approval of their commanding officer. As of November 2022, the Royal Australian Air Force also permits beards with commanding officer approval.

The Canadian Armed Forces allow beards upon completion of the first phase of training or after a certain period of service. However, commanders can order restrictions on beards for safety and operational reasons.

The Chilean Armed Forces allow moustaches for all permanent personnel but do not permit beards or sideburns.

The Mexican Armed Forces do not permit beards or sideburns, and soldiers of any rank must be clean-shaven and short-haired.

Harry's great-grandfather, King George V, wore a beard

King George V, born George Frederick Ernest Albert, was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 1910 until his death in 1936. As a younger son of the Prince of Wales, there was little expectation that he would become king. However, the unexpected death of his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, in 1892 put him directly in line for the throne.

King George served in the Royal Navy from 1877 to 1892 and continued to be associated with the Navy throughout his life. He was an avid stamp collector and took a keen interest in naval training reforms. He was also known for his support for greater involvement of Indians in the government of India and his opposition to racial discrimination.

King George V's reign was marked by significant political and social changes, including the rise of socialism, communism, fascism, Irish republicanism, and the Indian independence movement. He played a crucial role in establishing the House of Windsor, changing the name of the British royal house from the German-sounding House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha during World War I.

Despite his role in the Army, King George V was often seen with a beard, setting a precedent for Prince Harry's decision to keep his beard for his wedding.

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