Franklin Dean
In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry revealed that his brother, Prince William, ordered him to shave his beard before his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. Harry, who served as a Captain in the British Royal Army, was expected to wear a uniform on his wedding day, per tradition. However, he chose to keep his beard, breaking military rules that prohibit facial hair for troops in uniform. Harry sought permission from Queen Elizabeth, who gave him the go-ahead, despite his brother's objections. This incident highlights a dynamic between the brothers, with Harry alluding to his position as the Spare to William's role as the Heir.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Prince Harry shave for his wedding? | No |
| Reason for not shaving | There is a longstanding rule in the British military that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair. However, Harry broke the rules and kept his beard for the wedding. |
| Permission to not shave | Harry sought permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, to keep his facial hair for his wedding. |
| Prince William's opinion on Harry not shaving | William "ordered" Harry to shave for his wedding. |
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What You'll Learn
Prince Harry's beard was a topic of debate before his wedding
Prince Harry's brother, Prince William, had reportedly "ordered" him to shave his beard before the wedding. In an extract from his memoir, Spare, Harry wrote that William was livid when Queen Elizabeth gave him permission to keep his facial hair. Harry told his brother that "his opinion didn't really matter" due to the Queen's decision, but William raised his voice and accused Harry of putting their grandmother in an "uncomfortable position".
Harry also believed that William was bothered by the idea of him enjoying a "perk" that he had been denied, as the Prince of Wales "wasn't allowed" to keep his "full beard" after returning from military duty. Despite the speculation and his brother's protests, Harry ultimately chose to break the rules and keep his beard for the wedding, albeit nicely trimmed and more closely groomed than usual.
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Harry sought permission from the Queen to keep his beard
In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry writes that he sought permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, to keep his beard for his wedding to Meghan Markle. Harry writes that his brother, Prince William, "ordered" him to shave his beard off before the wedding, as Harry would be donning his uniform for the wedding, and there is a longstanding rule in the British military that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair.
Harry's decision to keep his beard caused some controversy, as he was breaking the rules of the British military. However, he was not the first royal to do so. Harry's great-grandfather, King George V, was often seen with a beard despite his role in the Army.
In his book, Harry writes that William was livid when the Queen gave him permission to keep his beard, saying that his opinion "didn't really matter". Harry also writes that William raised his voice and accused him of putting the Queen in an "uncomfortable position".
Despite the controversy, Harry ultimately decided to keep his beard for the wedding, albeit trimmed and closely groomed. This decision sparked speculation and debate in the lead-up to the wedding, as most of the attention had been on Markle and her wedding outfit.
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Harry's brother, Prince William, ordered him to shave
In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry revealed that his brother, Prince William, ordered him to shave his beard off before his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle. Harry wrote that William was bothered by the fact that their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, gave him permission to keep his facial hair for the wedding. Harry recalled that he told William that his opinion didn't matter since the Queen had already given her approval. However, he noted that William raised his voice and accused him of putting their grandmother in an uncomfortable position.
Harry also shared his surprise at William's hair loss when he returned to the UK for their grandfather, Prince Philip's funeral. He wrote that he found his older brother's thinning hair "alarming" and more "advanced than mine". Harry added that William's resemblance to their late mother, Princess Diana, had "faded".
The tension between the brothers continued, with Harry writing, "He wouldn't let it go. At one point he actually ordered me, as the Heir speaking to the Spare, to shave. Are you serious?" Harry believed that William was upset because he thought the Queen had a "soft spot" for him. Additionally, William "wasn't allowed" to keep his full beard after returning from military duty or get married in his chosen uniform, while Harry could.
Harry eventually stood his ground, stating, "Finally, I told him flatly and defiantly that his bearded brother was getting married soon, and he could either get on board or not. The choice was up to him." Harry's decision to keep his beard for the wedding caused some controversy as he is a Captain in the British Royal Army, and there is a longstanding rule in the British military that troops in uniform cannot have facial hair. However, Harry chose to break the rules, opting to keep his nicely trimmed beard for his wedding day.
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Harry's wedding attire was kept a closely guarded secret
Harry's brother, Prince William, had reportedly "ordered" him to shave, and was livid when Queen Elizabeth gave Harry permission to keep his facial hair. Harry told William that his "opinion didn't really matter" due to the Queen's decision, but William raised his voice and accused Harry of putting their grandmother in an "uncomfortable position".
Harry eventually put his foot down, stating that his "bearded brother was getting married soon, and he [William] could either get on board or not". Harry also pointed out that William "wasn't allowed" to keep his "full beard" after returning from military duty or be married in a uniform of his choosing, as Harry could.
The tailor and client relationship is typically hidden under confidentiality agreements and discretion, adding to the mystery of Harry's wedding attire.
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Harry's hair loss was the result of an Eton school prank
In his memoir, "Spare", Prince Harry revealed that his hair loss was the result of an Eton school prank. The Duke of Sussex wrote that he made a "supremely stupid" decision when he allowed his classmates to shave his head as a prank. According to the prince, his hair never fully recovered from the incident, growing back unevenly with some strands standing up like summer grass while others stuck to his head like lacquered hay. This earned him the nickname "Spike".
The prince's iconic ginger locks, once known for their thickness, began to disappear, with Harry himself acknowledging the change. In his memoir, he also mentions his brother, Prince William's hair loss, which he found alarming and more "advanced" than his own. Harry's hair loss has sparked speculation and discussion among fans, with some attributing it to male pattern baldness and the "Windsor baldness gene".
While Harry's hair loss may have been accelerated by the prank, it is important to note that male pattern baldness is a genetic disorder influenced by the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This process has an adverse effect on hair follicles, leading to a receding hairline, thinning hair, and eventually, hair production stopping altogether.
In his memoir, Harry also mentions a dispute with his brother regarding his beard. Harry writes that William "ordered" him to shave before his wedding to Meghan Markle, which caused tension between the brothers. Harry sought permission from Queen Elizabeth to keep his facial hair, which she allowed, causing further friction with William.
The dynamic between the brothers, as described by Harry, plays into the "'heir-spare' dynamic", referencing their positions in the line of succession. Harry's memoir and interviews have sparked much discussion and revealed insights into his life, including the impact of his Eton school prank on his hair loss.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Prince Harry did not shave his beard for his wedding to Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry is a Captain in the British Royal Army, and there is a rule in the British military that states troops in uniform cannot have facial hair. However, Harry broke the rules and kept his beard for the wedding.
It is unclear whether Prince Harry wanted to shave for his wedding. However, his brother, Prince William, "ordered" him to shave, and Harry sought permission from Queen Elizabeth to keep his facial hair.
Yes, Prince Harry has shaved his beard in the past. For example, he wore a suit instead of his uniform when he took the parade at Sandhurst because he "doesn't like" to wear his Royal Horse Guards uniform with a beard.
It is unclear whether Prince Harry ever grew his beard back. However, he has been known to sport facial hair while in his Blues and Royals uniform.
