Kate Middleton gives an unexpected reaction to Prince William's beard

Prince William's facial hair has sparked plenty of conversation, but what does Kate Middleton really think about it?

The Prince of Wales, 42, has been making headlines with his new beard, and on St. Patrick’s Day, the Princess of Wales, 43, finally weighed in on his look during an official royal engagement.

Princess Kate attended the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade at Wellington Barracks in London, where she celebrated with the Irish Guards.

After sharing a Guinness toast in the sergeants' mess, she was overheard lightly joking about William’s facial hair.

"These trends come and go," she remarked. "I was saying to my husband, I'm not sure how long he’s going to keep his for."

While Kate's comment remained diplomatic, a former royal aide offered a more direct take on her opinion.

In a February 2025 interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Jason Knauf, who previously worked closely with the Prince and Princess of Wales, revealed: "If she didn’t like it, it wouldn’t be there. I could tell you that."

Prince William first experimented with a beard during the Christmas holidays in 2008, though the look didn’t last long. Unlike his brother, Prince Harry, who has regularly worn a beard since 2015, William has typically stuck to a clean-shaven look—until now.

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