As summer draws to a close for the royal family and they reintegrate their official duties into their daily lives, the Windsors are leaving sun, sand and – apparently – beards behind. According to Hello!Prince William and Princess Catherine were spotted on a surprise trip to the Balmoral estate.
I have to talk about Prince William’s new beard
The couple drove to Crathie Kirk Church to attend a church service over the weekend. Kate sat in the passenger seat wearing a beige tartan coat, a feather fedora hat and a pair of gold drop earrings. William, dressed in a blue blazer and white shirt, drove his wife and son Prince George to Sunday service. But we noticed he was missing a new addition – his summer beard – as he was photographed clean-shaven during the drive.
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We first noticed Prince William’s rugged look when he and Princess Catherine congratulated the British Olympic team, dubbed Team GB, as well as Snoop Dogg and other celebrities like David Beckham on Instagram. When the men of the royal family grow out their beards, it’s usually a sign that they are “off duty,” or stepping away from the public eye for a time when they are not carrying out their royal duties and obligations to their normal extent. William first appeared with this more casual-looking beard during the family’s summer vacation, which he, Princess Catherine and their three children spent mostly at Anmer Hall in Norfolk. The young family was able to visit the beach and attend local celebrations away from the spotlight that comes with “duty.”
Now that Prince William and his family are back to the daily grind of royal duties, in true Windsor fashion, the Prince has decided to shave off his summer beard (probably to the disappointment of fans who loved his new look) in order to look more dignified and elegant in the fall and winter. Like his brother Prince Harry and his father King Charles, William has sported a beard in the past (though it was obviously short-lived).
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This visit to Balmoral is the Princess’ first appearance at the Scottish church since she announced her cancer diagnosis in March this year. King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, James, Earl of Wessex and Sir Tim Laurence accompanied the couple and Prince George during the visit. So you could say it was a family outing.
It has also been confirmed that Prince William will undertake his first official royal duty of the year on September 5, when he visits the Saatchi Gallery’s latest exhibition, ‘Homelessness: Reframed’, which will feature a number of artists. The Prince will meet those involved and hear first-hand some of the stories that inspired the project.
Prince William will resume his royal duties very soon – and we already have details of his first engagement
