RadarOnline.com reports that Prince William’s recent joke about growing a bushy mustache has left Catherine, the Princess of Wales, “mortified.” Insiders suggest she is worried the look might make him resemble a “cheesy 70s porn star.”
The 43-year-old heir to the throne made this light-hearted remark during a visit to the Mercian Regiment at Picton Barracks in Bulford, Wiltshire. There, he met soldiers who had just returned from a six-month NATO deployment in Estonia.
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A Mustache for Prince William?
Prince William visited the Mercian Regiment at Picton Barracks in Wiltshire.
During the visit, William dressed in full camouflage and a regimental beret as Colonel-in-Chief. He engaged with officers and their families, observed training, and discussed military life. The topic of facial hair came up in a joking exchange with officers in the mess.
Lieutenant Jack Austin from South Manchester, who sported a mustache, remarked, “It started in Estonia – a few of us officers grew mustaches and it snowballed from there. I brought it up when I was chatting to the prince, and he said, ‘Maybe I should get rid of the beard and just have the mustache.'”
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‘Kate Was Absolutely Mortified’
The Princess of Wales felt mortified by the idea of the new facial hair.
While the comment initially sparked laughter, it has reportedly caused some concern within the palace. An insider revealed, “Kate was absolutely mortified when she heard about the idea of a porn star-style mustache on William. She has always disliked that look and thinks it would completely change William’s image in a way she finds deeply unappealing.”
The source added, “She has joked that he would look like a cheesy 1970s porn star if he went through with it, and it is not something she would support. For her, it crosses the line from playful into something that feels out of step with how she sees him. She is just praying he does not follow through.”
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Prince William addressed the Army’s zero-tolerance policy on unacceptable sexual behavior.
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The facial hair discussion occurred as William engaged with military personnel, including conversations with female soldiers about their experiences in the Army and its zero-tolerance policy on unacceptable sexual behavior (USB).
Captain Maria Bell commented: “The Army’s moved forward a lot over the past couple of years as regards the USB policy that’s come out and signposting.”
She further explained, “The USB course is great, it’s there, but more education, more training around that, to chains of command, to within units, not just a tick-box exercise… I think more investment needs to go into the training, education around the subject, what’s inappropriate, what’s not, just so it’s very transparent, no grey areas.”
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The Prince confirmed his support for Aston Villa during a chat about sports.
William also engaged with Maxine Debonnaire and her son, Lieutenant Harris Debonnaire, discussing his love for sports and confirming his preference for football over rugby, along with his support for Aston Villa.
Harris, who also had a mustache, mentioned that his facial hair began during the Movember campaign and “just grew on me.”
This visit was part of William’s ongoing involvement with the armed forces, including previous trips to Estonia where he met the same unit during their deployment.
Although the mustache comment was intended as a joke, it has apparently led to significant reactions at home, with Catherine reportedly hoping it remains a mere jest.
