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Prince Harry has always lived under constant scrutiny (something his boo, Meghan Markle, knows all too well since the pair have gone public with their relationship). And unfortunately, the 33-year-old royal is coming under fire again, this time for his facial hair.
Harry donned his British Army uniform for Remembrance Day Sunday service yesterday. While wearing the uniform is customary, since the prince was in the military until 2015, the problem was he was not clean shaven.
According to Daily Mail, it’s a breach of military rules to wear a beard “while on official duty in a British Army uniform.” A currently serving member of the cavalry regiment was disappointed in the prince. The member said, “Prince Harry is letting us all down. There’s no place for beards in the Queen’s cavalry. He should have shaved it off for such an important day.”
There are a few rare circumstances in which the British Army rules allow beards, like when a soldier is suffering from a skin condition or has strong religious reasons for not cutting their hair. Special Forces or other service members on covert operations are allowed to have beards while behind enemy lines, and the Royal Navy allows the style as long as it’s full enough. A select few Pioneer Sergeants have worn beards when on official duty, but the Queen’s personal guard has never been afforded the same privilege.
But since Harry is no longer serving, he isn’t bound by the same regulations. So if he wants to wear facial hair, he has every right. And of course Twitter had to chime in, with many expressing support for the royal.
Oh no! Prince Harry had a beard in Army uniform at the Cenotaph; that’s TOTALLY unprecedented. pic.twitter.com/OrXSydJ3qh
— Owen Richards (@Crennisditic) November 12, 2017
Leave the guy alone ffs, he served in the military with pride and refused a desk job because he wanted to serve on the front line https://t.co/Gygdzum84B
— Chris Thompson (@F1CWT) November 12, 2017
Really don't understand this fury over Prince Harry's beard. We've been there before, many times. pic.twitter.com/WtJrNf5Rkj
— Ned Donovan (@Ned_Donovan) November 12, 2017
I mean, how dare Prince Harry defy royal tradition by not shaving off his beard. Oh wait… Daily Fail. pic.twitter.com/CK522xBzG3
— James Wharton (@jameswharton) November 12, 2017
On Prince Harry and his beard. pic.twitter.com/85S7kwXdze
— Invictus Coverage (@InvictusbyPepp) November 12, 2017
I actually can’t believe Prince Harry’s being shunned for not shaving his beard at a Remembrance Sunday memorial; he’s served his country for years, was present at the memorial and paid his respects pic.twitter.com/uDgdUETmjt
— kathleen (@KathleenMalpas) November 13, 2017
Do you think Prince Harry should’ve shaved his beard? Tell us @BritandCo!
(Photos via Chris Jackson, Mark Cuthbert/Getty)
