Prince William brings back ‘summer beard’, Prince Harry slammed over video

Prince Harry has been slammed for releasing a video on the same day his brother Prince William returned to royal duties.

The beard is back.

Prince William has returned to royal duties just days after coming face-to-face with estranged brother Prince Harry – and he brought back his much-discussed facial hair.

Fresh from a northern summer break with his family, the prince attended the Homelessness: Reframed exhibit at the Saatchi Gallery in London. The presentation was created with the Eleven Eleven Foundation and the royal’s Homewards campaign, which aims to end homelessness in the UK.

Prince William has brought back the beard. Picture: AFP

Prince William speaks to one of the artist during the Homelessness: Reframed exhibition in London. Picture: Getty Images

For the occasion, the 42-year-old stepped out with what has been described as “summer stubble.”

While the father of three is known to go clean-shaven, he sported a beard for the first time in eight years in recent weeks when he and his wife congratulated Team Great Britain for their success at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Prince William showed off a bit of scruff. Picture: AFP

The future King has been rocking facial hair in recent weeks. Picture: AFP

William met with artists at the “Homelessness: Reframed” exhibition. Picture: Getty Images

"Homelessness: Reframed" brings to life the breadth and complexities of homelessness. Picture: AFP

The facial hair was gone when the heir to the British throne was spotted driving to Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle in Scotland on August 25.

His visit to the exhibition comes after both Prince William and Prince Harry attended a memorial of their uncle Lord Fellowes, the late husband of their aunt and Princess Diana’s older sister Jane, last week.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry has been slammed for releasing a new heartfelt clip on the same day his brother returned to work after his summer break.

The Duke of Sussex shared an emotional video discussing “healing and saving lives” in anticipation of the 2025 Invictus Games, set to take place in Vancouver, Canada.

The video was posted on social media platform X, coinciding with Prince William, 42, resuming his royal responsibilities.

#InvictusGames Patron and Founder, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, appears in a new video released for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

"Sport has the ability to heal, to change lives and to save lives," - Prince Harry.#WeAreInvictus#IG25#PrinceHarrypic.twitter.com/LM9zOAb3iD

— ChrisBaronSmith (@ChrisBaronSmit1) September 5, 2024

“Sport has the ability to heal, to change lives and to save lives.

“For so many of these competitors, getting to the start line has been one of the hardest moments of their life.

“But at the Games, their lives are changed. Watching these magical moments happen, and sport being the facilitator of that, is very, very special for all of us to witness.”

Prince William was back to work after a summer break. Picture: AFP

The prince appeared in good form during a gallery visit in London. Picture: AFP

Some royal watchers questioned the timing of Harry’s video in light of his brother’s well-publicised engagement.

Royal News said on social media platform X: “Posted within a couple of hours of Prince William’s first royal engagement this fall. So not cool Invictus.

“Don’t play the cosplay royal games. Do better.”

Another said: “Always chasing his brother!”

Prince William was back to work in London. Picture: AFP

However, some people praised his work.

One said: “Inspiring stories, inspiring people, inspiring music, #InvictusGames is a truly life-changing experience for all, with Prince Harry at the helm. There is no wonder it goes from strength to strength.

“His commitment to fellow veterans is sincere & heartwarming.”

Another added: “Wow … we are looking forward to seeing the athletes in action!!”

The brothers have barely spoken in years, and currently have no contact, even choosing to sit apart from each other with different groups of cousins while attending the service.

William previously sported a beard for a Christmas Day church service in 2008.

He typically remains clean-shaven, partly due to his time in the Royal Air Force, where facial hair is forbidden, People magazine previously reported.

His younger brother, Harry, has consistently worn a beard for years, first growing it out in 2013.

In his memoir, Prince Harry said his brother was unhappy that he was allowed to keep his beard on his wedding day to Meghan Markle. Picture: Getty Images

In his memoir Spare, Harry claimed that his beard had caused tension with his older brother.

He recalled asking his late grandmother for permission to keep his facial hair for his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle.

Harry claimed it was “not a small ask” as beards were forbidden in the British Army, and he would be wearing his armed forces uniform for the big day.

The Duke of Sussex said his facial hair was a “security blanket” and his wife-to-be had never seen him without one.

Prince William had an awkward run-in with his brother at the funeral of their uncle last week. Picture: AFP

“I didn’t want her coming down the aisle and seeing a total stranger,” the 39-year-old said in his controversial memoir.

While his grandmother allowed it, Harry claimed William “bristled” when he found out, ordering his sibling to “shave it off”.

Harry wrote that when he asked William why he was bothered by their grandmother’s permission, his older brother replied, “Because I wasn’t allowed to keep my beard.”

Ah — there it was,” the Duke of Sussex wrote.

“After he’s come back from an assignment with Special Forces, Willy was sporting a full beard, and someone told him to be a good boy, run along and shave it. He hated the idea of me enjoying a perk he’d been denied.”

Originally published as Prince William brings back ‘summer beard’, Prince Harry slammed over video