Prince William has decreed a new aesthetic era with the debut of a scruffy new beard and, let’s just say, the people are on board. The beard has now made not one, not two, but three *very thirsty* appearances. Safe to say, we haven’t been this sexually confused by a royal since Dominic West played Prince Charles in The Crown.
Prince William first showed off the surprisingly unkempt look when he appeared in an Olympics video alongside Princess Kate, Snoop Dogg and David Beckham,
The video, which celebrated ‘Team GB’ (the UK Olympic team), was shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account. “Well done on all you achieved, you’ve been an inspiration to us all,” spoke William. But with the greatest respect to royals and Olympians alike, the message was a little upstaged by William’s hunky prince in his new dad era.
“What a sight!” wrote one commenter in respect to William’s new facial hair. “William with a tan and a beard!!!! 
” shared another in a comment that was liked over 3000 times. “William, please keep growing that beard!!” wrote another alongside a heart emoji. “Here for Will’s stubble” and “Love the scruff W!” the comments continued.
There was an undeniable thirst for the royal, who has long outgrown his reputation as the cute, fresh-faced prince who once made a brief appearance in The Princess Diaries 2.
Since then, the scruffy stubble has made a reappearance, this time at an exhibition held at the Saatchi Gallery in London.
Once again, royalists are losing their minds over the look, with X flooded with comments like, “The beard is back!” and “I demand Prince William apologise right now for being so hot.”
While the stubble certainly stole the show, others remarked on William’s tan, which could be thanks to Kate and Will’s summer holiday away from public duties. Adoring royal followers also commented on the Duchess looking healthy and lovely (as always), with many glad to see the Princess doing well amid her ongoing cancer treatment.
Now onto The Beard’s third major appearance…
We mean… come on! “With all due respect Your Highness the Prince of Wales, you are just taking our breath away with this beard pls keep it,” wrote one commenter on the photo of William looking particularly tanned and handsome in his military regalia. One glimpse through the comments section proves the sentiment was shared.
This time, the Prince appeared on behalf of his father, King Charles, at the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Air Force College in Lincolnshire.
Wherever it will appear next, we can only say Prince William’s beard is giving us (and the monarchy) life!
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
