In a surprising move, Prince William stepped up to support King Charles just two hours after the monarch revealed that doctor’s orders were preventing him from undertaking some royal engagements. King Charles provided a rare health update during a meeting with New Zealand’s women’s rugby team at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday evening. As previously reported, doctors had given the king the green light to travel, marking his first long-haul trip since his cancer diagnosis. However, it’s now clear that some adjustments have been made to accommodate his health.
It’s customary for a royal tour to Australia to also include New Zealand, but King Charles III’s first trip Down Under as monarch will instead feature a stop in Samoa this October. Extra time has been built into the schedule for the king to rest between engagements and travels. Given the long journey halfway across the world, these measures are being taken to help maintain his energy levels throughout the tour.
Meanwhile, Prince William’s latest public appearance stirred controversy on a different issue. First, the iconic guards of King Charles III, known for their striking red uniforms and tall black bearskin caps, are at the center of a debate due to the rising cost of their attire, adding to taxpayers' concerns. These caps, traditionally made from black bear fur, have now reached a staggering price of over £2,000 each. Recent figures, released in response to a freedom of information request from animal welfare campaigners, revealed that the cost of these caps has surged by 30% in just one year. The sharp rise is due to changes in contractual agreements for sourcing the caps, which are made from bears hunted in Canada. In 2022, each bearskin cap cost £1,500, a figure that has now increased to £2,000 in 2023. Despite the controversy, the Ministry of Defence remains committed to finding a suitable alternative, though the transition appears far from straightforward.
Royal fans were also in a frenzy today as Prince William made an appearance at an official royal engagement, sporting a new beard and military uniform. The event included graduates from the Commissioned Warrant Officers Course and Modular Initial Officer Training Course. Fans quickly flocked to social media to share their opinions on William’s beard, sparking a surprisingly fierce debate. Some royal watchers claimed the prince looked dashing and handsome, while others expressed their dislike.
Conspiracy theories even started to swirl, with some fans speculating that William was trying to look more like his brother Harry. A more far-fetched theory suggested that the 42-year-old was channeling his inner David Beckham, with whom King Charles shares a close relationship. “Here for the beard comments,” someone wrote, while another remarked, “With all due respect, Your Highness, the Prince of Wales, you are just taking our breath away with this beard.”
Many fans echoed these sentiments, with comments like, “William looks even more handsome with a beard,” and “He needs to keep the beard because he’s very dashing.” However, not everyone was happy to see the Prince of Wales sporting facial hair at this royal engagement. One fan pleaded, “Please, you’re a king in waiting,” while others compared him to Harry, stating, “Your brother grows a better beard,” and “William, shave it off—it makes you look old.”
Whether the prince decides to keep the facial hair or retire it from public life remains to be seen. In recent years, Prince William has faced pressures from multiple fronts, both personal and societal. The continuous media criticism, especially following the exit of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, has put William in an awkward position. He must balance his public duties while keeping his family intact.
William’s recent responsibilities include acting on behalf of the crown, supporting charities, and undertaking diplomatic trips both within Britain and internationally. These duties, along with the ongoing public scrutiny, show just how much weight the future king carries as he prepares to take on an even greater role in the monarchy.
