Prince William Jokes About Shaving Beard for Moustache During Army Visit
The Prince of Wales, William, playfully threatened to shave off his distinctive beard in favour of sporting just a moustache during a visit to troops in Wiltshire today. The Prince, who famously grew his much-discussed facial hair in the summer of 2024, made the humorous remark while admiring the neatly trimmed moustaches of soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment at Bulford.
Facial Hair Trends in the Modern Army
Stroking his own face, the future King quipped: 'I might end up taking mine off and leaving a tash.' He was informed by Lieutenant Jack Austin, aged 23, that the moustache trend had begun when the battalion was serving in Estonia last year. William noted that the style is 'creeping in now,' reflecting on the British Army's updated regulations from March 2024, which now permit soldiers to maintain neatly-groomed facial hair.
During his comprehensive visit to Bulford, the Prince was given a demonstration of the latest military training techniques. This included an innovative exercise utilising drones to assist with building clearance operations, showcasing how modern technology is integrated into traditional infantry tactics.
Engaging with Soldiers and Their Families
The Prince also took time to meet with the families of service personnel, sharing light-hearted moments that highlighted the human side of military life. One mother, Maxine Debonnaire, 63, left William laughing after jokingly complaining that she had barely seen her son since his return from Estonia because he had been on so many dates. 'I think we'll get on very well,' William told her warmly, placing an arm around her as her 26-year-old son, Lieutenant Harris Debonnaire, laughed and confirmed he had indeed taken her out for Mother's Day.
In the Officers' Mess, the Prince joined officers, soldiers, and families of B Company to hear detailed accounts of their recent six-month deployment to Estonia as part of Operation Cabrit. This mission represents the United Kingdom's contribution to NATO's Forward Land Forces stationed in Estonia and Poland. William praised the unwavering dedication of service families and shared his own experiences, comparing notes about the bitterly cold weather he encountered during his visit to Estonia in March 2025.
Observing Advanced Training and Recognising Service
Moving through four tables of families to engage in conversation, the Prince also entertained small children by asking if they had discovered the 'very big chocolate cake and cookies' available. He dedicated time to meet with the female network within the Army, inquiring about the progress made for women in the service and discussing what further steps are necessary to advance equality and inclusion.
As Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, William observed a live training exercise at the urban training facility. Wearing ear defenders for safety, he watched as infanteers used training weapons to simulate clearing a makeshift building—which he humorously remarked looked a bit like a 'bouncy castle'—while drones flew overhead to provide enhanced visibility for the troops.
Curious about the skills required, he asked drone operatives: 'How long did it take you to become a master of this?' They responded that proficiency with video games often translates well to operating the drones, to which William nodded appreciatively. He commended the exercise for its creativity and for developing practical skills the regiment had acquired during their deployment.
Following the demonstration, the Prince engaged with participants, inquiring about their morale, whether they were enjoying their service, how they were keeping busy, and what he could do to support them. To conclude the visit on a high note, William presented three Long Service and Good Conduct medals to deserving soldiers and posed for a commemorative photograph with the gathered families, reinforcing the strong bond between the monarchy and the armed forces.
