Prince William surprised fans with a fresh look during his first public appearance on Thursday, sporting a beard after his return from Balmoral. The Prince of Wales was seen at the Saatchi Gallery in London, marking his first outing since issuing a statement about resuming royal duties.
The appearance comes amid reports of his recent encounter with his brother, Prince Harry, at their uncle's funeral, though the feuding siblings reportedly did not speak. William’s new facial hair has reminded fans of a previous disagreement between the brothers, with tensions allegedly rising before Harry's wedding over the Duke's refusal to shave his beard.
Some royal watchers speculate that William’s new look might be inspired by his younger brother, particularly after their recent reunion. The Prince’s visit to the gallery coincides with the launch of the Homelessness: Reframed exhibition, part of his Homewards initiative to tackle homelessness in the UK.
William’s Homewards programme, in partnership with Eleven Eleven Foundation and Saatchi Gallery, seeks to use art to shift public perception of homelessness and inspire hope for its eradication. The exhibition runs until September 20.
