PRINCE William made a “poignant” gesture showing his “pride” in wife Princess Kate in a sweet video message, according to a body language expert.
The Wales couple shared a video on Sunday evening in which they congratulated Team GB ahead of the 2024 Olympics closing ceremony in Paris.
They were joined by the likes of Snoop Dogg, David Beckham and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill in the compilation shared on their social media platforms.
But the Prince of Wales’ uncharacteristic beard – grown as he takes time off with his family – was all fans could talk about.
One commented: “Pardon me ladies… I need to cool down. Prince William looks so handsome with a bit of facial stubble.”
Expert Judi James told The Sun William’s beard, while allowing him to look “terribly rugged”, also signifies he is currently focusing on his role as a family man rather than needing his clean-shaven look seen on royal duties.
Ms James said he is clearly “dedicating himself totally to time off” with his wife and their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
She said: “It looks even more telling that it is Kate who takes the lead in this clip, just as she often used to before her illness.
“She speaks first and uses the animated, emphatic gesticulation to send out the stronger message of pride in Team GB.”
Ms James went on to say: “Kate rewards us with her signature, symmetric smile here that suggests warm, regal pride in the team while William’s clamped lips and puckered smile also hints at pride in his wife as she steps into the lead again here.”
The expert noted how William was spotted “standing beside but slightly behind Kate, looking terribly rugged”.
Royals growing out beards is not uncommon, with King Charles, as well as Prince Philip and Prince Andrew all having sported them at different times – often during military service.
While Prince Harry consistently has a beard or designer stubble, and has done for several years.
Speaking about William’s stubble, Ms James said: “William’s rugged beard looks like a poignant nod to the last time he was seen sporting one, which was back in 2008 when he was celebrating being reunited with Kate after their four-month break-up.”
She added that it could be a “similarly symbolic form of celebration” now that Kate is “back at his side in public again” after her health scares.
She said he is rocking “not just chin hair but a glimpse of some chest hair emerging from that open-neck shirt, too”.
“He seems to have shaved his head hair shorter but more than compensated with his beard, which also signals the fact that he has been taking his family time really seriously and dedicating himself totally to time off with his wife and children,” Ms James continued.
She went on to explain that most of the Windsor men “have dabbled with facial hair, knowing a hirsute look can emphasise masculinity”.
Ms James, however, believes William’s beard is more modern and in line with younger brother Prince Harry‘s designer stubble.
She said: “Charles and Philip tended to opt for a more classically nautical type of beard but William seems to have chosen a more modern version that is similar to the style his brother sports.
“It implies both strength, support and toughness here as well as showing the kind of off-duty vibe that defines him in a new role as dedicated husband and dad under extraordinary circumstances.
“It sends out reassuring signals that he has ‘got this’, with a suggestion of dedication and putting Kate’s needs first.”
King Charles hails competitors as Paris Olympics come to an end
The King has sent a message to mark the end of the Paris Olympics, congratulating competitors and describing them as “an inspiration”.
The statement from Charles was released ahead of the closing ceremony on Sunday evening.
The King’s message reads: “My wife joins me in sending our warmest congratulations to the competitors and their support teams from Team GB and across the whole Commonwealth, for their many outstanding successes at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“Your achievements, across so many disciplines, were forged from that invaluable combination of raw talent, true grit and hard toil over many years, burnished these past weeks by sportsmanship and team spirit in the finest tradition of the Games.
“To those who missed out on the greatest prizes, you have most certainly not fallen short in the pride that you, too, have generated for your nations.
“As we thank France for hosting such a wonderful tournament and look to the Paralympics ahead, I can only say that you have all been an inspiration.”
