Prince William Returns to Royal Duties After Summer Break with Kate Middleton—And He's Rocking a Fresh New Beard

It’s only the second time in recent weeks that Prince William has been spotted with some stubble.

If you remember, he first showed off his scruffy look back in the beginning of August when he and Middleton shared a video congratulating Team Great Britain on their Paris Olympics success. It was the first time in eight years we’ve seen him with a beard, and the internet went wild.

But in true royal fashion, the facial hair didn’t last long. By August 25, when the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen heading to church near Balmoral Castle, the beard was gone, leaving fans to wonder if the scruff was just a summer thing.

Fun fact: It’s a bit of a royal tradition for the men in the family to grow facial hair when they’re “off-duty” or on a break from official engagements. Prince Harry, for instance, has been sporting his signature scruff for years. Even King Charles embraced facial hair in his younger days.

So, William’s more laid-back look matched the vibe of his family’s low-key summer holiday at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, where they enjoyed beach days and local events away from the spotlight.