King Charles was not always 'clean shaven': This is what he looked like with a beard

King Charles kept a beard in the 70s and was even pictured supporting his beard at many events. Here’s why he did it!

King Charles was not always 'clean shaven': This is what he looked like with a beard
© Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributeur
King Charles was not always 'clean shaven': This is what he looked like with a beard

For as long as anyone can remember, we all have seen King Charles in a clean-shaven look always. ALWAYS!!! However, his smoothly-shaven face is not a look that he always supported. Pictures from the 70s show that the monarch had a full Navel beard that he kept as his ‘signature’ look for a while.

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After the monarch, both his sons - Prince William and Prince Harry have supported beards. In fact, Prince Harry’s ‘signature’ look is one with a beard that looks wildly similar to King Charles’ look in the 70s.

King Charles with a beard in his younger days

A young King Charles picture in beard shows him wearing a smart, checked blazer with a matching flat cap, white shirt and trousers. The monarch looked like ‘every inch of a country gentleman’ at the Badminton Horse Trials, confirmed W&H magazine.

The King looks strikingly similar to his youngest son - Prince Harry - in the pictures from that time. He is understood to have supported his bearded look at a service at Westminster Abbey as well. This comes as the monarch served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976 and like any other ex-army man, he kept his beard as well. Many Royal fans believed he looked much better in the beard and should’ve kept it. Confused as to why he shaved off his beard, one fan commented:

How did he not keep it? Looks like proper English landed gentry.

Another two added:

He sort of looks like his son the Duke of Sussex here. It's really cool. This is a good find
He looks waaaaay better with a beard!!!

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Why did King Charles have a beard in the 70s?

According to My London, King Charles’ long-forgotten bearded look was an attempt to disguise his identity while on Naval exercises in Alaska in 1975. Regulations for the British Army state:

Beards and whiskers are only to be worn with authority, which will usually be granted only on medical or religious grounds, or where tradition permits.
The appearance of the beard and whiskers is to be neat and tidy. Sideburns are not to descend below the mid-point of the ear and are to be trimmed horizontally.

It is not known if King Charles still grows a beard during his ‘no-public appearances' break.

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Sources Used

Woman & Home: We just stumbled across this photo of King Charles with a full beard and to be quite honest, we're digging it

My London: Long forgotten King Charles pictures show he once grew a bushy beard and looked exactly like Prince William when he did the same

King Charles III: Here’s who he wants to look after him when he’s ‘very old’ King Charles III: Here’s who he wants to look after him when he’s ‘very old’