Royal wedding: Why Harry was given permission from the Queen to sport beard

Prince Harry was given special permission from the Queen to sport facial hair while wearing uniform.
Prince Harry was given special permission from the Queen to sport facial hair while wearing uniform. Picture: Getty ImagesPrince Harry was given special permission from the Queen to sport facial hair while wearing uniform. Picture: Getty Images
Prince Harry was given special permission from the Queen to sport facial hair while wearing uniform. Picture: Getty Images

It is customary to be clean-shaven when dressed in Army uniform.

Both the newly-appointed Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals during Harry’s wedding to former Hollywood actress Meghan.

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In a statement, Kensington Palace said: “Her Majesty The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform.”

It is understood that the permission covered the fact that Harry has a beard.

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Historian Hugo Vickers said the permission may also have been granted because Harry has retired from active service.

British Army rules do not usually allow beards, except in rare circumstances, such as because of skin complaints, or for religious reasons.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony. Picture: PA WirePrince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony. Picture: PA Wire
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony. Picture: PA Wire

Pioneer Sergeants are the only rank allowed to have a beard, although members of the Special Forces can when behind enemy lines.

Harry is, however, no longer a serving officer and therefore military rules may not apply to him.

A bearded royal bridegroom is a rarity. Indeed none of the current Royal Family sported facial hair on their own wedding days.

But the Queen’s grandfather, George V, did have a beard when he married Mary of Teck.

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Mr Vickers said: “Theoretically the Army don’t like it which is why at one point he took the Salute at Sandhurst in a suit.”

In December, Harry wore a dark suit and overcoat, with medals on the outside, when he represented the Queen and inspected graduating officer cadets at the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Camberley, Surrey.

“But on the other hand if you think back to King George V, who had a beard, obviously he was Admiral of the Fleet but he was also a Field Marshall and he often wore Army uniform with a beard,” Mr Vickers added.

“I think if you’ve retired from the Army you probably do need somebody’s permission to wear your old uniform.

“But I think the statement covers all those possibilities.”

Harry’s uniform revealed that some time after leaving the Army in 2015 he was promoted to the rank of major, an honour that was bestowed by the Queen.

The prince wore a frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals ranked to major, with large gold embroidered crowns.

It is the Queen’s prerogative that senior members of the royal family are promoted in line with their peers because they hold royal military appointments.

Harry left the forces in June 2015 and was first spotted with a beard in September the same year.

He had a beard when he wore a military dress coat at the Cenotaph last November, which prompted criticism from some quarters.