Skip to main contentSkip to footer

6 times Prince William looked studious and suave wearing spectacles

The Prince of Wales usually wears contacts to support his poor eyesight, but occasionally steps out in glasses

Prince William wearing glasses
Georgia Brown
Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer
Share this:

The Prince of Wales rarely wears glasses in public, but the royal has actually admitted his eyesight has become progressively worse as he's got older. 

The father-of-three opened up about his sight in BBC documentary Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health, revealing that his poor vision is actually an asset when it comes to managing anxiety. "My eyesight started to tail off a little bit as I got older, and I didn't used to wear contacts when I was working, so when I gave speeches I couldn't see anyone's face," William said.

HRH Prince William reads his matchday programme during the Barclays Premier League match, Blackpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Prince William only occasionally wears his glasses in public

"And it helps, because it's just a blur of faces and because you can't see anyone looking at you - I can see enough to read the paper and stuff like that - but I couldn't actually see the whole room. And actually, that really helped with my anxiety," he continued.

Prince William, 41, prefers to wear contact lenses, but there has been the odd occasion where he's stepped out sporting a pair of spectacles - and he certainly suits the Clark Kent aesthetic (if we do say so ourselves). Scroll on to see all the times the Prince of Wales has rocked a pair of glasses in public…

LOOK: Royals rocking chic sunglasses: Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle & more

Prince William plays polo at Coworth Park on May 31, 2015 in Ascot, England.
Prince William plays polo at Coworth Park on May 31, 2015 in Ascot, England.

Prince William wore a pair of sporty glasses, or polo goggles, to take part in the Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park in 2015. 

The father of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis often wears glasses when he's driving, presumably to help enhance his long-distance vision for safety reasons.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Australia v Wales match during the Rugby World Cup 2015 at Twickenham Stadium on October 10, 2015 in London, England.
Prince William needed his glasses to watch the rugby with wife Kate in 2015

Prince William was spotted in the crowd of the Australia v Wales match during the Rugby World Cup 2015 with his wife, Princess Kate. The royal made sure to wear his square spectacles to ensure he didn't miss a single try in the nail-biting match.

Prince William donned his glasses to drive his family to Buckingham Palace
Prince William donned his glasses to drive his family to Buckingham Palace

The future King doesn't always forgo his contacts when driving, but he did on Christmas Day in 2016 when driving his family through London to attend a lunch at Buckingham Palace hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Prince William looks on from the stand during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road on November 20, 2010 in Blackpool, England. © Getty
Prince William wears glasses during a Premier League match in 2010

 Prince William looked especially studious rocking a pair of wire-frame specs to watch the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers back in 2010. The then 28-year-old Prince looked cool and casual in an oversized fleece and baseball cap.

 SEE: Princess Kate's cool-girl university outfits that turned Prince William's head

Glasses were essential for the Prince to watch the races at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013. Looking dapper in a navy suit, William accessorised with rectangular frame spectacles and a red silk tie.  

READ NEXT: 12 times King Charles rocked glasses: Sunnies, rave shades & more

Don't want to miss a story? Sign up to The Royal Life newsletter to get your weekly dose of royal lifestyle inspiration.

More Royal Style

See more