When Prince William appeared with a beard for the first time back in November 2024, he sent royal watchers into an inimitable craze. His rugged new look was followed by a hair transformation before the state visit from French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte last year, where the Prince of Wales debuted a new buzzcut.
William has worn his hair shorter ever since; he looked immaculately groomed for his most recent appearance at his uncle Peter Phillips's wedding to Harriet Sperling.
© UK Press via Getty ImagesBuzzcuts have been an on-and-off trend for 26 years, especially since David Beckham debuted the style back in the 2000s.
Jon Hala, a celebrity stylist who has worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kate Moss, called the cut a "clean, masculine and bold look", noting that it's also "one of the easiest cuts to replicate", which certainly helped its trendy status.
Additionally, Luke Sawyer, creative director and hairstylist at Taylor Taylor London, believes it's the "ultimate low-maintenance look" with a persisting popularity for a good reason.
"In recent years, celebrities like Zayn Malik, Kanye West and Timothée Chalamet have embraced versions of the cut, proving its enduring status as a symbol of reinvention and understated power".
© GettyPrince William is the latest to hop onto the craze, perhaps as a part of a gradual image reinvention for his early 40s, which he kicked off with the beard.
Princess Kate has thoughts on her husband's beard
In March 2025, the Princess of Wales made an incredibly rare and candid comment about Prince William's beard during a St Patrick's Day celebration at Wellington Barracks.
While having a conversation with some section commanders in the bar, Princess Kate addressed the son of King Charles' beard, hinting that she was uncertain about just how long he was intending to stick to the look.
© Getty Images"These trends come and go," she said. "I was saying to my husband, I'm not sure how long he's going to keep his for."
It seems she may have underestimated the heir to the throne, as it looks like this style might be here to stay!
Prince William's hair change
Prince William has famously taken a self-deprecating approach to his hair loss. Over the years, he has frequently made jokes about it during public engagements.
© Getty ImagesDuring a visit to the West Midlands, the Prince spotted a woman with striking red hair and told her, "Look at your hair! It's fantastic. Wish I had hair like that. I know, I've not a chance."
While paying a visit to a café run by a homeless charity right next door to a barbershop, William jokingly told the hairstylist, "I don't have much hair, I can't give you much business." On uey another occasion at a barber shop, he quipped, "I don't need a haircut anymore, I just take a razor to it!"
Princess Kate has also joined in on the fun. During a royal tour of Australia back in 2014, the couple was shown a tuft of very fluffy alpaca wool. Kate pointed to William's head and suggested he use it, joking, "You need it more than me." Savage!
