King Charles' long-forgotten transformation with bristling moustache


His Majesty has experimented with rugged beards over the years, see a photo that has royal fans talking from 50 years ago where the King looks so different


King Charles in suit close up© Getty Images
Phoebe Tatham
Phoebe TathamNews and Features Writer
Updated: May 6, 2026
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King Charles has rocked an array of bristling looks over the years!

While the monarch has long sported a clean-shaven look, Charles once flaunted a rugged beard reminiscent of his father, Prince Philip, circa 1945.

Prince Charles sporting a beard at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1976 © Getty Images
Prince Charles sporting a beard at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1976

But did you know that His Majesty once also experimented with a moustache in the 1970s? Bidding farewell to his clean-shaven aesthetic, the father-of-two grew out a bristling pencil tache that has since caught on with myriad A-listers, including Brad Pitt and Henry Cavill.

While there are limited snapshots of the monarch modelling his moustache, Charles was photographed with his head-turning facial hair back in 1975 as he was installed as Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in Westminster Abbey.

Charles once rocked a bristling moustache! © Getty Images
Charles once rocked a bristling moustache!
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In the rare photo, Charles looked every inch a modern-day Prince Charming dressed in his smart military gear and a rippling red cape. While the royal's dapper outfit certainly took centre stage, Charles' glossy brunette locks and striking facial hair had us doing a double-take!

Charles wearing ceremonial robes after being installed as a Great Master of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath © Getty Images
Charles wearing ceremonial robes after being installed as a Great Master of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath

Meanwhile, the royal's facial hair from the 1976 Badminton Horse Trials has some fans. An unearthed photo recently went viral online, amassing an incredible 3.6 million views on X, in which Charles sported a smart naval beard to match his head of thick brunette hair. 

young king charles with a beard© Getty Images
The then-Prince of Wales sported a naval beard as he attended the Badminton Horse Trials 50 years ago

Like father, like son

Charles' beard has later been adopted by his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The future king has dabbled with beards over the years, famously stepping out on Christmas Day in 2008 with a bristling look, and more recently this month during a visit to The Saatchi Gallery.

prince William smiling with green hill backdrop© Getty Images
Prince William now sports a beard

Royal fans were quick to share their thoughts on social media, with one writing: "William's beard is back, and he's never looked better!" while a second noted: "So handsome!!"

Prince Harry, meanwhile, opted for a bearded look when he tied the knot with Meghan Markle back in 2018. His decision to rock facial hair opposed military protocol, which requires those who don the Blues and Royals uniform to sport a bare face.

Prince Harry and Meghan waving from carriage on wedding day© Getty Images
Harry asked the late Queen for permission to keep his beard for his wedding

As a result, the Duke of Sussex had to get permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. "I didn't want [Meghan Markle] coming down the aisle and seeing a total stranger," Harry wrote in his memoir Spare, explaining the reason he asked the Queen's permission to keep his beard.

The Duke of Sussex also revealed William's thoughts on his beard. "Ah - there it was," Harry penned. "After he'd come back from an assignment with Special Forces, Willy was sporting a full beard, and someone told him to be a good boy, run along, and shave it. He hated the idea of me enjoying a perk he'd been denied."

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