You know what happens to all those who visit other lands for months on end: they return with beards or dreadlocks or long hair or hemp pants or some weird craft-skill – you know, something to suggest that they have been on the road, in the outback, helping orphans and gaining insight into their suburban, egotistic, capitalist lifestyle.

And guys, it’s ok, royals are apparently no different.

In his first public appearance in three months, Prince Harry was determined to tell everyone that he will, from now on, be doing things his way, unbound by tradition. He appeared with some red fuzz on his face and wearing a flight suit to a Battle of Britain memorial flypast at Goodwood Aereodrome (rather than a formal army uniform as might have been expected while attending an RAF event in his official capacity).

As we reported back then, Harry has been taking some time out to take an anti-poaching sojourn in Africa. And when he says he will now be doing things his way, stepping out in a beard is not as innocent as one would think:

Although we have had bearded kings throughout history, the Queen has enforced a strict ‘no beard’ policy throughout her reign. In the past 60 years, the corridors of Buckingham Palace have been little troubled by facial hair.

She is known to loathe beards, like much of her generation, seeing them as little more than the overt expression of a poor morning routine.

In fact, Harry’s grandmother has such an aversion to hairy-faced men that her staff are forbidden to sport them, and there was apparently much frostiness at Sandringham at Christmas 2013 when Harry declined to shave off the facial fuzz he grew on his polar walk.

But the thing is, out of everyone, Royals are the most aware of public symbols. Is this scruff that Harry showed off a slow departure from the royal way of life or a mere laid back look that he is comfortable in for now.

Only time will tell.

[source: thedailybeast]