Prince William recently shared a lighthearted story about his only daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her strong reaction to his facial hair. The Prince of Wales, who recently visited South Africa, opened up about how Charlotte reacted when he first decided to grow a beard.
When asked if his family liked his new beard, William admitted, “Well, Charlotte didn’t like it the first time. I got floods of tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off.” Despite Charlotte’s initial disapproval, he eventually grew it back. “I thought, hang on a second, and I convinced her it was going to be okay,” he added, highlighting his gentle effort to get her comfortable with his new look.
William also reflected on a much more challenging aspect of his recent experiences, describing this year as one of the toughest in his life. Both his wife, Princess Catherine, and his father, King Charles III, were diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, putting the Prince under immense personal strain.
During his tour of South Africa, he shared, “Honestly? It’s been dreadful.” He went on to explain the difficulty of trying to maintain balance amid these hardships, saying, “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
Despite the challenges, William expressed admiration for his family. “I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done,” he said, acknowledging the strength both Catherine and Charles have shown in facing their health struggles.
He concluded by describing the emotional weight of the past year: “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.” Through the ups and downs, William’s words reflect his pride in his family’s resilience and his own commitment to supporting them through this difficult chapter.
In both personal moments, from comforting a tearful Charlotte over his beard to navigating his family’s health crises, William’s reflections reveal the depth of his dedication as both a father and a son.