CHIN-SPIRING SERVICE
Prince Harry ‘given permission by the Queen to have a beard for his wedding’
PRINCE Harry was given special permission from his grandmother the Queen to keep his beard for his wedding.
The request was made as it is customary to be clean-shaven when dressed in Army uniform.
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Both Prince Harry – the newly appointed Duke of Sussex – and his brother the Duke of Cambridge wore the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals for this morning’s ceremony at St George’s Chapel.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "Her Majesty The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform."
It is understood that the permission covered the fact that Harry has a beard.
According to historian Hugo Vickers, permission may also have been granted because Harry has retired from active service.
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British Army rules do not usually allow beards, except in rare circumstances, such as because of skin complaints, or for religious reasons.
Pioneer Sergeants are the only rank allowed to have a beard, although members of the Special Forces can when behind enemy lines.
As Prince Harry is no longer a serving officer, military rules may not apply to him.
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How the Royal Wedding has unfolded so far...
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sealed their marriage with a kiss after a groundbreaking modern Royal Wedding
- Following the ceremony the couple were whisked away in a carriage for the Royal Procession
- Meghan stunned in a Givenchy gown with a 15ft veil embroidered with flowers
- The Queen wore a green coat and hat for the ceremony as Philip, 96, walked unaided after recent hip op
- Princess Charlotte and Prince George melted hearts with their outfits for the big day
- But Kate raised eyebrows with her 'cream' coloured gown
- At the ceremony American Bishop Michael Curry stole the show with an eccentric speech
- Celebrities including George and Amal Clooney, the Beckhams and Oprah Winfrey were among the guests at the wedding
- Up to 150,000 people swarmed the streets of Windsor to get a view of the newly married couple
- Prince Harry and Meghan became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their marriage
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Historically, a bearded royal bridegroom is a rarity, with Harry the only member of the current Royal Family to sport facial hair on his wedding day.
The last time a Royal to keep a beard for their big day was in fact the Queen's grandfather, George V, when he married Mary of Teck.
Hugo said: "Theoretically the Army don't like it which is why at one point he took the Salute at Sandhurst in a suit."
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In December, Harry wore a dark suit and overcoat, with medals on the outside, when he represented the Queen and inspected graduating officer cadets at the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Camberley, Surrey.
The newly appointed Duke wore a frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals ranked to major, with large gold embroidered crowns, at this morning’s ceremony.
It was revealed today that at some point after leaving the Army in 2015, Harry was promoted to the rank of major - an honour bestowed by the Queen.
It is the Queen's prerogative that senior members of the royal family are promoted in line with their peers because they hold royal military appointments.
Harry left the armed forces in June 2015 and was first spotted with a beard in September the same year.
He kept his beard when he wore a military dress coat at the Cenotaph last November – a move which prompted criticism from some quarters.
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