'I agree with Prince Harry - I wouldn't have swiped for my husband beardless'
Prince Harry has opened up about the importance of his beard in his tell-all memoir, but reveals that his brother Prince William allegedly disapproved of the facial hair for his wedding day.
The Duke, whose autobiography Spare was published in the UK on Tuesday, said the stubble felt "like a shield to my anxiety" and "the new Harry".
Many outraged beard-wearers can resonate with Harry, including Peter Janicwicz, who hasn't been without a beard for the past seven years. Even his wife, Aimee Pearce, admits she likely wouldn't have matched with him online if he'd been without it.
Prince Harry said his beard is "like a shield" (AFP/Getty Images)
Prince William once sported a beard on Christmas Day in 2008 (WireImage)Peter, 45, started growing his full ginger beard after a stint of not shaving and realised how comfortable he felt with the new image, and it is now too part of his identity.
Although he accepts being clean-shaven might have be the tradition for a royal wedding, he never thought twice about removing it for his big day and argues no one should.
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The pair, from Sheffield, met on online dating app Bumble, and not so long after, Peter proposed to Aimee on a deserted beach in Mull of Scotland, while they were on a camper van tour around Scotland.
They then tied the knot last March.
Aimee, 35, said: "I've only seen a photo of him [Pete] without a beard and I didn't recognise him.
"When you meet on a dating app, you go off pictures and his beard was very apparent."
Laughing, Aimee, a personal trainer, added: "I'm not sure I would have swiped him if he didn't have a beard. It suits Pete."
In the only UK interview to promote his book, Prince Harry spoke to ITV's Tom Bradby where he detailed how he asked for permission from the Queen to keep his beard for his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018.
Aimee says Pete wouldn't be Pete without his beard (Aimee Pearce)
Shaving his beard was never discussed for their wedding day because it's what makes Pete feel comfortable (Aimee Pearce)Harry first started growing a beard in 2013 when he completed a charity trek to the South Pole with Walking With The Wounded, while Prince William briefly sported a beard in 2008.
Although the Armed Forces had strict rules around facial hair while in uniform, which Harry wore to his wedding, he claimed the Queen had been accepting about keeping it, unlike his brother - who he says ordered him to shave it off.
But this would have made him feel uncomfortable, he said, while Meghan wouldn't have recognised him.
It may seem trivial to some, but Harry became the first royal in 125 years to walk down the aisle with a beard.
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Speaking about whether Aimee and Pete had to think about Pete being bare-faced for their big day, Aimee said: "I absolutely do not agree with [what was allegedly said by] William.
"We didn't even have a discussion about his beard regarding the wedding. Neither of our family or friends have expressed that they don't like Pete's beard, as they know it's part of him and accept him for him.
"Pete takes great pride in his beard and I don't think he would ever consider shaving it off, no matter what anybody thought about it. I love his beard."
The couple tied the knot in April 2022 with rings they designed (Aimee Pearce)Pete added: "Being clean-shaven for a wedding is irrelevant now.
"We don't live in a society where we force people to do things in a certain way anymore, it just seems out of sync with the rest of the society.
"It's not what the wedding is about. It shouldn't have any impact. It really doesn't matter but because they're in the spotlight it's become a thing".
Pete said the springboard for his new appearance came after moving jobs and having a break from work at Easter time in 2016.
He'd had a week off from shaving and realised how bored he'd become of getting rid of the stubble every other day.
Although Pete still works in the corporate world, working as a learning partner and personal development coach, he argues times have moved on and that people should embrace beards.
He admits that it's still a talking point for office water cooler moments but he isn't judged for it with it being well-maintained.
"Sometimes people see the beard first before the person," he said.
"The bigger it gets the more comments you get about it generally. I am conscious of it in a corporate environment.
"But I make sure I keep it groomed and keep my hair short.
"We live in Western society, present yourself with what is authentic to you."
To express their individuality, Aimee and Pete opted for bespoke rings to celebrate their engagement and wedding with Jessica Flinn Designs.
Do you also resonate with Prince Harry's comments? Or do you think he should have been clean-shaven for his wedding? Let us know in the comments.
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