Prince Harry's Royal Wedding Beard Is the Ultimate Vote for Formal Facial Hair

Leading up to Prince Harry's royal nuptials to Meghan Markle today, many, from Twitter users to etiquette experts, weighed in on whether or not he would shave his face for the big event. But, as the groom made his way to the ceremony at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle clad in his military garb, he revealed his ginger beard was still fully intact, framing his famous grin as it has for the past five years.

A captain in the British Royal Army, Prince Harry’s decision to keep his scruff, albeit neatly trimmed for the occasion, is a break from tradition per longstanding rules in Britain's military that state troops in uniform cannot wear a beard. But it’s not the first time he's done so in his Blues and Royals uniform, and it's unlikely it will be the last. After all, for men at formal events, especially the red carpet, sporting overgrowth is a burgeoning beauty trend, equal parts individual and modern. Not only did the Duke of Sussex look refreshingly like himself on this memorable day, but his laid-back trim also played perfectly well with his bride's uniquely loose and low chignon. Leave it to British royal family's resident rebel to lead the charge for wedding day whiskers with the whole world watching.

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<h1 class="title">Meghan Markle in Givenchy and Cartier jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Meghan Markle in Givenchy and Cartier jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip

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<h1 class="title">Queen Elizabeth in Stewart Parvin</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Queen Elizabeth in Stewart Parvin

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<h1 class="title">Doria Ragland in Oscar de la Renta</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Doria Ragland in Oscar de la Renta

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<h1 class="title">Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Jessica Mulrone in Di Carlo Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Jessica Mulrone in Di Carlo Couture

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<h1 class="title">Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen

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<h1 class="title">Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan in Erdem</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan in Erdem

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<h1 class="title">Peter Phillips and Autumn Phillips</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Peter Phillips and Autumn Phillips

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<h1 class="title">Princess Anne</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Princess Anne

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<h1 class="title">Princess Eugenie of York</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Princess Eugenie of York

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<h1 class="title">Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy

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<h1 class="title">Charles Prince of Wales and Britain Camilla Duchess of Cornwall</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Charles Prince of Wales and Britain Camilla Duchess of Cornwall

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<h1 class="title">Prince Harry and Prince William</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Prince Harry and Prince William

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<h1 class="title">Serena Williams in Versace and Alexis Ohanian</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Serena Williams in Versace and Alexis Ohanian

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<h1 class="title">David Furnish and Sir Elton John</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

David Furnish and Sir Elton John

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<h1 class="title">Sophie Countess of Wessex in Suzannah</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sophie Countess of Wessex in Suzannah

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<h1 class="title">Sarah Duchess of York</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sarah Duchess of York

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<h1 class="title">David Henson and Hayley Henson</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

David Henson and Hayley Henson

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<h1 class="title">Sarah Rafferty and Santtu Seppala</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sarah Rafferty and Santtu Seppala

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<h1 class="title">Princess Beatrice</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Princess Beatrice

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<h1 class="title">Former British Prime Minister John Major and Norma</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Former British Prime Minister John Major and Norma

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<h1 class="title">Patrick J Adams and Troian Bellisario</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Patrick J Adams and Troian Bellisario

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<h1 class="title">Sir Clive Woodward and Jayne Williams</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sir Clive Woodward and Jayne Williams

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<h1 class="title">Gabriel Macht and Jacinda Barrett</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Gabriel Macht and Jacinda Barrett

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<h1 class="title">Abigail Spencer and Priyanka Chopra in Vivienne Westwood, Philip Treacy hat, Jimmy Choo by Off White shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Abigail Spencer and Priyanka Chopra in Vivienne Westwood, Philip Treacy hat, Jimmy Choo by Off White shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Gina Torres</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Gina Torres

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<h1 class="title">James Corden and Julia Carey</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

James Corden and Julia Carey

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<h1 class="title">Tom Inskip</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Tom Inskip

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<h1 class="title">Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier

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<h1 class="title">Jonny Wilkinson and Shelley Jenkins</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Jonny Wilkinson and Shelley Jenkins

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<h1 class="title">Joss Stone</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Joss Stone

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<h1 class="title">Caroline Greenwood and Will Greenwood</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Caroline Greenwood and Will Greenwood

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<h1 class="title">Clive Woodward and Jayne Williams</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Clive Woodward and Jayne Williams

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<h1 class="title">Rebecca Deacon and Gibraltarian Adam Priestley</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Rebecca Deacon and Gibraltarian Adam Priestley

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<h1 class="title">Elizabeth Spencer, Louis Spencer, Victoria Aitken and Kitty Spencer</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Elizabeth Spencer, Louis Spencer, Victoria Aitken and Kitty Spencer

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<h1 class="title">Tom Parker Bowles</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Tom Parker Bowles

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<h1 class="title">James Haskell and Chloe Madeley</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

James Haskell and Chloe Madeley

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<h1 class="title">Lady Edwina Louise Grosvenor and Dan Snow</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Lady Edwina Louise Grosvenor and Dan Snow

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<h1 class="title">Amal Clooney in custom Stella McCartney, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Gianvito Rossi shoes and George Clooney</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Amal Clooney in custom Stella McCartney, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Gianvito Rossi shoes and George Clooney

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<h1 class="title">Prince and William and private secretary Miguel Head</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Prince and William and private secretary Miguel Head

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<h1 class="title">Cressida Bonas in Eponine</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Cressida Bonas in Eponine

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<h1 class="title">David Beckham in Dior Homme and Victoria Beckham</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

David Beckham in Dior Homme and Victoria Beckham

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<h1 class="title">Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre

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<h1 class="title">Earl Spencer and Karen Spencer</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Earl Spencer and Karen Spencer

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<h1 class="title">Pippa Middleton and James Matthews</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews

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<h1 class="title">Oprah in Stella McCartney</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Oprah in Stella McCartney

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<h1 class="title">Carol Middleton and Michael Francis</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Carol Middleton and Michael Francis

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<h1 class="title">Chelsea Davy</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Chelsea Davy

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<h1 class="title">Sofia Wellesley and James Blunt</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sofia Wellesley and James Blunt

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<h1 class="title">Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall

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<h1 class="title">Prince and Princess Michael of Kent</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent

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