Prince William leaves fans heartbroken after shaving his beard ahead of return to royal duties
Getty
Royal fans were taken back by the Prince of Wales's 'rugged' appearance earlier this month
Prince William has left fans heartbroken after shaving his beard ahead of his return to royal duties.
Royal fans were taken back by Prince William's "rugged" appearance earlier this month as he appeared in a star-studded video praising Team GB's Olympic efforts with a new beard.
However, the facial hair did not last long, as the Prince of Wales, 42, was spotted clean-shaven alongside his wife, the Princess of Wales, heading to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk on Sunday.
William drove the car, smiling as he chatted with Kate, who was pictured for the first time since her high-profile outing at Wimbledon last month.
Many fans rushed to social media to "mourn" Prince William's beard.
One person joked: "Catherine saw women on the internet swooning over her husband's beard and decided to make him shave it off. RIP beard.
"It was fun while it lasted. P.S. Do not expect me to stop talking about his beard."
Another said: "I’m officially entering a period of mourning for William’s beard. I only saw it once, but I’ll always remember it."
Prince William sporting a beard in a video beside Princess Kate
X / Prince and Princess of Wales
Meanwhile, another wrote: "No doubt somebody will set up a GoFundMe page for the sadly departed Royal Beard."
A fourth added: "The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the Sunday Church Service at Crathie church in Scotland. Isn’t it so lovely to see The Princess of Wales out with her family?
"I am sending my condolences to Prince William’s beard which has now been shaven off."
Another commented: "The sexy scruff has been cancelled, worldwide tears ensued…"
Princess Kate and Prince William have enjoyed a summer break at Balmoral Castle
GettyLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Prince William will be visiting his Homewards exhibition in September
ReutersPrince William's clean-shaven appearance comes as the royal is set for a new public outing after returning from holiday with Princess Kate, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The Prince of Wales will visit the Saatchi Gallery on Thursday, September 5 to view Homelessness: Reframed, an exhibition which explores the complexities of homelessness.
This is set to be William's first public engagement following his summer holiday with the Princess of Wales.
The Waleses are enjoying a break at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.