THE Trooping the Color saw a major rules change that saw the army lift a 100-year ban.
Yesterday, Princess Kate wowed fans by attending the historic event to mark the King’s birthday.
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Royals gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a Royal Air Force flyover.
However, eagle-eyed viewers would have noticed a difference in the appearance of some soldiers.
Yesterday was the first Trooping the Color since the army lifted its ban on beards.
All beards had to include a mustache – and be carefully trimmed to the cheekbones and neck.
The bristles should be thick and the length should be between 2.5 mm and 25.5 mm, or between Grade 1 and Grade 8.
The Army’s top soldier, Sergeant Major Paul Carney, announced the “major policy change” in March.
The historic move aligned the Army with the Navy, whose sailors have been wearing beards for centuries. The RAF has allowed beards since 2019.
SAS and SBS troops are also allowed to wear beards by tradition. The Sun revealed in December that the end of the ban was in sight.
Army chiefs overturn century-old ban on beards
The army overturned a historic ban on beards earlier this year.
The change meant regular troops and commissioned officers could now grow facial hair for the first time since 1908.
The Army’s top soldier, Sergeant Major Paul Carney, announced the “major policy change” with immediate effect.
But he insisted that the beards will have to be groomed. He insisted: “Our standards cannot stop.”
It was timed to allow clean-shaven soldiers to start growing mustaches during the Easter holidays.
WO1 Carney told troops in a video: “Reaching an outcome took a little longer than expected due to the larger number of stakeholders involved, including His Majesty the King, our politicians and our allies.”
King Charles supported the rule change.
Yesterday’s event saw Kate and King Charles stand shoulder to shoulder in front of adoring crowds.
It was the first time Princess Kate attended a public royal event since she and Charles were diagnosed with cancer.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said the late Queen would have been proud of Charles and Kate’s “gesture of solidarity”.
Body language expert Judi James explained that Kate, 42, was keen to ensure her father-in-law remained the focus during Trooping the Colour.
The expert said: “In a tradition created by her husband’s grandmother, Kate’s body language here showed the world what it’s like to be a royal: elegant, calm and stoic, without a hint of self-pity or drama.
“Kate’s nonverbal messages seem to signal a smiling determination to reassure the public and her own children and to get on with the work.
“She made it clear in her written message that this is a step toward return, not the beginning, but even from the glimpses of her in the carriage, her straight back and signature smile showed a desire to show resilience and poise.”
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