Rugged Prince of Wales rocks fan-favourite beard on visit to a homelessness exhibition and reunites with his Big Issue seller pal

Prince William rocked his fan-favourite beard today as he returned to royal duties after his summer break – and was reunited with his Big Issue seller pal.

The Prince of Wales, 42, dedicated his first post-summer engagement to one of his most cherished causes as he visited the Homelessness: Reframed exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London.

Many royal fans will be delighted to see the return of his famous stubble after lusting for his facial hair in a good luck video for Team GB last month.

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The heir to the throne was also reunited with his friend Dave Martin, a Big Issue vendor he has taken under his wing.

Dave first became homeless in 2011 after moving to London but following an extraordinary journey, he now exchanges Christmas cards with the future King – and the pair have become close pals.

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Prince William rocked a beard today as he returned to royal duties after his summer break

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The Prince of Wales, 42, dedicated his first engagement back to one of his most cherished causes as he visited the Homelessness: Reframed exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London

Prince William shares clip of his visit to homelessness exhibition

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Prince William was reunited with Dave Martin, a Big Issue vendor with whom he has become close pals

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William appeared in great spirits as he greeted his old friend, who has even interviewed him for the magazine.

Should Prince William keep the beard?

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The two showed the closeness of their bond as the prince shook Dave’s hand, and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

‘Dave, lovely to see you again. How have you been?’ William enthused.

‘I recognise this? Is this you?’ he said, speaking about a piece he contributed featuring abstract geometric shapes which represent aspects of his life including pathways, a roof over his head and windows to see the light.

Mr Martin said proudly of William: ‘He recognised my work straight away.’

Afterwards William told him: ‘If I don’t see you soon, take care.’

In June 2022, William quietly joined Dave to help sell The Big Issue on the streets of central London.

And this July, he shared that he is more convinced than ever that homelessness can be eradicated for good.

Homelessness: Reframed is designed to bring to life the breadth and complexities of homelessness and aims to help the public to engage with, and better understand, the stories of those who have experienced the issue.

This is a a central objective of the Homewards programme, which was launched by The Prince and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales in June 2023, is to change the narrative and challenge negative perceptions and stereotypes around homelessness as well as eradicate homelessness in six key areas of the UK.

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William looked rugged but smart in a formal suit as he met with the artists behind the exhibition

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The Prince of Wales during a visit to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London, to view Homelessness: Reframed

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Last month, royal fans were left delighted after Prince William appeared with the Princess of Wales to send a message to Team GB’s athletes

Royal fans on social media gushed over the Princess of Wales

William spoke about his passion to change public perception about homelessness, and was so engrossed the work that his half-hour visit to Homelessness: Reframed ran over by almost another hour.

Told that that visitor numbers had far exceeded expectations – instead of the 5,000 anticipated, more than 25,000 have walked through the doors of the six-week show in just 23 days – he said: ‘I am really, pleased, so pleased.’

While there, the heir to the throne met with artists who have contributed newly commissioned pieces for the exhibition, alongside those with lived experience who have inspired some of the artwork.

He also met with British photographer Rankin, who famously photographed his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The legendary photographer has also taken part in the exhibition, and told William: ‘I’ve loved being part of it.’

Fans had been alarmed when it appeared William had shaved his stubble to go back to work, after the clean-shaven Prince was spotted attending a service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral.

But William is clearly a fan of the new look, and had grown it out once more for his return to engagements on Thursday after spending summer with Princess Kate and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Despite his rugged appearance, William was still smartly turned out in a formal suit and light blue shirt.

He was pictured in deep thought as he observed the exhibition, having been welcomed by Saatchi Gallery director Paul Foster.

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William brought his famous beard back for his first engagement after returning from summer break

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The Prince of Wales, 42, dedicated his first engagement back to one of his most cherished causes

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The two showed the closeness of their bond as the prince shook Dave’s hand, and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder

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William appeared in great spirits as he greeted his old friend, who has even interviewed him for the magazine

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A laughing Prince William met with several artists as part of the scheduled visit

The outing makes for William’s first official event since attending the Euros final with Prince George in Germany, back in July in his role as President of the Football Association.

Touring the Saatchi Gallery to view the exhibits created by those largely with lived experience of homelessness in all its forms, William even raised the idea of taking it on tour to different parts of the country.

He was stunned at a life-sized house sculpture by former soldier and rough sleeper David Tovey, made from an old Peugeot 206 he once lived in.

‘And you lived in this?’ William exclaimed.

Invited into the sculpture he appeared deeply moved and asked Mr Tovey: ‘Do you think we’ve got the right tone?’, referring to the displays.

‘I really want people to feel this, experience it. To change perceptions. ‘

Mr Tovey said afterwards: ‘For me this is everything. As an artist I make social justice work and no-one wants to feature it. They don’t want to come into somewhere and feel upset. But I want to feel emotion and tell people the truth.

‘To have a platform like this is everything. When I was first asked by him I was like “Are you mad? Do you really want me to do this?” So for me it is everything. Hopefully galleries will realise the impact and open their eyes.

‘He was pretty impressed. We mainly talked about the military and what I have been through. It’s something he really cares about. He spoke to me about how emotions are taken out of you in the military. He said: “They are sometimes really hard to get back, aren’t they? How are you doing?’ I was ‘yes, I’m still working on it”.

‘He suggested maybe we could take it on tour, the whole thing. I think we are, in the six locations Homewards is working in. That would be amazing. ‘

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Prince William appeared in great spirits despite the rainy autumn weather as he returned to work

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William adopted his now signature scruff as he made a rather rugged return to work on Thursday

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William joined his pal Dave Martin, who he has worked with closely over the years

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The Prince of Wales was stunned at a life-sized house sculpture by former soldier and rough sleeper David Tovey, made from an old Peugeot 206

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The Prince of Wales selling the Big Issue in London with Big Issue vendor Dave Martin in 2022

Uche Eneke, 42, spent 13 years in sub-standard temporary accommodation with her two young sons now aged nine and 16, which took a toll on all their health, and has three of her powerful photographs displayed.

She said she was impressed at the way William wanted to listen and learn from those involved.

‘I said to my group, wow, he really listened. He looked like he heard me and asked genuine questions,” she said afterwards.

‘He wanted to hear my experiences and, crucially, learn what the solutions were. He wanted to know where I found support. I told him my family were in Africa although I’ve lived here 23 years and he said: “That must be really tough on you.” He seemed really genuinely interested.

‘His backing means everything. Once you get backing from someone like himself, people really sit up. You get noticed. If I was standing along by my picture, no-one would notice.

‘The fact that he is here makes it different. He is amazing. Coming from his position he could not want to make a difference, but he does. He has all sorts of brickbats thrown at him and he takes on the chin and gets on with this. He wants to make a difference. He sees the bigger picture. ‘

Artist Robi Walters, who endured huge childhood trauma in care, also spoke with the Prince and praised him for his vision.

He said: ‘He talked to me about his idea, his vision. How he wanted to educated people about this whole, complex issue.

‘He’s got such a huge public profile and platform and he could choose to focus on anything, but he chooses this. The fact that he has chosen to do this and put his money where his mouth is, well that’s really remarkable.

‘He is brilliantly empathetic and a very special person. He really is amazing. People definitely take you more seriously as an artist being involved in something like this.

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The Prince of Wales stands next to a Dave Martin art piece during a visit to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, showing support for his long-time friend

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William appeared deep in thought as he looked at an art piece at the Saatchi gallery in London

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Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks with British photographer Rankin during the ‘Homelessness: Reframed’ exhibition

A central objective of the Homewards programme, which was launched by The Prince and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales in June 2023, is to change the narrative and challenge negative perceptions and stereotypes around homelessness.

The exhibition is split into three sections  – Invisible Words,’ ‘Reframed’ and ‘Open Doors – and features work from artists including Marc Quinn, Dave Tovey, Simone Brewster, Opake, and poet Surfing Sofas.

Homelessness: Reframed opened on August 7 and will end on September 20.

Last month, royal fans were left delighted after Prince William appeared with the Princess of Wales to send a message to Team GB’s athletes.

Social media was quickly flooded with excited messages praising the couple – with many quite taken by William’s ‘rugged’ appearance.

Another added: ‘You (Kate and Will) both look amazing!!! Love the scruff Will and Catherine you look stunning!’

One user simply said it was ‘great to see Catherine and William again.’

In the short clip, Prince William stood by her side in the Instagram video and sported an unusually rugged look, with an unshaven appearance.

Kate said: ‘From all of us watching at home congratulations to Team GB.’

The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB top, then briefly added: ‘Well done to Team GB you’ve been an inspiration to us all.’

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The Prince of Wales during a visit to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London, to view Homelessness: Reframed

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The Prince of Wales speaks to an artist during a visit to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea

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William also met with individuals whose personal experiences have served as inspiration for some of the pieces

The Team GB video was also a rare sighting of Kate, who is having cancer treatment.

The princess has made few public appearances since starting her chemotherapy treatment and stepping back from royal duties in January.

In an accompanying social media post on their account, the royal couple said: ‘Well done @teamgb, what an incredible journey!

‘Every athlete showed immense dedication, heart and passion. You made us all so proud!

‘Here’s to celebrating every triumph @paris2024 and looking forward to more from @paralympicsgb_official later in the summer’.

Kate announced she was receiving cancer treatment in March and has since been seen in public only at Trooping the Colour, the Wimbledon men’s singles final and at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral for a church service.

Royal fans couldn’t take their eyes off of William and his beard, with one person writing on X: ‘Prince William with his stubble is hot.’

It is not the first time the Prince has dabbled in facial hair; in 2008 he sent hearts a-flutter by growing a beard for the festive season, claiming that strangers failed to recognise him.

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It is not the first time the Prince has dabbled in facial hair; in 2008 he sent hearts a-flutter by growing a beard for the festive season, claiming that strangers failed to recognise him

Some royal fans couldn’t take their eyes off of William and his beard, with one person writing on X: ‘Prince William with his stubble is hot.’

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And despite claiming on Christmas Day that he would shave it off, he kept the fuzz for several weeks.

Fans were left hot under the collar, with one person writing: ‘Keep the beard, Prince William. Handsome.’

A third added: ‘Love the beard on Prince William,’ while a fourth said: ‘William please keep growing that beard!’

Meanwhile, William and beards hit headlines last year after his brother Prince Harry, 39, claimed in his explosive memoir Spare that the siblings argued over facial hair.

He said the Prince of Wales told him to shave his beard off before his wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018.

Harry explained that he had to ask permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to have a beard for his wedding, a privilege that was not granted to William when he wed Kate Middleton in 2011.

Harry was the first royal in 125 years to wed with a beard. The last royal to do so was George V, the son of Queen Victoria and Harry’s great-great grandfather. He wore a beard during his wedding to Princess Mary of Teck in 1893.

As it is customary to be clean-shaven when dressed in Army uniform, the groom was expected to have shaved prior to his wedding ceremony.

Reaction: Fans were left hot under the collar thanks to William’s latest appearance with a beard, with one person writing: ‘Keep the beard, Prince William. Handsome.’

British Army soldiers and officers have only since been allowed to grow a full beard after King Charles gave his approval in March 2024, allowing military chiefs to end the more than 100-year ban.

However, when Harry was granted permission by his grandmother to keep the facial hair, William ‘became livid’.

Harry reported his brother saying: ‘You put her in an uncomfortable position, Harold! She had no choice but to say yes.’

He added that William ‘wouldn’t let it go’ and that the argument continued ‘in person, on the phone, for more than a week’.

It culminated, according to Harry, with William ordering him to shave his beard off.

Harry said he replied: ‘For the love of God, Willy, why does this matter so much to you?’

‘Because I wasn’t allowed to keep my beard.’

The Duke concluded: ‘Ah, there it was. After he’d come back from an assignment with Special Forces, Willy was sporting a full beard, and someone told him to be a good boy, run along and shave it. He hated the idea of me enjoying a perk he’d been denied.’

However, royal fans were left briefly disappointed last month after it appeared William had shaved off the beard in order to return to work.

He was spotted clean shaven alongside his wife, the Princess of Wales, heading to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk in Edinburgh two weeks ago.

William drove the car, smiling as he chatted with Kate who was pictured for the first time visiting the church since she announced her cancer diagnosis back in March.

However alongside fans gushing over seeing the princess out and about, many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to also ‘mourn’ William’s beard.

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Prince of Wales, 42, was spotted clean shaven alongside his wife the Princess of Wales has heading to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk in Edinburgh  two weeks ago

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Princess William and Kate wave to the crowds after their wedding service at Westminster Abbey in 2011

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Meghan looking lovingly at her bristly new husband – and his beard – on their wedding day in 2018

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.’

Meanwhile another said: ‘No doubt somebody will set up a GoFundMe page for the sadly departed Royal Beard.’

A fourth wrote: ‘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 added: ‘The sexy scruff has been cancelled, worldwide tears ensued…’ Someone else added: ‘Awe, bring back the beard, William!! He was looking fine—he’s still sexy, but I was digging his 5 o’clock shadow.’

Kate meanwhile sported the same hat she donned last year for a Sunday church service, a beige tartan Marlborough trench coat from Holland Cooper with dark brown wool felt fedora with feathers.

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The Princess of Wales has made her first appearance at Crathie Kirk since revealing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year

The stylish hat, from Hicks & Brown, retailed for £99 and comes in a variety of other colours such as camel, dusky pink and maroon.

William drove the car, smiling as he chatted with his wife and opting for a navy blue suit for the occasion.

Meanwhile Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, made a colourful appearance in Scottish tartan ensembles.

The Queen opted for a bright green blazer, adorned with red collar detailing and buttons, teamed with a matching hat.

Her husband made a dapper style statement in a kilt, worn with a muted grey jacket.

Edward and his wife Sophie both appeared to go for chic beige ensembles, perfect for the end of the summery weather.

Kate has been making a slow and gradual return to public life following the news about her health struggles.

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Kate Middleton, 42, appeared in high spirits as she was pictured arriving for Sunday service with her husband William

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Also snapped making their way to the Scottish church were King and Queen Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – along with their children

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Kate Middleton, 42, appeared in high spirits as she was pictured arriving for Sunday service with her husband William

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Prince Edward was pictured driving Tim Lawrence his wife and son to the church earlier this morning

It was recently revealed that Kate would join the Royal Family at Balmoral during their summer break in what will have been her longest journey since opening up about her health struggles.

She and the Prince of Wales have decamped to the 50,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands each summer since their wedding in 2011, but some insiders feared this year could be different due to the princess’s condition.

Since the announcement that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in March, Kate has mostly balanced her time between Adelaide Cottage, their home in Windsor, and Anmer Hall, their holiday home in Norfolk, which are around 125 miles apart.

Her attendance will be seen by many as further reassurance that the princess is making ‘good progress’ after her diagnosis.

In June she told the public in an emotional message she was ‘not out of the woods yet’ and had ‘good days and bad days’, adding that her treatment would continue for ‘a few more months’.

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Pictured: The Princess of Wales seen wearing her £85 Ralph Lauren striped t-shirt to attend a SportsAid Athlete Workshop at the London Olympic Park in 2013

Mother and daughter’s day out: Kate and Charlotte at Wimbledon

She said that on her good days it was ‘a joy’ to ‘spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity’.

The annual holiday at Balmoral is a tradition for the royals, where they can relax in the peaceful countryside.

Long country walks and fishing are typical pastimes, with William and Kate known to enjoy cycling through the leafy grounds. Kensington Palace declined to comment at the time.

The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary this year and marked the occasion by sharing a new black-and-white portrait from their nuptials.

In March, the Princess of Wales announced in an emotional video message that she is receiving cancer treatment and has made few public appearances since.

In June, Kate attended the Trooping the Colour celebrations in London and watched the Wimbledon men’s singles final with Princess Charlotte.

Brave Kate is a beacon of light in new behind the scenes video

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The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis at the Trooping the Colour in June

Kate’s ace! Princess of Wales arrives at Wimbledon with Charlotte

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Earlier this summer, the Princess of Wales attended the Wimbledon men’s singles final in London with Princess Charlotte

Princess Charlotte smiles as mum Kate waves to Wimbledon crowds

Kate Middleton waves to cheering fans as she arrives at Wimbledon

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen opened up about her cancer diagnosis in a video this March.

She explained: ‘I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

‘It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

‘In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

‘This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

‘As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to

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Pictured: The Princess of Wales announced in an emotional video message that she was receiving cancer treatment in March

‘George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

‘As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

‘Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

‘We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

‘At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.’