Prince William balances the demands of raising his three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—while carrying out his extensive royal duties. Together with Kate Middleton, William strives to provide their children with as normal a childhood as possible, a value he deeply appreciates thanks to his own upbringing.

Over the years, the future king has instilled in his children a strong sense of right and wrong while helping them understand the world beyond their privileged lives. Though the Royal Family enjoys financial security, they, too, face challenges—some smaller than others. Recently, one unexpected change in Prince William’s appearance caused quite a stir within the family, particularly for Princess Charlotte.

While William and Kate navigate their responsibilities and a year marked by personal challenges—including Kate Middleton’s and King Charles’ battles with cancer—there’s a sense of optimism on the horizon. Kate recently announced she is cancer-free, and King Charles’ treatment has progressed positively, allowing him to briefly pause his care for engagements abroad.

As Christmas approaches, William and Kate continue to prioritize their children’s well-being, ensuring George, Charlotte, and Louis remain grounded. William takes inspiration from his late mother, Princess Diana, who was dedicated to showing her sons, William and Harry, the realities of life beyond the palace walls. Diana’s efforts included visits to homeless shelters and everyday experiences like subway rides and fast-food outings to keep her children connected to the real world.

Teaching the next generation
In the ITV documentary Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, William shared how Diana’s lessons made a lasting impression. He recounted visiting a homeless shelter as a child, where he initially felt uncertain but soon connected with the people he met. Those experiences shaped his understanding of the importance of compassion and awareness.

Now, William is passing those values on to his own children. He believes it’s essential to discuss homelessness early, ensuring George, Charlotte, and Louis grow up with empathy and an understanding of the world around them. In an interview with The Sunday Times, William explained that conversations about those less fortunate often happen naturally during school runs, especially when passing individuals in need. “I’ll ask them, ‘Why do you think they’re there?’” he shared, emphasizing the importance of fostering compassion at the right time and in the right way.

The beard that caused a royal stir
Despite these serious lessons, the Wales family still enjoys lighter moments—and occasional family drama. Recently, William’s decision to grow a beard became a hot topic. The typically clean-shaven royals rarely alter their appearance, so when William debuted his scruffy look in a video congratulating Team GB’s Olympic athletes, fans were quick to praise his new style.

However, not everyone was impressed. Princess Charlotte reportedly burst into tears the first time she saw her father with facial hair. During a public appearance, William revealed her strong reaction: “Charlotte didn’t like it at first. There were floods of tears, so I had to shave it off. Eventually, I convinced her it would be okay.”

Royal beards and family tensions
Beards in the Royal Family have a history of sparking debate. In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry described his own facial hair as a “security blanket” and revealed that it caused tension with William. Harry claimed William was frustrated that Harry was allowed to keep his beard with Queen Elizabeth’s blessing while he himself had been denied the same privilege after growing one during a military deployment.

Despite their differences, both brothers’ experiences highlight how even minor personal choices can carry weight in royal life. As for William, whether the beard becomes a permanent fixture remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly sparked interest among fans—and tears from his daughter.

With Christmas around the corner, perhaps Charlotte will warm up to her father’s rugged look, especially if it helps him play the role of Santa Claus—a beard she might just approve of.