Royal wedding: Why Prince Harry may not be able to wear his military uniform

Army rules could affect what the groom wears on the big day

The lead up to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptials on May 19 have been dominated by theories as to what the bride will be wearing.

But while the focus will be on the long-awaited reveal of Markle’s wedding gown, it seems that the groom is facing a wardrobe dilemma of his very own.

Since Prince Harry has spent 10 years serving in the military as part of the Army’s Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals - formerly known as the Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Dragoons until 2015 – it is expected that he will wear one of his dress uniforms.

However, according to historian Hugo Vickers the groom is unlikely to be able to wear it unless he shaves his beard.

This comes as military tradition dictates that the British Army does not permit beards unless there are exceptional circumstances such as skin complaints or religious reasons.

“He is not able to wear his Royal Horse Guards uniform with a beard,” Vickers told the Press Association.

“He does it sometimes, but they don’t like it.

“That’s why when he took the parade at Sandhurst, he wore a suit.”

Harry first started growing a beard in 2013 when he completed a charity trek to the South Pole with Walking with the Wounded.

When he returned to the UK he kept his facial hair, even opting to wear a dark suit and overcoat instead of his uniform at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December.

The Queen was reportedly not impressed with the prince’s new appearance with a royal insider saying at the time: “The Queen soon let her displeasure be known.

“She doesn’t mind royal men growing beards when they are away in the armed forces or out in the wilds like Harry was in the Antarctic, but she expects them to be clean shaven when they get home.”

Despite the protocol, as Harry is no longer a serving officer it is thought that military rules may not apply to him.

“I am sure Prince Harry, who has worn a beard for some time, will keep it for the wedding,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Express.

“There is no protocol whatsoever regarding this. It depends on the fashions which periodically change.

“When the Duke of York, later George V, married Princess Mary of Teck in 1893, later Queen Mary, it was a time when men wore moustaches and beards, and so did he.

“A few years ago, beards were relatively rare, now they are commonplace and fashionable and Harry will undoubtedly wear his.”