Princess Kate ‘mortified’ by William’s latest ‘porn star style’ scheme

Dressed in a full camouflage uniform and regimental beret in his role as Colonel-in-Chief, William spent time speaking with officers and their families, observing training exercises and discussing military life.

During a light-hearted chat with officers in the mess, the subject of facial hair came up, prompting the prince to joke about changing his own appearance.

Lieutenant Jack Austin of South Manchester, who sported a moustache, said: “It started in Estonia – a few of us officers grew mustaches and it snowballed from there. I brought it up when I was talking to the prince, and he said, ‘Maybe I should get rid of the beard and just have the moustache.'”

The comment provoked much laughter at the time, but insiders said it has since taken on a life of its own behind the palace doors.

A source close to William and Catherine told us: “Kate was absolutely shocked when she heard about the idea of ​​a porn star-style mustache on William. She has always hated the look and thinks it would completely change William’s image in a way that she finds very unappealing.”

The insider added, “She joked that he would look like a cheesy seventies porn star if he went through with it, and it’s not something she would support. For her, it crosses the line from playful to something that feels out of step with how she sees him. She’s just praying he doesn’t comply.”

The exchange about facial hair took place while William was having a series of conversations with military personnel, including conversations with female personnel about their experiences in the military and the zero-tolerance policy on unacceptable sexual behavior (USB).

Capt. Maria Bell said, “The Army has made a lot of progress in recent years in terms of USB policies that have come out and signage.”

She added: “The USB course is great, it is there, but more education, more training around that, into chains of command, into units, not just a box-ticking exercise… I think there needs to be more investment in the training, education around the subject, what is inappropriate and what is not, so that it is very transparent, no gray areas.”

William also joked with Maxine Debonnaire and her son, Lieutenant Harris Debonnaire, about his love of sport, confirmed his preference for football over rugby and discussed his support for Aston Villa.

Harris, who also sported a moustache, told the prince that his facial hair started during the Movember campaign and that it “just grew on me.”

The visit was part of William’s ongoing role in support of the Armed Forces, including previous trips to Estonia where he met with the same unit during deployment.

Although the mustache comment was made in jest, sources said it has nonetheless sparked a strong backlash domestically, with Catherine hoping the idea would remain nothing more than a passing joke.