Beard Liberation Front
9th April. Media Release
Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
Prince Philip gave up distinguished beard for Royal life say beard campaigners
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that one little known aspect of the life of Prince Philip, who has died aged 99, was the distinguished beard he had while serving in the Navy.
Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy as a young man in 1939 and rose to the rank of Commander in 1951. He had married Elizabeth in 1947 and became a full-time member of the Royal Family in the early 1950s giving up a successful naval career.
During at least some of this period Prince Philip wore a distinguished naval beard. Given the pogonophobia- dislike of facial hair-in senior Royal circles that then existed, Philip’s beard disappeared after 1951.
Prince Michael of Kent has been the only significant member of the post-1945 Royal Family to wear beard consistently until Prince Harry. Prince Charles did wear one briefly as a young man.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Prince Philip will not be remembered as a beard wearer but he should be. He had kept the beard he could have set a fashion that would literally changed the face of modern Britain.
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