Prince William Says Princess Charlotte Cried the First Time She Saw His Rugged Beard

Princess Charlotte did not give her father’s latest look a royal seal of approval.

In fact, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 9-year-old daughter had a very emotional reaction after he debuted his new full beard.

“Well, Charlotte didn’t like it the first time,” the 47-year-old said during an interview to mark the end of his time in Cape Town, South Africa on Nov. 7 via People. “I got floods of tears, the first one I got tears, so I had to shave it off.”

As William noted, the second time was the charm, though it took a little convincing.

“Then I grew it back,” William added. “I thought, hang on a second, and I convinced her it was going to be okay.”

William has maintained a clean-shaved look for the duration of his life. While his younger brother, Prince Harry has been known for his signature red beard. In August, William officially debuted the look and has been rocking it during public engagements and events since.

The Prince of Wales, who also shares children Prince George, 11, and Prince Louis, 6, with Kate assured reporters that his latest look is not “laid-back or “relaxed.”

“It’s interesting you say that, because I couldn't be less relaxed this year,” he said. “So it's very interesting you're all seeing that.”

Earlier this year, both his wife Kate and his father King Charles III opened up about being diagnosed with cancer.

William also briefly reflected on the year during his trip to South Africa, calling it “brutal.”

“It's been dreadful,” William told reporters at the end of his visit to Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 7, per BBC. “It's probably been the hardest year in my life.”

He continued, “I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done,” he continued. “But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal.”

However, as William noted, his daughter Charlotte has brought some light (and dancing) into their lives—especially during his latest solo trip—as was seen rocking a friendship bracelet she made for him that read, “papa.”

"This is a sort of relic, if you'd like, from a Taylor Swift concert that my daughter decided she wanted to create a bracelet for," William previously told Sky News. "She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised that I'd wear it and try not to lose while I was out here."

Keep reading for a look at William and Kate’s sweetest moments with their family…

Sometimes the date night dress code calls for tiaras and tails, as it did at this Dec. 5, 2023, reception at Buckingham Palace for the Diplomatic Corps.

Kate and William leaned in courtside when they attended a Nov. 30, 2022, Boston Celtics game during a trip to the U.S.

Still making Kate smile after all of these years, perhaps William started singing early as they headed into the "Together at Christmas" Community Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II joined her grandson and his wife of then-10 years for a tour of the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2019.

The longtime loves shared a toast and a beer after attending the St. Patrick's Day parade in Hounslow in March.

While visiting Northern Ireland in February, the duo got their hands dirty during a soccer match.

During their Northern Ireland trip, the Duchess of Cambridge poured herself a pint before her hubby enjoyed a glass.

Prince William couldn't keep his eyes off of Kate while celebrating the 100th year of the Royal Air Force in England in July 2018.

On April 23, 2018 the future King of England and his stunning wife welcomed their third child, Prince Louis, into the world and of course they looked perfect posing for the cameras.

The royal couple bundled up on their winter trip to Norway in 2018 and looked adorable side by side.

The athletic duo cheered on the tennis players at Wimbledon in 2017 and they seemed to have a blast doing so.

Prince William looked on in amazement as his wife played with a bow and arrow while on their trip to Bhutan in 2016.

Ugh, could these two be any cuter?!

The happy couple waved to fans in May 2015 after welcoming their second child, Princess Charlotte, at the famed Lido Wing of St. Mary's Hospital on May 2.

When the Cambridge crew was just a family of three they had a blast visiting Australia on their royal tour.

As you can see, the lovebirds are always up for a wild outdoor activity in between performing their royal duties.

The proud new parents posed for the cameras outside of St. Mary's Hospital after welcoming their first child, Prince George, into the world on July 22, 2013.

The couple visited the Emirates Arena, the future venue of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, in Scotland in 2013 and they were perfectly in sync while walking around.

Princess Kate looked to her hubby for warmth as the two attend the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse in March 2013.

The married couple waved to onlookers as they attended the wedding of Mark Tomlinson and Laura Bechtolsheimer in Switzerland.

Even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge get nervous when watching the Olympics...but at least they have each other.

The royal duo shared a laugh while watching the cycling events at the Velodrome during the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The two arrived at the Honiara International Airport in a special boat—talk about the royal treatment—before exploring Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands as a part of their 2012 tour.

A couple who eats together, stays together! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended an official dinner hosted by Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam, Shah of Kedah while on their Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia in fall 2012.

The royal couple was red carpet ready as they arrived together for the 2012 celebration of the British Olympic Team GB at Royal Albert Hall.

Kate gave her royal hubby a smooch after his team won a tournament round at an event for the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry in July 2011.

The couple shared a sweet kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding on Friday, April 29, 2011 and it was magical.

The Royal Wedding was pure bliss and the newlyweds couldn't contain their happiness as they left the church as husband and wife.

Prince William looked lovingly at his wife as they attended Harry Meade and Rosie Bradford's wedding in October 2010 and, aww.

The royal couple was all smiles on their graduation from the University of St. Andrews back in June 2005.