A breath of fresh hair: First beards seen among Welsh Guards after Army lifts 100-year ban
Members of the Welsh Guards have been pictured sporting beards in their military uniform after the 100-year ban on facial hair was lifted last month.
The infantry soldiers are part of the British Army's Household Division and are responsible for guarding royal palaces and carrying out combat operations overseas.
On their official page on social media site X, the Welsh Guards posted images of their Guardsmen with the caption: "The beards have arrived! Like it or lump it, the beards are here!
"Members of Number 2 Company proudly took up their posts on Kings Guard this morning, marching from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace."
One social media user responded by saying: "A long overdue update to the regulations. Looks good."
Another person disagreed and simply wrote: "Scruffy looking."
It comes after senior military figures lifted the British Army's 100-year ban on serving soldiers having beards.
The change was backed by General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff, and it went as high as the Commander-in-Chief, King Charles.
The new policy was announced by the Army Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Carney, the most senior non-commissioned officer in the service, in a four-minute social media message.
The Army's new rules on beards
– Only a full-set beard will be allowed
– Length must be between grade 1 (2.5mm) and grade 8 (25.5mm)
– It must be trimmed off at the cheekbones and neck
– No patchy or uneven growth
– No exaggerated colours
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