Special HAIR Service! Elite SAS soldiers will be allowed to follow Prince Harry’s lead by keeping their warzone beards while in parade uniform
- Soldiers in the SAS and SBS will be allowed to keep their beards under new rules
- Traditionally the forces had to be clean shaven when returning from operations
- Army personnel are required to be clean shaven when in parade uniform
- Director of Special Forces changed rules for SAS, SBS and supporting regiments
- Prince Harry sported a beard while in uniform after having left the military
Elite members of the SAS and SBS will now be allowed to keep the beards they grew during operations when they return home under new military rules.
Traditionally, members of the special forces and their supporting regiments have been allowed to grow facial hair when on operations away from their barracks.
However, when they return they and take part in special occasions, wearing parade uniform, they have been required to be clean shaven again.
The decision to allow the SAS and SBS to keep their beards was made by the Director of the Special Forces, a major general who served with the SBS, The Express reports.
Elite members of the SAS and SBS will now be allowed to keep the beards they grew during operations when they return home under new military rules (stock image)
Previously, Prince Harry was seen wearing military uniform to ceremonial events while sporting a beard.
When he married Meghan Markle in 2018, concerns were raised over whether he would keep his beard while wearing his military uniform.
However, a statement issued by Kensington Palace confirmed that the Queen had granted Harry special permission to marry in his uniform and keep his beard.
The statement said: ‘Her Majesty The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform.’
Historian Hugo Vickers said the permission may also have been granted because Harry has retired from active service.
When he married Meghan Markle in 2018, concerns were raised over whether he would keep his beard while wearing his military uniform. However, a statement issued by Kensington Palace confirmed that the Queen had granted Harry special permission to marry in his uniform and keep his beard
In 2017 Harry also appeared in uniform with a beard at the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Sunday service.
Prince Harry left active service in the military in 2015 after having completed two operational tours of Afghanistan.
After announcing plans to step away from Royal Duties last year, Prince Harry agreed to give up his military appointments.
Under military rules, this means when he makes public appearances at official engagements he is no longer permitted to wear his uniform and can only wear his medals.
A senior Special Forces source told The Express: ‘I think Prince Harry’s example has made it more difficult to resist this change, but, really, it’s a common sense decision.’
After announcing plans to step away from Royal Duties last year, Prince Harry agreed to give up his military appointments. Under military rules, this means when he makes public appearances at official engagements he is no longer permitted to wear his uniform and can only wear his medals. Pictured: Prince Harry attending the Armistice Day Service on November 11, 2016
Before the Special Forces Director’s ruling, only a handful of exemptions to the beard rule existed, such as soldiers with skin irritations or those whose religions require facial hair be worn.
Additionally, only traditional roles within the Army, such as Pioneer Sergeant, Drum Majors, Pipe Majors and Bugle Majors were allowed a beard.
In 2019, the RAF changed its own guidelines to mirror those in the Navy to allow pilots the right to wear beards at all times.
MailOnline has approached representatives of the Duke of Sussex for comment.