Real reason Prince William kept his beard as lip reader reveals what Kate Middleton actually said about it

After a human behaviour expert claimed to caught wind of a series of comments Kate Middleton made about her husband's beard during her Remembrance Sunday appearance, spectators have been wondering whether Prince William will keep his new facial hair long-term.

Followers of British Royal Family's recent public ventures will have noticed by now that the 42-year-old father-of-three has been donning facial hair that is thicker than ever seen before - and apparently, Kate is quite the fan...

William has kept his beard since the summer (Ray Tang-Pool via Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Back in September, a video of the husband and wife duo congratulating the athletes who competed at the 2024 Olympic Games saw millions of comments flood in about his new look.

One wrote at the time: "William with a tan and a beard!!!!"

Another said, 'You both look amazing!!!!! Love the scruff W!!! Catherine you look stunning!!', and a third added: "Great to Catherine again, and William unshaved haha, it’s been years since we’ve seen that, what a sight!"

It seems as though the future King has since caught wind of the positive reception his facial hair has garnered and has kept it as a staple look ever since.

In fact, the beard appears to be getting fluffier with each appearance William makes - including at a Remembrance Sunday service in London this weekend, where he and several other important members of the British monarchy appeared in the parade to pay their respects.

William first showed off his beard in an Olympic video back in September (Instagram/@princeandprincessofwales)

At the weekend, meanwhile, his wife, Kate, stood looking down from Buckingham Palace's balcony, where she was joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie - wife of King Charles III's youngest brother, Prince Edward.

After the pair were seen chatting during the televised service, lip reader Nicola Hickling told The Sun that one moment saw Sophie asking Kate about her hubby's rugged new aesthetic: "What, you like a beard?"

And apparently, Kate can be seen admitting: "I find it quite rousing."

Hicking claims Sophie then responds laughing, 'You're all better now', to which mum-of-three Kate also begins giggling.

The moment has also been analysed by another lip reader Kayleigh Harris, however, who also told the publication that Kate described the future King's beard as 'never quite rounded', as opposed to 'rousing'.

She adds that Sophie then responds: "It's a lot better now."

Kate reportedly spoke to Sophie about her husband's beard (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Since the hilarious interaction, many royal spectators - including us at Tyla - have been left wondering whether William intends to keep his facial hair, or whether he'll eventually brave the shave.

And after William recently revealed during an appearance in South Africa that his daughter Charlotte had been left in floods of tears after seeing her dad with a beard for the first time - leading him to originally shave off his first attempt - one fashion expert believes they know the real reason why he's kept it for longer this time around.

Fashion stylist Martine Alexander previously told Mail Online: "This positive response has given William the confidence to be more contemporary with his style. It seems that he's adopting an age-appropriate look and it's great to see."