The Prince and Princess of Wales have been enjoying a quiet summer with plenty of family time.

And in one final trip before Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis head back to school in early September, the family-of-five head to Balmoral to spend time with the rest of the Royal Family.

They joined King Charles and Queen Camilla as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, for the bank holiday weekend in the Scottish Highlands, in their annual holiday north of the border. And fans got a glimpse of the royals during their Balmoral break as cameras snapped the Firm heading to church on Sunday morning.

William was seen driving a Land Rover containing wife Kate and their three children to Crathie Kirk. The family were turned out in their Sunday best, with William in a smart suit and Kate wearing a chic Holland Cooper coat paired with a fedora hat. But royal fans claimed say they were left ‘in mourning’ over one detail with William’s appearance – his much-talked-about beard appeared to have been shaved off.

Several weeks ago, William and Kate appeared in a video that was posted on their Instagram page congratulating Team GB for its performance at the Paris Olympics. Dressed casually in a polo shirt, William said: “Well done on all you achieved” in the clip. But many viewers were left distracted by his stubble. However, while driving to Crathie Kirk on Sunday, the Prince of Wales was clean-shaven, with the beard gone.

And one royal fan joked on X: “I’m officially entering a period of mourning for William’s beard. I only saw it once, but I’ll always remember it.” Another quipped: “Sisterwives, we are here today to mourn the passing of a dear lover – the magnificent beard. This beard was no mere follicular accessory – it was a symbol of ruggedness and undeniable charm. We will miss it. Goodbye, everloved Beard.”