Prince William’s recent rugged look has a deeper meaning into his future, says an expert.

The Prince of Wales, who debuted his beard this year, has done so ahead of challenging role as the next King of Britain.

Royal expert Judi James told the Daily Mail: "William's recent change of style and his much less cautious-looking and less formal body language seems to indicate both a growing confidence in terms of his stepping up to the throne and maybe an update in his priorities since Kate's and his father's illnesses

She added: "William has three children that are getting to the age where they will often make comments or jokes about any out-of-date dad clothing and start to quietly revolutionise his look, especially as he seems to have been spending more time with them recently.”

Judi noted: "William has feared being too spontaneous or even 'giving' with his body language for most of his life thanks to the way he witnessed his mother's life become an ongoing soap opera, but he seems more trusting with the press now. He might have seen how he can open up a little without inviting rabid scrutiny and retain an element of privacy for his family to have a more normal life.