Scientifically, why is Prince William hotter with stubble?

We can write off a weak chin, immediately

This year’s Olympics really has been great. What with the Muffin Man, that nonchalant Turkish shooter, Raygun, pommel horse guy, Snoop Dogg and now, Prince William with facial hair.

Earlier this year, we were all clamouring to see a glimpse of Kate Middleton, but all eyes were firmly on William, in an Instagram video, congratulating Team GB on their 2024 games.

Looking far more casual than we usually see him, our future King was sporting what can only be described as a baby beard and now, we’re all thirsting after Wills like his Eton days again.

It got me thinking how a chin hair on a woman is seen as so horrifying, it requires immediate tweezer removal, but several chin hairs on a man, instantly turns him into a solid 10.

Why do we find beards so attractive on men?

I did some Googling to find out.

Turns out, there are a variety of factors and reasons for this sexual attraction to facial hair. One being that, for people who are attracted to men, bearded ones signify certain traits that we might desire in our partner.

Going back to what feels like a combination of caveman and wizarding days, it’s thought we see the beard as a sign of social maturity, dominance and protectiveness.

But what I thought was really interesting is, that in two studies, men with just stubble were found to be the most attractive in terms of a partner for sex, but men with a full beard were perceived to be better parents and more trustworthy.

This attractiveness to facial hair, also increased on the participants who stated they were in the ‘fertile phase’ of their menstrual cycle.

Now, as I mentioned, William’s is in that in-between stage, but I’m going to put him in the, one night only, stubble category for now. But, who knows where he’ll end up, come September.

Essentially, as a species, we think we’re above being narrated by David Attenborough, but really, we’re not/there’s some serious daddy issues going on.