He actually broke the military code governing facial hair; UK requires men to be clean shaven while in uniform. Think about it: otherwise, they would have to permit the muslims to have their henna-dyed ungroomed beards and the sikhs their turbans and daggers, etc. He had to get special permission from the Queen to keep the beard.
Like the Sikhs? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/first-sikh-guardsman-to-be-given-permission-to-wear-a-turban-instead-of-a-bearskin-8374240.html
Now, that's a beard.