For the first time, Prince William has spoken out about his daring new appearance.

In a candid interview on Nov. 7, following his tour to Cape Town, South Africa for this year’s Earthshot Prize Awards, the 42-year-old Prince of Wales revealed that his new beard faced a crucial test—not from the public, but from his 9-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte!

William revealed that his first effort to grow facial hair earlier this year did not go as planned.

“Well, Charlotte disliked it the first time. I burst into tears the first time, so I had to cut it off,” he explained.

He had to persuade the royal father of three to try again.

Then I grew it back. “I thought, hang on a second, and I convinced her everything was going to be fine,” William continued.

When one of the reporters said that the prince’s new facial hair, which he debuted in August, gives him a laidback, “relaxed” aspect, William confessed that it is deceptive.

“It’s interesting you say that, because I couldn’t be less relaxed this year, so it’s very interesting you’re all seeing that,” he said, referring to the previous year, when both his wife, Kate Middleton, and father, King Charles, were stricken with cancer.

“But it’s more a case of just cracking on, and you’ve got to keep going,” according to him.

Between royal obligations and spending time with his family, Prince William says he’s making room for what he cherishes most.

“I enjoy my work, and I also enjoy pacing myself and making sure that I have time for my family,” he told me.