William's short new haircut creates Royal buzz

William stepped out sporting the closely trimmed style as he celebrated the national rollout of the Step Into Health programme at the Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The 35-year-old, who as a teenager used to hide behind his long, floppy blond fringe, has long been conscious of his receding hairline.

Prince Harry often teases his older brother about losing his locks.

While chatting to a Second World War veteran in Barbados several years ago, Harry remarked that William "was already bald aged 12".

In 2014, the Duchess of Cambridge suggested the perfect solution for her husband's growing bald patch - an alpaca toupee.

As they visited the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Kate was shown a tuft of alpaca wool - which was a similar shade of brown to the Duke's hair - and pointed to William's head, remarking: "You need it more than me."

Bookmakers William Hill are now offering odds of 6/4 that William will go for a totally shaved head for Harry's wedding.

Although the odds are 1/2 that he will stick with his new buzz cut, punters can also place bets on whether the future king will have a hair transplant, with odds of 16/1.

Rupert Adams, William Hill spokesman, said: "In the past we have bet on what haircut David Beckham would have for England's first game of the World Cup in 2006 and had to pay out a small fortune on highlights.

"We don't expect any shocks this time round, though."