The Prince of Wales is thought to "occasionally dons disguises" when he goes drinking with his group of friends.
Last week saw Prince William hit the streets of Istanbul, as he was on tour with pals to watch his beloved Aston Villa win the Europa League against SC Freiburg.
The prince was captured in a moment of pure, unguarded joy last Wednesday as Villa clinched their first piece of silverware in 30 years.
The impromptu football excursion to Turkey had been organised mere weeks beforehand, but William was adamant about going with his set of lads.
He was later spotted at an afterparty, with Villa star Victor Lindelöf's wife, Maja Nilsson, sharing a photo of the prince with a group of people, seemingly letting his hair down. The post was accompanied by a Swedish saying, loosely translated to "going off the rails".
As one royal source told the Daily Mail: "He's a 40-something bloke, well off, with a happy family, but all that currently waits for him is a metaphorical straitjacket and a very heavy crown."
Among those joining the 43-year-old prince on the terraces in the Beşiktaş Stadium were some of his most trusted confidants, such as Thomas van Straubenzee, also 43, who has been a fixture in William's life since their days together at Ludgrove Prep School.
Prince William pictured celebrating with all his friends in Istanbul last week
| PAEdward van Cutsem, 52, brought along his 17-year-old son Jake. The former banker shares a connection to the Royal Family stretching back decades; he served as a page boy at King Charles's 1981 wedding to Lady Diana.
Ben Dawes, 45, whom William affectionately calls "Dawesey," completed the group.
The prince's band of brothers typically convene at one another's homes, far from prying eyes.
When that proves impractical, they retreat to West London pubs with discreet landlords and quiet back rooms, where William reportedly favours a pint of Stella Artois.
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Prince William was spotted letting his hair down at the Aston Villa afterparty in Istanbul | INSTAGRAM: MAJA NILSSON LINDELOFBut backdoor pubs and back gardens are not the Prince of Wales's only methods to avoid detection when he is looking to let loose a little.
To maintain his anonymity during these outings, a source told the newspaper the prince "dons an occasional disguise," by growing or shaving off facial hair, wearing hats and spectacles, and sometimes putting on what sources describe as an "iffy" Welsh accent.
As the royal source noted: "The lads are particular fans of barbecues, beer and a lot of wine."
Prince William is said to be partial to a pint of Stella Artois
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Discussions of William's present responsibilities or future role as monarch remain firmly off the table during these gatherings. Talk instead centres on family matters, children, careers and sport.
"Like all senior royals, he rarely lets his guard down with anyone," the source explained.
"He is wary of getting too close to others. His true inner circle is very select.
"They have no axes to grind and know how to behave."