Following the widespread paparazzi photo of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's romance in the South of France, King Charles decided to retaliate by staging a photo shoot in Scotland with Prince William and Prince Harry. At first, the young princes were reluctant to participate in publicity antics. "All our friends are just going to tease us," Prince Harry says in episode two of season six of The Crown. "Especially if you wear a kilt and a shepherd's crook like little bo peep." That is, until King Charles struck a deal: the two didn't have to wear kilts.
While kilts have never been Prince Harry's nor Prince William's favorite go-to wardrobe items, they are a part of King Charles's. Throughout his life, the British royal has been photographed donning them for both personal and private occurrences. There are early accounts of King Charles wearing a kilt from when he was seven years old, to family portraits with Princess Diana, and sporting events like the Legion Mey Highland games.
This past September, King Charles donned a special tartan kilt designed to mark his coronation. The green, blue, and red tartan was designed by The Scottish Tartan Authority and symbolizes the King's longstanding support for Scottish culture and dress. In fact, many of the images of King Charles donning a kilt take place in Scotland, specifically Balmoral (such as his early birthday portraits).
Kilts have also been thoroughly worn by other members of the British Royal Family, and the aforementioned design was loosely based on the Balmoral Tartan, which is said to have been designed by Prince Albert. The Late Queen frequently wore the style when she was in Scotland.
It can be assumed that kilts signal the British royal family's close relationship with Scotland, but could they mean more for King Charles? Perhaps, a sartorial choice for when he is, dare we say, happiest? Balmoral is known to be his domain, a private sanctuary. He wears them for events of leisure, such as sporting events and family gatherings. There are countless times King Charles has worn them for his birthday portraits in Balmoral and alongside Queen Camilla.
Princess Diana is known to be savvy with fashion and showing an understanding of how it can be used as a vehicle to send a message (see: the black sheep sweater or revenge dress she wore to the Serpentine Gallery). But, Charles, too, was a stylish royal, often wearing tailored double-breasted suits and even creating the Prince of Wales check. It would be daft to assume that his decision to wear a kilt, in surroundings where perhaps he felt most relaxed, is only chosen at random.
Style News Editor at Town and Country covering society, style, art, and design.
