HRH Prince Charles in Highland Evening Attire - Let's Take a Look!

**creagdhubh** · 1st July 13, 01:11 PM

Greetings,

I have always thoroughly enjoyed looking at various photos of HRH Prince Charles (full title: His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland), wearing Highland dress whilst he is in Scotland and recently came across several photos of HRH in Highland evening attire. One of which I have seen many times before, but still enjoy to look at nonetheless. I'm always amazed at how put together and well turned out HRH looks in his Highland kit, but then again, he always looks quite smart in any sort of attire/uniform for that matter. There's no doubt that HRH grew up wearing the kilt and knows how to wear it from one end of the spectrum (casual) to the other (formal). For me, HRH epitomises the traditional approach to Highland attire, yet he is very consistent with adding his own personal preferences and unique sartorial sensibilities.

Below you will find several photos of HRH wearing his characteristic "Balmoral" doublet in a rich, dark coloured velvet, as well as a photo of a younger Duke of Rothesay wearing an open-front doublet, which is more than likely made of barathea wool, since I do not detect the "sheen" of velveteen fabric, with a smart, high-cut waistcoat in a striking scarlet colour (which matches the scarlet piping on the "Inverness flaps" or "tashes" on his doublet). I really like the simplicity of this style of doublet and the ease/comfort of wearing it must be tremendous. There's no waistcoat to have to worry about, though I am certainly not opposed to the wearing of a waistcoat with Highland evening attire, whether they're solid or tartan. Rather, a simply cut doublet that is single-breasted with buttons fastening straight up the front and a smart dress shirt underneath with a lay-down collar and black bow-tie (instead of a lace jabot), to me, screams sartorial elegance in a very understated, yet traditional manner.

What also really interests me is the stark white evening sporran HRH is wearing in all but one of the photos. I can obviously see that the sporran has a silver cantle with three ferrules and some sort of pattern, yet I can't really discern any further detail from the photos. I really like this style of evening sporran for its simplicity and highly formal look, mainly due to the brightness of the white body and three tassels, which hang past the bottom of the sporran - another aspect of the sporran in which I am really fond of. I also like the pairing of the Royal Stewart tartan in HRH's kilt and his diced evening hose that do not match completely. The light green and purple "diamonds" of the hose complements, as well as contrasts, with the boldness of his red-based, Royal Stewart tartan kilt. Just lovely!

Perhaps this may be an opportune time for members of the rabble to post their photos (if any) of HRH Prince Charles wearing Highland evening attire? I suggest this mainly because I am curious if I have seen them all; well, at least the pictures that have been made available to the public...they're may be more out there! A selfish notion, I know. If anything, perhaps this thread will evolve into yet another discussion regarding Highland evening attire and its more traditional approach/option by members of the rabble, or other persons of interest of which various photos may exist. Feel free to upload your photos!

Kind regards,

**artificer** · 1st July 13, 01:30 PM

Same Balmoral doublet, different kilt-

ith:

**creagdhubh** · 1st July 13, 01:36 PM

Wonderful, Scott! Thank you for your contribution. The doublet in this photo almost looks like a dark or emerald green versus the black or perhaps dark blue of HRH's doublet shown in my photos above. Could this perhaps be the lighting? Hmmm...perhaps HRH's "Balmoral" doublet is indeed a dark green or emerald colour to begin with and all this time I was thinking it was made of black or a very dark blue (midnight) velvet! In any rate, green velvet would make sense with the red-based, Royal Stewart tartan - complementary colours!

**ThistleDown** · 1st July 13, 02:05 PM

This one is green velvet, Kyle.

**creagdhubh** · 1st July 13, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

This one is green velvet, Kyle.

Quite right, Rex.

**artificer** · 1st July 13, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Wonderful, Scott! Thank you for your contribution. The doublet in this photo almost looks like a dark or emerald green versus the black or perhaps dark blue of HRH's doublet shown in my photos above. Could this perhaps be the lighting? Hmmm...perhaps HRH's "Balmoral" doublet is indeed a dark green or emerald colour to begin with and all this time I was thinking it was made of black or a very dark blue (midnight) velvet! In any rate, green velvet would make sense with the red-based, Royal Stewart tartan - complementary colours!

I guess I'd always assumed that it WAS a dark green (Rifle Green, perhaps). My monitor is pretty well calibrated and his doublet appears to be green in the first and third pictures you posted as well.

We know his great uncle was a big fan of green dresswear as well, so maybe it runs in the family.

ith:

edited to try and get the pic to appear.

**Chas** · 1st July 13, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Of all the many hundreds of pictures I have seen of Prince Charles, I think this must be the very worst. He just does not look relaxed.

He was, of course, quite young at this time and had not developed his own style. As nice as the individual components are, I don't think that they gel together. I don't know, of course, but I would hazzard a guess that this was his first formal event in highland dress.

There are many contemporaneous pictures of him in more relaxed and casual settings - woolly jumper, stout walking shoes and cromach in hand - totally at ease with his surroundings.

Just an observation.

**MacCathmhaoil** · 1st July 13, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

I don't know, of course, but I would hazzard a guess that this was his first formal event in highland dress.

I'm guessing that this picture is mid 1970's so I'd think he'd had formal highland dress on before, I think it's probably more a case of having developed his own style as was suggested previously. Now he's older, more at ease and I'd suggest more confident in his role. As I look at images of him he has over time, particularly in formal dress, taken an air of being more confident or at least more comfortable.