Quote Originally Posted by Chas View Post
I could be wrong, but as far as I know the Earl of Wessex has only ever worn the Balmoral (restricted) tartan.

Regards

Chas
I suspect that many people over here in the Americas don't know how strong the mystique of the Balmoral tartan is in some circles. This was brought home to me in a personal way when I was visiting an Ontario kiltmaker whose mother had been a hand weaver of the Balmoral tartan for the Royal Family. The kiltmaker told me tales about how no one not of royal blood was even supposed to own a piece and, I think once convinced I was not an agent for MI5 , brought out a swatch to show me in the same way that a medieval owner of a forbidden piece of a holy relic might have shown it to an admirer. I was NOT invited to touch the swatch by the way.