Prince Charles-an exemplar.

[Big Paul]

Thank you for such great input on this topic. You gentlemen have inspired me to search the Internet for pics of Prince Charles kilted and put them in a reference file.
Ron

You my want to look at these... Link

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Paul,

Not an easy task as I'd thought. Did find a lot of good ones by searching the Prince's own website http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/index.html

Ron

[Big Paul]

That is where I found many of the pictures...
I've gained new respect for Prince Charles.. After looking at all the pics of him, I can now see he is a real man... Smiling Anf laughing.. It's a good thing.

[cessna152towser]

I think Prince Charles looks very smart in the Balmoral kilt and Camilla complements him well in wearing the same tartan. However he does not wear the kilt all that often and doesn't always wear the kilt even for his Scottish engagements. At the garden party which I attended at Holyrood Palace a few years ago the invitations specified kilts as optional for men and indeed around half of those present were wearing kilts, yet both Prince Charles who hosted the party and Prince William who was also present were wearing grey trouser suits for the occasion.

[Riverkilt]

Oh that the Prince's dresser(s) would write a book on wearing the kilt. Would no doubt sell well.

Would like to know who makes up his kilts and jackets, where he buys his kilt hose and other accessories....and that pig-sticker thing in his sox....

Ron

[Hamish]

Oh that the Prince's dresser(s) would write a book on wearing the kilt. Would no doubt sell well.

Ron, employees within the Royal households are not permitted to write books whilst in service. Several renegades have written their memoirs after leaving service, but their books could not be published in the United Kingdom. I have a couple that were published in the USA, and subsequently smuggled into this country!! The situation might be a little different nowadays regarding the antics of retired emplyees, but they certainly may not publish whilst still in service.

Would like to know who makes up his kilts and jackets......

Ron

I believe you'll find that most of HRH's Highland Dress items, certainly his kilts, are tailored by Kinloch Anderson of Leith. They are Appointed kilt makers to several senior members of our Royal Family, and are permitted to display the appropriate Arms in recognition of this.

[Riverkilt]

That's too bad. Even if the book is about what they do and never mentions the Royal family?

Ron

[Hamish]

That's too bad. Even if the book is about what they do and never mentions the Royal family?

Ron

Yes, absolutely!

[James]

Coming in a bit late, there was mention of Prince Charles not wearing the Kilt to a function at Holyrood Palace.

I'm not privy to the actuality of the royal dress code: but that Palace is south of the Highland Line, so on the face of it, he is correct not to wear the kilt on such a DO event: when a lounge suit is more appropriate.

British dress protocols are an absolute minefield, and much is 'known' rather than stated-set down in written rules.

This is why I probably appear a bit awkward on this board-for though nowadays I'm a kilt slob, with a side sporran, and hillwalker. When it somes to the what where and how of kilt wearing: I look to what I was told as a child, and such exemplars as those long experienced kiltwearers I've met/seen at gatherings, functions and the like.

To illustrate this a bit further, some years ago our chief visited London, and there was a rather grand dinner-but there was not a scrap of tartan to be seen. For the event being in London, the correct wear was a dinner jacket.

By the same token for a Burns supper, though my inclination would be to wear the kilt: he was a lowlander-so my instincts would tell me to wear a dinner jacket, for that was how I was brought up. Though today I'd probably ask around and see what the other chaps were wearing, and given the chance wear the kilt.

Therefore I would suggest that it is well worthwhile looking at such examplars as Prince Charles, actual Clan Chiefs and elders-to see how they dress: for whilst it is healty for highland dress to evolve to meet the times: it is best not to turn it into fancy dress-or some sort of Brigadoon costume.

To end on a laugh, I mostly wear the kilt these days, but on occasion when attending highland events-I'll wear a suit as being more appropriate.



James

[Colin]

It's a shame William and Harry have not donned Highland wear like their father, uncles, and grandfather.

Pic from Big Paul's gallery...Thanks