What do you think?

[JolyStNicholas]

I think they look just grand, would love to have seen it in true color!

[Bruce Scott]

They? Gosh, I did not see the Duke of York(?) at first glance. At a guess it looks to me that "The Royals" have just got off a train somewhere, Balmoral, or the nearest station to Balmoral at a guess, and as usual the guard that are present at Balmoral during a Royal visit to their Scottish country estate, would be on parade for inspection. I suspect the same ceremony happens today, but not at the station these days.

Yes, that is most likely it. My first impression was that their was something amiss with their dress. It seemed almost as though they were off on a stroll rather than a formal inspection of a guard. It is not that they are too informal - lounge suits are quite often worn on such occasions - but the walking sticks and whatever Edward has in his right hand lend a greater degree of informality, I think. Nothing wrong with that. They are, after all, on holiday.

[Jock Scot]

Yes, that is most likely it. My first impression was that their was something amiss with their dress. It seemed almost as though they were off on a stroll rather than a formal inspection of a guard. It is not that they are too informal - lounge suits are quite often worn on such occasions - but the walking sticks and whatever Edward has in his right hand lend a greater degree of informality, I think. Nothing wrong with that. They are, after all, on holiday.

The tweed argyll, etc., worn by the Prince is the Highland equivalent to a suit. The cromach(stick) that he is carrying is a sign of highland gentry and is perfectly normal for him to have one, in fact it would be expected. What is not so normal is the style of the stick(can't really call it a cromach),I wonder if it was something he was presented with on a tour somewhere in the world?

[Chas]

Yes, that is most likely it. My first impression was that their was something amiss with their dress. It seemed almost as though they were off on a stroll rather than a formal inspection of a guard. It is not that they are too informal - lounge suits are quite often worn on such occasions - but the walking sticks and whatever Edward has in his right hand lend a greater degree of informality, I think. Nothing wrong with that. They are, after all, on holiday.

I think you will find that he is holding a Glengarry in his hand and as there is no 'civilian salute', he has removed it to review the troops. The royal party were possibly passing the colours so he would have removed his hat or the band might have been playing the first six (or is it eight) bars of the national anthem. At that time men, in civilian dress, removed their hats during the playing of the National Anthem.

We will never know for sure, but we can surmise.

Regards

Chas

[Jock Scot]

I think you will find that he is holding a Glengarry in his hand and as there is no 'civilian salute', he has removed it to review the troops. The royal party were possibly passing the colours so he would have removed his hat or the band might have been playing the first six (or is it eight) bars of the national anthem. At that time men, in civilian dress, removed their hats during the playing of the National Anthem.

We will never know for sure, but we can surmise.

Regards

Chas

I think you have hit the situation bang on the nail.

[Chas]

The tweed argyll, etc., worn by the Prince is the Highland equivalent to a suit. The cromach(stick) that he is carrying is a sign of highland gentry and is perfectly normal for him to have one, in fact it would be expected. What is not so normal is the style of the stick(can't really call it a cromach),I wonder if it was something he was presented with on a tour somewhere in the world?

I wondered about his stick. It really is betwixt and between - too long for one and too short for the other. It must have been very difficult to use. I go for a daily walk and sometimes I use my walking stick, but other times I just carry it. The other thing is that he has very pronounced sloping shoulders. If he carried the stick, it would stop (to some degree) the plaid slipping off.

Regards

Chas

[Jock Scot]

You have spotted the trick of keeping(trying to!) the plaid on the shoulder. Well done! The highland stick, crook(cromach) varies in height a wee bit, but about the owners nipple height is about right.

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

...At that time men, in civilian dress, removed their hats during the playing of the National Anthem...

Chas

At the time? Is it no longer done? It is still the custom here in the states.

[Chas]

At the time? Is it no longer done? It is still the custom here in the states.

The thing being, most men no longer wear hats here in the UK. The other thing is that the National Anthem is so rarely played in public any more.

Regards

Chas

[Streetcar]

I would humbly offer that whatever a Royal is wearing is automatically appropriate for the situation.

Those in power do not follow fashion, they set it.