Royal Visit to the USA

**Chas** · 6th March 10, 09:14 AM

I could be wrong, but as far as I know the Earl of Wessex has only ever worn the Balmoral (restricted) tartan.

Regards

Chas

**JSFMACLJR** · 6th March 10, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

I could be wrong, but as far as I know the Earl of Wessex has only ever worn the Balmoral (restricted) tartan.

Regards

Chas

Well, he did wear a kilt of Royal Stuart to his sister's wedding, at which he was a page.

**Chas** · 6th March 10, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

Well, he did wear a kilt of Royal Stuart to his sister's wedding, at which he was a page.

Sorry, my fault. I meant as an adult. Unlike his brother, the Duke of Rothsay, who has many kilts, I would not be surprised if the Earl of Wessex only had one kilt.

Regards

Chas

**Lallans** · 8th March 10, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

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.