Future King William Breaks Royal Kilt Tradition

King Charles III continues a long-standing royal tradition by frequently wearing kilts, particularly during his annual summer stays at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire and for ceremonial occasions in Scotland. He was recently seen in Dingwall wearing a green, blue, and red tartan kilt and attended the Mey Highland Games in Caithness in a Balmoral royal tartan. This personal preference for traditional Highland attire dates back to his childhood summers spent in Scotland.

In contrast, Prince William, who holds the Scottish titles of Duke of Rothesay and Lord of the Isles, has not embraced this sartorial custom. He has opted not to wear kilts for public engagements in Scotland, including during his time at the University of St Andrews. The last public photographs of William in a kilt were from his childhood.

The royal kilt tradition, formalized with the Balmoral tartan designed by Prince Albert in 1857, has been upheld by previous male royals, including King Charles since childhood and Prince Philip. Even Queen Camilla recently honored Scottish dress by wearing a vibrant red kilt during a visit to Edinburgh.