Prince William on a walkabout
The Royal Family’s love affair with Scotland, its culture and its traditions has endured throughout the generations, with many royals never seen without their tartan whenever they venture north of the border.
However one senior member of the Firm who refuses to indulge in a kilt is Prince William, who is said to hate wearing them, much to the chagrin of Scottish royal watchers.
The royals have a deep connection to Scotland, spending their summer holidays at Balmoral Castle each year, and also owning properties such as Birkhall and the Castle of Mey for more private retreats.
It is not compulsory for the family to dress in kilts when in Scotland but generations have chosen to do so, from King George V to the late Queen’s father King George VI and of course Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
William’s own father King Charles seems to relish any opportunity to don his tartan, as he did earlier this week at the 8 Doors Distillery in John O’Groats.
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King Charles proudly sporting a kilt (Image: Getty)
Richard Kay explained in the Daily Mail: “The Windsors observe a unique – if eccentric – set of house rules when it comes to how to dress in Scotland.
“The men wear kilts, not just on official engagements but during their off-duty moments too.
“Even Princess Diana, no lover of things Scottish, used to display a gesture, such as a tam o’ shanter, to the delight of the Celtic fringe.”
The Royal Stewart tartan, which dates back at least as far as 1800, has been popular with the royals over the centuries, however it is the Balmoral tartan that is reserved for the family to wear exclusively.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Braemar Highland Gathering (Image: Getty)
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Many say that Prince Albert created the pattern not longer after he and Queen Victoria acquired Balmoral in 1853, and many royals have continued wearing it after them.
Charles has been seen wearing his kilt ever since he was a student at Gordonstoun, the alma mater of many members of the Royal Family situated in Moray.
One event that presents a perfect opportunity for the family to enjoy a true Scottish day out is the Braemar Highland Gathering, where those without kilts are the ones that surely look out of place.
Yet even for his first visit in 2005 William wore a navy-blue lounge suit, and even though he went to Scottish university St Andrews he opted not to wear a kilt at his graduation too.
Kate and William both graduated from St Andrews but neither wore tartan for the occasion (Image: Getty)
William has still made it clear over the years that Scotland holds a very special place in his heart, and his dislike for kilts does not extend to the rest of the country.
During an opening address at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2021, the Prince said: “Scotland is a source of some of my happiest memories but also my saddest.
“I was in Balmoral when I was told that my mother had died. Still in shock, I found sanctuary in the service at Crathie Kirk that very morning and in the dark days of grief that followed I found comfort and solace in the Scottish outdoors.
“As a result, the connection I feel to Scotland will forever run deep.”
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