Royal men wear kilts when they’re in Scotland. It’s just what they do. Prince Philip always wore kilts when he was out and about in Scotland, and King Charles loves to drop his trousers and grab a kilt. I think Prince Edward and Prince Andrew tend to only wear kilts when they’re doing actual formal events in Scotland. But guess who never wears a kilt? Prince William. And Harry too, because Harry’s name is included in this Daily Mail story, like Harry still lives on that godforsaken island.
Like other male members of the Royal Family, King Charles has been more than happy to appear in a kilt – and was resplendent in tartan once again this week before his Scottish coronation. The Royal Family has deep connections north of the border, with several Scottish properties including Balmoral – where the royals spend the late summer and autumn – Birkhall and the Castle of Mey. Wearing a kilt is practically a royal duty. But this is one royal tradition that appears as though it might die out with the heir to the throne.
It seems, in fact, that Prince William refuses to be seen dead in tartan. Certainly, there have been no pictures of a kilted Wills in adulthood. His brother Harry doesn’t seem to keen, either. The Prince of Wales has never explained as to why he refuses to wearing one. It might seem all the stranger given that he was educated at St Andrew’s University on the coast of Fife. Prince William even had the choice to wear one for his graduation ceremony but instead, chose to wear a traditional suite with a white bow tie and black silk academic gown with a red lining.
As The Daily Mail’s Richard Kay has explained: ‘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 article goes on to list the history of kilt-wearing among royals and while that’s sort of interesting, it’s weird that we’ve never gotten an answer on this. Why does William eschew kilts? Does he think that wearing a kilt would be cultural appropriation? Or is he just too self-conscious about it? Or maybe he simply doesn’t respect Scottish culture? It’s definitely weird that, like, no one has ever established why William refuses? Also: Harry would look great in a kilt.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
The Duke of Cambridge arrives for the opening ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and to give a speech in his role as the Lord High Commissioner to to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.,Image: 612142308, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jane Barlow / Avalon 
The Duke of Cambridge arrives for the opening ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and to give a speech in his role as the Lord High Commissioner to to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.,Image: 612142355, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jane Barlow / Avalon 
The Duke of Cambridge arrives for the opening ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and to give a speech in his role as the Lord High Commissioner to to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.,Image: 612142360, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jane Barlow / Avalon
The Duke of Cambridge chats to resident Betty Magee(96) and her granddaughter Kimberley Anderson during a visit to the QueenŐs Bay Lodge Care Home in Edinburgh, that is run by the Church of Scotland through Cross Reach, to meet with staff, residents and families to hear about the impact of COVID-19 on the home.,Image: 612298341, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Milligan / Avalon 
Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge walk at the beach at St Andrews, Scotland, Britain, May 26, 2021.,Image: 612735001, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: PHIL NOBLE / Avalon 
FIFE, SCOTLAND – MAY 26: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speak with local fishermen and their families to hear about the work of fishing communities on day six of their week long visit to Scotland on May 26, 2021 in Fife, Scotland.,Image: 612777925, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND РMAY 26: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrive in a Land Rover Defender that previously belonged to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to host NHS Charities Together and NHS staff at a unique drive-in cinema to watch a special screening of Disney’s Cruella at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on day six of their week-long visit to Scotland on May 26, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland.,Image: 612860765, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction РFor queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon 
The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland meets locals during a visit to the Healing Hub Oxygen Therapy Centre in Wick to hear about the benefits of oxygen therapy, especially for long COVID sufferers.,Image: 710805091, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Milligan / Avalon 
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla visit Dunfermline City Chambers, and walk to Dunfermline Abbey to mark its 950th anniversary, and celebrate the former town’s new city status as Scotland’s eighth city.,Image: 727811242, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: FEE PAYBLE ON USAGE, Model Release: no, Credit line: Euan Cherry / Avalon
King Charles III meets members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation. Picture date: Monday July 3, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL King. Photo credit should read: Andrew,Image: 786951304, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: ***NO UK SALES FOR 48 HRS***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Milligan / Avalon 
King Charles III and Camilla Queen Consort attend a reception to thank the community of Aberdeenshire for their organisation and support following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at Station Square, the Victoria & Albert Halls, Ballater. Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort, King Charles III Where: Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom When: 11 Oct 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWpkbYF6e9ahsJicn5rAoLzRoqWcnY%2Bstq24yJqkmKqVm8K0sb6tppivlZa%2FoK2%2BpKClrI%2Bstaa6vqGcrJeZo6y0r86to5qmlGQ%3D