Prince William's Saudi Visit Evokes Tom Hiddleston's Spy Thriller Persona
As Prince William explored the oasis city of AlUla in Saudi Arabia this week, his appearance drew immediate parallels to the BBC's acclaimed spy drama, The Night Manager. The Prince of Wales, aged 43, was seen sporting a pair of grey-framed sunglasses from the luxury London brand Finlay & Co, paired with a check jacket and shirt, during a tour led by local artists. Observers might have easily mistaken the future king for actor Tom Hiddleston on the set of his latest cinematic venture.
A Sartorial Nod to Espionage Elegance
The Night Manager, adapted from a John Le Carré novel, features Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, a hotel night manager embroiled in a dangerous world of arms dealing and espionage. William, a known admirer of the series, has increasingly adopted a wardrobe that mirrors Pine's sophisticated yet relaxed aesthetic. Moving away from traditional formal suits, the prince has embraced a more contemporary royal style, seemingly inspired by his fellow Etonian, Hiddleston.
In AlUla, William wore rounded, smoke-grey Marshal model sunglasses from Finlay & Co, retailing at £160, which closely resembled those worn by Hiddleston in the show. His ensemble included dark trousers, a light blue patterned shirt left unbuttoned at the collar, and a patterned grey jacket, echoing an outfit Hiddleston donned in the second series. While William chose a grey palette, Hiddleston's version featured light blue, but both shared the iconic sunglasses.
Beyond the Desert: A Pattern of Imitation
Later that day, at the Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla, William continued his style homage, wearing a khaki green linen shirt with dark trousers—a look fans recognized from the first episode of The Night Manager, where Hiddleston's character assists a wealthy guest. This sartorial mimicry is not a recent development; William has been drawing inspiration from Hiddleston for years.
In March 2022, during the Caribbean tour, William opted for a cobalt blue linen shirt, black shorts, and a baseball cap, a casual yet elegant combination frequently favored by Hiddleston. The actor was spotted in Manchester in 2023 with a similar grey linen shirt and navy baseball cap, highlighting their shared taste in relaxed attire.
Red Carpet Parallels and Formal Affinities
William's emulation extends beyond casual wear to formal occasions. In 2023, Hiddleston attended the 67th Evening Standard Theatre Awards in a bottle green velvet jacket, black trousers, and a bow tie. That same month, at the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in Singapore, William appeared in a nearly identical velvet jacket and bow tie ensemble.
Additionally, both figures share a preference for grey suit jackets paired with shirts sans ties, a look Hiddleston often wears in character. This ongoing style alignment suggests a deliberate fashion influence, blending royal tradition with modern cinematic flair.
