King Charles has regularly embraced wearing a kilt during visits to Scotland, but his son Prince William has rarely been seen in the traditional garment. The revelation comes as the Royal Family prepares for their annual summer retreat to Balmoral.
Royal summer tradition at Balmoral
The Aberdeenshire estate has served as a cherished summer haven for successive generations of royals, with the late Queen Elizabeth II playing a key role in establishing the tradition throughout her reign. Family members are anticipated to spend time at the expansive estate during August, making the most of its extensive grounds and the seclusion it provides from the demands of royal duties.
The yearly getaway allows the royals an opportunity to enjoy quality time together before their hectic diaries pick up again in September, The Mirror reported.
Charles's kilt-wearing habit
While Balmoral is closely linked with family gatherings and countryside activities, there's another Scottish custom strongly connected with the King. Charles has frequently adopted the kilt during his visits north of the border, donning various tartans for official appearances, formal occasions and Highland gatherings.
The monarch was recently spotted greeting members of the public in Dingwall while dressed in a traditional kilt displaying a green, blue and red tartan design, complete with a sporran. Only days before, he attended the Mey Highland Games in Caithness wearing a kilt in the characteristic Balmoral royal tartan.
While there's no official obligation for Royal Family members to don a kilt while in Scotland, Charles has repeatedly opted to adopt the traditional attire. His stance seems to contrast with that of his eldest son, Prince William.
William's rare kilt appearances
The Prince of Wales has seldom, if ever, been spotted wearing a kilt during his public appearances as an adult. Indeed, some of the most recent widely circulated photographs of William in the traditional attire hark back to his younger years, when he posed with his brother, Prince Harry, for official family portraits.
William has never publicly addressed why he seems hesitant to don a kilt, despite his deep ties to Scotland. The future King bears the Scottish titles of Duke of Rothesay and Lord of the Isles and resided in the country for several years while studying at the University of St Andrews. Even for his university graduation ceremony, William opted against wearing a kilt.
The Prince's choice is especially striking given the Royal Family's longstanding connection with the traditional Scottish dress. The royals possess their own tartan, called the Balmoral tartan. The characteristic grey, black and red pattern was designed by Prince Albert in 1857 and has become firmly linked with the family and their Scottish residence.
Balmoral holiday ahead
While William may not be anticipated to resurrect the royal kilt custom this summer, he and the Princess of Wales are expected to make their yearly journey to Balmoral with their three children. The family visit is expected to occur before Prince George commences his secondary schooling at Eton College in September, signalling another significant milestone for the Wales family.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond reckons the Scottish estate offers the ideal backdrop for the family to decompress ahead of what's anticipated to be another gruelling stretch for the royals. Chatting to the Mirror, the former BBC royal correspondent explained how Balmoral's secluded location and striking scenery afford the family a chance to step away from the demands of their public duties.
She said: "The summer stay up there has always been a time primarily for William, Catherine and the rest of the family to gather in the peace of the Scottish countryside after the busyness and noise of their working lives in London and elsewhere. It's a 'breathe, relax and be still' kind of place, and that's what they all love about it. Its beauty is undeniable, but the castle really is quite remote, and it's the sort of place where you have to make your own fun."
"That, however, is something that generations of the Royal Family seem very well equipped to do. They walk and romp, play games and ride, and fish and shoot (when in season) - it's part of Balmoral life. The Balmoral holiday is an important tradition for the family when quite a lot of them can spend time together away from work, away from the cameras and very seriously off-duty. Generation after generation seem to have fallen under the spell of the castle and its grounds."
