Prince William returns to Scotland: will he finally wear the kilt this time?

The Prince William is expected in Scotland on November 2nd and a question is gripping me royal watchers: Will the heir to the throne finally wear a kilt? What seems like a mere question of style is actually more of a diplomatic matter: the Scots would like to see what will one day be their king wearing the traditional Highland garment.

Controversy periodically flares up in Scotland over what is interpreted as a refusal on William’s part. In fact, the prince was never seen in a kilt as an adult. The reasons for the choice are not known. In the British newspapers, attempts to interpret the failure to act are obviously wasted. There are those who say that Carlo’s firstborn is Diana you don’t like showing off your knees but the shots showing him in Bermuda shorts would seem to disprove this reading.

Some insinuate that when he grows up he doesn’t want to wear what he was forced to wear as a child. He might simply not love what is in fact a skirt but since William is not just any man he should understand that here beyond the legs there is more: its position in an important part of the world is at stake United Kingdoma country that has always felt the temptation ofindependence from London.

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Probably if his family didn’t show so much love for the kilt, or had shown by alluding to those who are no longer here, William wouldn’t have this problem now. We all remember it very well the last shot of Elizabeth II alive: the sovereign was waiting on 6 September 2022 Prime Minister-elect Liz Truss at Balmoral in front of a lit fireplace showing off a skirt made with the tartan which takes its name from the Aberdeenshire castle.

Queen aside, the male members of the house Windsorat least the generation preceding that of William, they have always proudly worn the kilt. The has always done it Prince Philip tied closely with Scotland since its title was that of Duke of Edinburgh. The Prince Edwardthe one who holds that title today, actually didn’t wait for the investiture to feel comfortable in a kilt.

When Queen Elizabeth made it Earl of Forfar in 2019, a Scottish company made a tartan especially for him. Also Andrea, the Duke of York now out of favor, he had a tartan of his own as Earl of Inverness.

Not to mention Charles III who is as comfortable with the kilt as he is with his own old coats. The firstborn of Queen Elizabeth he never disdained the boss once he crossed the border north of England, from a very young age.

In his long wait, the heir to the throne who in Scotland takes the title of Duke of RothesayEarl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Steward of Scotland (Great Steward of Scotland), over the years he has taken out of his wardrobe numerous different tartan kilts, with matching jackets and socks. Since he is married to CamillaCarlo loves showing off coordinated looks with his wife who seems to appreciate it as much as he does matchy-matchy Scottish.

Last September, at the royally loved Highland Games, the Braemar Gathering, King Charles showed off a brand new kilt with a special meaning. «The green, blue and red tartan was designed by Scottish Tartans Authority earlier this year to celebrate the occasion of the coronation and in recognition of Her Majesty’s strong support in preserving the culture and traditions of Highland dress and Scottish tartan” reads a note released at the time.

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To these words were added those of John McLeish, the president of the Scottish Tartans Authority, who specified that «the king is an ambassador of the tartan, of Highland dress and Highland traditions. We are honored that your Majesty has agreed to the creation of a new tartan in your name.”

Ironically, Carlo debuted with an eponymous tartan in the days when it had not yet faded controversy over William. To bring up the issue immediately after the celebration which was held on 5 July at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh necessary for the sovereign to also be recognized as king of Scotland, it was John Sugdenowner of Campbell’s of Beaulythe tailoring shop that can guarantee “the style and tradition of life in the Highlands”.

«We would be happy to make a kilt and jacket for the Prince of Wales» he said to all the newspapers that contacted him «he would keep a tradition alive and, above all, being Lord of the Isleswould be a perfect vehicle to popularize traditional Highland dress particularly for a younger generation.”

In reality, Sugden has been pleading Scotland’s cause (and his own) for a while, so much so that in November 2022 at Times he had said more or less the same thing. The theme cannot help but be dear to those who produce fabrics and clothing: if interest in that type of clothing wanes because a powerful testimonial like William is no longer there, business will also be affected due to all the spin-offs that a simple kilt brings.

In fact, the controversy is ancient and dates back to 2001: the young Prince William showed up at the Braemar gathering instead of wearing a kilt with a navy blue suit. When he graduated from the university of St Andrews in 2005 he opted for a suit and a white bow tie. Another bitter pill to swallow for the Scottish people who make it a strongly identity issue.

Also in St. Andrews in February 2011, a few months before the wedding, a young Scotswoman ambushed her future bride. «Will William wear a kilt to the wedding?» he asked from the crowd. “I don’t think so,” was Kate’s response, which disappointed her expectations.

Self Katealready when he visited Scotland in his capacity Countess of Strathearn (the equivalent title of Duchess of Cambridge) has never failed to pay homage to the country bending fashion to local traditionsthat is, showing off a scarf, a coat or a tartan skirt, William, you’ve never taken this step and who knows if his time has finally come.

The Scottish commentators wait and do not fail to make some jokes. It seems that the Highlands are plagued by a species of very annoying insects called midgesparticularly voracious midges that have become legendary for having ruined a picnic at Queen Victoria making her run away.

This is why some commentators do not fail to quote the writer Neil Munro who loved to make fun of non-natives. «There’s nothing more that midges love to see among themselves than an English tourist in a kilt» he wrote. In the end, perhaps endless ruminations aren’t necessary and this is probably the reason why William doesn’t feel like airing out his lower parts. Maybe the dreaded midges are really fond of blue blood.