THE 170-YEAR BREAK — WHY PRINCE WILLIAM MAY ABANDON A ROYAL TRADITION HIS FATHER STILL EMBRACES

Prince William could be set to break a royal tradition that has endured for around 170 years when he eventually becomes king, and the surprising detail has nothing to do with crowns, ceremonies or the throne itself. Instead, it concerns something much more personal: the Scottish kilt. While King Charles has embraced traditional Highland dress for decades, William has notably avoided wearing one in public as an adult. The contrast is particularly striking because William has strong connections to Scotland. He studied at the University of St Andrews, where he met Catherine, and when he is in Scotland he holds the title Duke of Rothesay. Yet despite those ties, the future king appears to have made a very different choice from his father when it comes to one of Scotland’s most recognisable traditional garments. Reports note that William has not been publicly seen wearing a kilt since he was a child, with his last known public appearance in one dating back to 1990, when he was just eight years old. Charles, meanwhile, has continued to wear kilts during Scottish engagements and at Balmoral. That difference has prompted royal observers to question whether William could eventually become the first modern monarch in generations to reject the tradition altogether. But is William deliberately turning his back on a 170-year-old royal custom — or is his refusal to wear a kilt simply a matter of personal preference?

The tradition itself has deep connections with the royal family’s relationship with Scotland. Balmoral became a treasured royal retreat during Queen Victoria’s reign after she and Prince Albert acquired the estate in the 19th century, and Highland culture became closely associated with royal life there. Prince Albert even created the Balmoral tartan in 1857, giving the family its own distinctive connection to Scottish dress. Over the decades, members of the royal family have frequently appeared in kilts while visiting Scotland, particularly around Balmoral. For Charles, the garment has become an almost natural part of his public identity in Scotland. He has worn Highland dress for formal engagements as well as during his stays at the estate, demonstrating a clear affection for the tradition. William, however, has never appeared to share his father’s enthusiasm. Even at his 2005 graduation from St Andrews, where a kilt might have seemed entirely appropriate, William opted for a white bow tie and black academic gown instead. His decision was notable precisely because he was not unfamiliar with Scotland. He had spent years there and developed personal memories that remain deeply important to him. Yet when it came to clothing, he consistently chose conventional formal wear rather than Highland dress.

William’s relationship with Scotland makes his apparent rejection of the kilt even more intriguing. His time at St Andrews is widely regarded as one of the happiest chapters of his young adult life, because it was there that he met Catherine and began the relationship that would eventually lead to marriage. He has spoken warmly about his Scottish connections, once describing Scotland as a major part of his identity and recalling how much he enjoyed growing up with family links to the country. Yet Scotland also carries painful memories for the future king. In a 2021 speech, William spoke about having both his happiest and saddest memories there, noting that he learned about the death of his mother, Diana, while at Balmoral. That complicated emotional connection may help explain why Scotland occupies such a distinctive place in his life. He clearly embraces the country and its importance to his family history, even if he does not embrace every element of its traditional dress. His position therefore appears less like a rejection of Scotland itself and more like an individual preference about how he wants to present himself. Nevertheless, the fact that his father continues to wear the kilt while William avoids it has created a noticeable generational contrast within the monarchy.

The question of whether William will eventually change his mind has also attracted attention from royal commentators. Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, previously described William’s refusal to wear a kilt as curious and suggested that appearing in one could potentially silence some of his critics. At the same time, such a move could produce another kind of reaction. If William suddenly appeared in Highland dress after years of avoiding it, some observers might interpret the change as a calculated public-relations gesture rather than a genuine personal choice. That puts the future king in an unusual position. Wearing the kilt could demonstrate respect for Scottish traditions and reinforce his connection with the country, but refusing to wear it allows him to maintain a personal style that clearly differs from his father’s. There is also an important distinction between royal tradition and royal obligation. There is no formal rule requiring a member of the royal family to wear a kilt while in Scotland. William is therefore not breaking a constitutional requirement or violating a formal royal protocol. If he continues avoiding the garment after becoming king, the significance would be symbolic rather than legal. It would simply demonstrate that a tradition embraced by earlier generations is no longer necessarily being carried forward by the next monarch.

That possibility fits into a broader discussion about what the monarchy might look like under William. The future king has often been associated with a more streamlined approach to royal duties, and his generation faces the challenge of maintaining traditions while also demonstrating that the institution can adapt. Clothing may seem trivial compared with constitutional responsibilities, but royal symbolism often operates through precisely these small details. A monarch’s choice of uniform, ceremony or public presentation can communicate how closely they identify with historical traditions. Charles has generally shown a strong attachment to established customs, particularly those associated with the countryside, Scotland and the monarchy’s historic identity. William may eventually choose a somewhat different balance. His avoidance of the kilt could become a tiny but visible example of that generational shift. It does not necessarily mean he wants to erase tradition. Instead, it may suggest that he is more selective about which customs he personally embraces. If that continues once he reaches the throne, observers may increasingly scrutinise his wardrobe for clues about the kind of king he intends to be. A single garment could therefore become symbolic of a much larger transition from one generation of monarchy to another.

The upcoming royal summer at Balmoral provides another opportunity for the contrast between father and son to attract attention. Balmoral traditionally becomes a private retreat for the royal family during late summer, and the estate closed to the public on August 9, signalling the beginning of the family’s traditional period there. For Charles, the surroundings provide an obvious setting for Highland dress, and his long-standing affection for kilts means he is likely to continue embracing the look. William, by contrast, may once again choose conventional clothing. If he does, it would reinforce a pattern that has now lasted for decades. The absence of a kilt would hardly prevent him from participating in Scottish traditions or carrying out his responsibilities in the country. Yet every public appearance inevitably contributes to the image of the future king, meaning even a simple wardrobe choice can become part of the wider conversation about his approach to royal life. What makes the story particularly fascinating is that William has never publicly given a detailed explanation for why he avoids the garment. Without a clear statement from him, observers can only note the pattern rather than confidently assign a motive to it.

Ultimately, Prince William’s apparent refusal to wear a kilt could become one of the smallest — but most visible — ways in which his reign differs from that of his father. Charles has spent decades embracing Highland dress, continuing a royal association with Scottish tradition that stretches back into the Victorian era and is closely connected with Balmoral. William has taken the opposite approach, avoiding the kilt in public throughout his adult life despite his strong personal and family connections to Scotland. If that pattern continues after he becomes king, he could effectively bring an end to a royal fashion tradition that has lasted around 170 years. Yet there is no indication that William’s choice represents hostility towards Scotland. On the contrary, his own words show how deeply Scotland is connected to both happy and painful chapters of his life. Perhaps the kilt simply does not fit the image he wants to project. Perhaps he will eventually surprise everyone and wear one when the moment is right. Or perhaps the future king will quietly allow the tradition to disappear with his generation. And if William really does refuse to wear the kilt when he becomes king, will it be remembered as a meaningless fashion choice — or as the first visible sign that his monarchy intends to break with some of the traditions of the past?