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Prince William may choose to leave behind one familiar royal custom when he eventually becomes King—a decision that could attract particular attention in Scotland.
For generations, senior members of the Royal Family have embraced traditional Scottish dress during visits north of the border, with kilts becoming a familiar sight at ceremonies, public engagements and events celebrating the country’s heritage.
King Charles is perhaps the most prominent example. The monarch regularly wears a kilt while carrying out duties in Scotland, reflecting his close connection to the country and his willingness to honour its traditions.
He is far from the only royal to follow the custom. Princess Anne and Prince Edward have also been seen embracing traditional Scottish attire, helping maintain a practice that has long connected the Royal Family with Scotland’s culture and history.
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Prince William, however, has taken a noticeably different approach to traditional Scottish dress. Unlike several other senior royals, the Prince of Wales is rarely, if ever, seen wearing a kilt during his official appearances in Scotland.
In fact, William is believed not to have worn one publicly since childhood. That has remained the case even after he inherited important Scottish titles following Queen Elizabeth II’s death, including Duke of Rothesay and Lord of the Isles.
There is no royal rule requiring William to wear a kilt, so his preference does not amount to a breach of protocol. Nevertheless, if he maintains the same approach after becoming King, it would mark a noticeable departure from a tradition embraced by generations of senior royals and previous monarchs.
The Royal Family’s connection with tartan runs particularly deep. They even have their own distinctive Balmoral tartan, featuring shades of grey, black and red. The design dates back to 1857 and was created by Prince Albert, according to The Mirror.
William has previously addressed his reluctance to wear the traditional garment. During a 2003 interview while he was still at university, he revealed that he had worn a kilt away from the cameras but had yet to do so publicly.
“I have worn a kilt in private, and I’m not saying I will never wear one in public,” William told PA at the time.
He then offered a rather more light-hearted explanation for his hesitation, describing the traditional Scottish garment as “a bit draughty.”
