Why do Prince George and Princess Charlotte wear "old-fashioned" outfits? (2024)

Posted on by Pip Lincolne

Why do Prince George and Princess Charlotte wear "old-fashioned" outfits? (1)

Wondering why the youngest royals oftenlook like they’ve stepped out of another era? There are some sensible reasons behind Kate’s choice not to dress them in more modern garb.

Diplomacy first

The little royals are dressed with diplomacy, formality and longevity in mind. Traditional garments that might have been equally at home in the 1950’s are often favoured, their formality a nod to the importance of the events they are attending and their classic styles aimed at making any images of them captured a little more timeless.

Young George had never been seen in long pants – until he wore a little uniform at Meghan and Harry’s wedding -in linewith a tradition that dates back centuries.

“It’s a very English thing to dress a young boy in shorts,” British etiquette specialistWilliam Hanson told Harper’s Bazaar. “Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on young boys is one of those silent class markers that we have in England. Although times are (slowly) changing, a pair of trousers on a young boy is considered quite middle class – quite suburban. And no self-respecting aristo or royal would want to be considered suburban.”

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A familiar royal “uniform”

The traditional clothing the little Prince and Princess wear also mean they’re not favouring any trends or drawing too much attention to their outfits. They’re always dressed in a similar way – a sort of familiar royal uniform – and it helps take the pressure off a little when circ*mstances dictate they must appearin front of the media.

While there’s usually a flurry by the general public to snap up the clothes the children wear, they’re generally not setting any new fashion trendsor endorsing the usual luxe labels or high street brands we see on Instagram. When George and Charlotte attend an engagement, it’s hoped that we’rechattingabout the children, their behaviour and the event – rather than what they’re wearing.

The little royals are howeveroften seen championing some classic and niche British designers. When Charlotte trotted and waved her way into St Mary’s Hospital to meet her baby brother, she was wearing a smocked dressby Little Alice London, a label owned by an old friend of the duch*ess of Cambridge, with a vintage-style cardigan.

“They’re not going to date”

British childrens’ wear designer RachelRiley is another favoured by duch*ess Kate. Rachel says says the clothes she designs for kids are an updated version of classic styles, and that they’re perfect for the very formal engagements the little Prince and Princess attend.

Rachel thinks that these traditional looks fit right in withthe styles former royals have worn and they’ll not look out of place in the crown’s family photo album.

“While I don’t wish to mimic period drama – shorts are wider and longer, proportions more relevant for the 21stcentury – I do think my clothes are traditional and that is perhaps the appeal for the duch*ess of Cambridge,” she told The Telegraph.“My clothes are better suited for formal occasion wear, which is predominantly what people come to us for. They’re not going to date in photos in years to come.”

Posted on by Pip Lincolne

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As an enthusiast and expert in fashion history, particularly focused on the attire and style choices within royal families, I can confidently discuss the concepts presented in the article regarding the dressing choices for the youngest royals.

The article delves into the fashion selections for the youngest members of the royal family, shedding light on the deliberate and strategic approach employed by duch*ess Kate in dressing Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Firstly, the clothing choices for the young royals are meticulously selected, considering diplomacy, formality, and longevity. These choices often reflect traditional garments reminiscent of bygone eras, emphasizing formality to match the significance of the events they attend. The intention behind these classic styles is to ensure that images captured of them remain timeless, avoiding the influence of fleeting fashion trends.

There's an emphasis on maintaining a sense of continuity and a nod to tradition within the royal family. For instance, the decision to dress young boys like Prince George in shorts rather than trousers is deeply rooted in English tradition and is considered a subtle class marker. This practice aligns with historical norms and helps preserve the distinction between different social classes.

Additionally, the deliberate choice of a familiar "royal uniform" for the young royals serves multiple purposes. It not only deflects attention from their attire but also ensures consistency and minimizes the focus on fashion trends or specific clothing brands they wear.

While the attire of the youngest royals often captures public attention, it's notable that duch*ess Kate prefers classic and niche British designers for her children's clothing. This choice aligns with her support for traditional yet updated styles that fit seamlessly with the overall image of the royal family. Designers like Rachel Riley, favored by duch*ess Kate, specialize in contemporary adaptations of classic styles, ensuring that the clothing remains relevant and timeless in photographs for years to come.

In essence, the dressing choices for Prince George and Princess Charlotte are a deliberate blend of tradition, formality, and timelessness, curated to fit within the royal family's established image while still subtly championing classic British designers.

The concepts highlighted in this article encompass various aspects of fashion, tradition, cultural markers, diplomatic dressing, and the strategic selection of attire within the royal family, all of which contribute to shaping the public image of the youngest members of the monarchy.

Why do Prince George and Princess Charlotte wear "old-fashioned" outfits? (2024)

FAQs

Why do royal children wear old fashioned clothes? ›

Prince William has been very vocal about wanting George, Charlotte and Louis to be able to grow up 'outside of palace walls', and by dressing their children formally when they are in the public eye, Kate and William can help guard against their children being recognised frequently in public.

What kind of dress does Princess Charlotte wear? ›

"Princess Charlotte's public style is often described as timeless and classic," she said. "Many upper-crust mums flock to Princess Charlotte's favorite brands, like Rachel Riley and Trotters, for Peter Pan collars and smocked bodice dresses. These styles often look timeless in photographs and won't age."

What is Prince George dress code? ›

Why Prince George always wears shorts. Unlike many three-year-olds, Prince George has yet to be seen wearing a T-shirt of his favourite TV character or a even pair of trousers. Experts say this is because it is royal tradition for young princes and princesses to be formally dressed when they are in public.

Is Princess Charlotte a fashion icon? ›

Princess Charlotte may just be 8 years old, but the little royal has already made her mark as a mini fashion icon! Whether she's wearing a sweet floral dress, her school uniform or a cozy, comfy sweater, the princess has a defined sense of preppy-meets-girly style.

Why do royal children wear short pants? ›

According to etiquette expert William Hanson, the reason behind the The Prince and Princess of Wales' outfit choices is upper class tradition. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, he explains that the tradition dates back to the 16th century, saying: "It's a very English thing to dress a young boy in shorts.

Do the royals ever dress casually? ›

Not all of them, but certainly some of them, particularly those worn for special or state occasions - but they do wear them more than once. Yes ,lots of the royals wear casual clothes when not on duty. Pictures of the queen in casual clothes are taken when she is at Sandringham or Balmoral.

Was Charlotte's dress too big? ›

Harry says in the book, “The flower girls' gowns were all "French couture" and had been crafted without a fitting, so it was expected for them to need some adjustment." Recounting the incident, Harry said Kate sent Meghan a text reading: "Charlotte's dress is too big, too long, too baggy.

Who does Princess Charlotte look like the most? ›

She looks like her father and also has a strong resemblance to Queen Elizabeth II.

Does Princess Charlotte wear lipstick? ›

Never mind that Princess Charlotte, daughter of duch*ess Kate and Prince William, is only nine months old and lacks the vocabulary to even say the word "lipstick," the adorable royal has already inspired her first designer lipstick shade.

Can royals wear pants? ›

You'll never see a Royal wearing jeans to an important social event. Women should wear dresses, not trousers, on Royal occasions: This is because Queen Elizabeth preferred dresses to pants. Meghan has broken protocol regarding trousers a few times, but has rarely worn them to a Royal event.

Can royal wear jeans? ›

But in reality, they also love jeans — well, some of them do, anyway. While we doubt we'll ever catch King Charles wearing denim again, we've seen other royals use jeans in all kinds of washes and colors, as a go-to pant for official and personal outings. And why not? They're comfortable, versatile, and relatable.

At what age will Prince George wear long pants? ›

It's usually about 8. Here is George aged 6 in trousers with QEII (likely the very same trousers that Louis was wearing to church too).

Who dressed Princess Charlotte? ›

The eight-year-old Charlotte wore an Alexander McQueen dress and cape in ivory silk crepe with the same motifs, and a Jess Collett X Alexander McQueen headpiece similar to the one worn by her mother, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

Does Princess Charlotte wear jewelry? ›

Princess Charlotte wears a horseshoe brooch, whereas her mother wears a four-strand pearl choker once belonging to Queen Elizabeth.

What is Princess Charlotte changing her name to? ›

Prince George and Princess Charlotte, formerly known as the Prince and Princess of Cambridge, were referred to by their new last names. They are now Prince George of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales — as is the case with the youngest in the family, Prince Louis.

Why do royal children wear sailor outfits? ›

By dressing Albert Edward and her other sons in naval uniforms, Queen Victoria indicated her aspirations for her children and her country. As royalty were the trend-setters of the day, the fashion for sailor suits soon spread across Europe and the United States.

Why were little boys dressed like girls in the 1800s? ›

When the boy was “breeched” or given his first pair of pants, it was symbolic of the father taking over the education of the child. Finally, small boys and girls were dressed alike because they were seen alike. Infants and toddlers were all seen as innocent, meaning sexless or without gender.

Why do royal baby boys wear dresses? ›

The main reason for keeping boys in dresses was toilet training, or the lack thereof. The change was probably made once boys had reached the age when they could easily undo the rather complicated fastenings of many early modern breeches and trousers.

Do the royal children have a dress code? ›

According to the custom Royal parents aren't supposed to put their sons in long pants until around age eight, which dates back to the 16th-century tradition of “breeching,” where boys changed from wearing dressing gowns to breeches and later on to shorts.

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