With Prince William debating if he should wear a kilt, what is the significance of the tartan & the Royals?

It’s not just Harry and Meghan who are currently facing the stinging viewpoints in the court of public appeal; William, Prince of Wales is now facing admonishment from some of the Scottish public for his apparent “hesitance” to don a kilt, much like his father King Charles III.

Not since he was a child has Prince William worn a kilt, which has become a noted part of the Royal family’s attire when spending time at Balmoral Castle, the grounds where Queen Elizabeth II died and where a commemorative service will be held a year since her passing. 

That’s led to some members of the public and even journalists themselves to take aim at the prince, with The Telegraph’s Alan Cochrane stating William "should accept wearing one whilst working, and certainly at Balmoral, or while on official duty north of the Highland line". Cochrane believes that the kilt “should be regarded as part of [William's] uniform."

There has been no official reason why Prince William has decided to eschew wearing a kilt, with some speculating that perhaps the future king simply is not a fan of the practicalities of wearing one, despite it being a trait shared by other Royal family members - some have made utterances of a “boycott,” however there has been no mention by the prince or those within “The Establishment” of such a gesture.

But for some, the notion that William “must” wear a kilt, despite being born in England, is a concept that seems a little hyperbolic; so why have members of the Royal family taken up a tradition of wearing the kilt whilst in Scotland?

Why do the Royal family wear kilts when they’re not Scottish?

The British Royal family occasionally wears kilts as a symbolic gesture to honour their connections to Scotland and its cultural heritage. The Royal family has a historic tie to Scotland through various titles, roles, and traditions. For example, Queen Elizabeth II held the title of "Queen of Scots." Additionally, King Charles III once held the title of "Duke of Rothesay" in Scotland, which has been passed down to Prince William. 

Wearing kilts can be seen as a way for the Royal family to acknowledge and celebrate these connections. Kilts are an integral part of Scottish tradition and culture, and they are often associated with Scottish identity. By wearing kilts during official events or ceremonies in Scotland, the Royal family shows respect for the country's history and traditions.

Is there one particular tartan that the Royal family wear?

Each tartan is associated with a particular clan or family, and different members of the Royal family may choose to wear the tartan associated with their titles or ancestral connections.

Queen Elizabeth II often wore the Royal Stewart tartan. This tartan is one of the most recognizable and is often associated with the Royal family. As the former Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, Prince Charles frequently wears the Balmoral tartan, which is associated with the Royal Family's Balmoral Castle in Scotland. He also has his own personal tartan known as the "Royal Birkdale" tartan.

On the occasions he does wear a kilt, Prince William often wears the Black Watch tartan. The Black Watch, also known as the Royal Highland Regiment, is a historic Scottish regiment. The same also applied to Prince Harry while he was a working Royal family member.

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has her own personal tartan known as the "Princess Royal's Personal Tartan." The tartan was designed by the Scottish tartan designer and historian Sir Thomas Innes of Learney and was officially registered with the Scottish Tartans Authority in 1965. 

The design of the Princess Royal's tartan incorporates soft blue tones as well as red and white, with lines of black and green, resulting in a balanced and elegant pattern.