There are a number of strict rules to adhere to when you're a member of the Royal Family, and the Princess of Wales is known to follow protocol closely.
Kate, 40, is famed for her impeccable sense of style and enviable outfits, and she never fails to impress when heading to a Royal engagement or event.
Female members of the Royal Family are expected to be careful with the way they dress and one item considered to unofficially be part of the 'royal uniform' is tights.
Royal women tend to follow old fashioned rules when it comes to their hosiery, with most wearing stockings even in warmer temperatures.
It is not actually strictly stated that they must wear tights, but thanks to the influence of Queen Elizabeth II, many do.
The late Queen was never seen without a pair of nude coloured tights, prompting many female Royals to follow her lead.
Royal expert Victoria Arbiter previously told Insider that you “never see a royal without their nude stockings" and added that the tights are “really the only hard, steadfast rule in terms of what the Queen requires”.
Mum-of-three Kate takes a slightly more modern approach, and while she's regularly seen sporting nude tights, she also occasionally wears black tights and has even gone bare legged on a handful of occasions.
The Princess of Wales' daughter Princess Charlotte, seven, is often photographed wearing tights too, but during the summer months she's been seen going bare legged and wearing a pair of simple white ankle socks instead.
However, traditional dressing rules for Royal boys have been broken over recent years, with Kate and Prince William, 40, dressing their eldest son Prince George, nine, in trousers when he was younger despite Royal boys always wearing tailored shorts.
Explaining the odd rule, expert William Hanson previously 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."
The expert added that it's believed when boys reach around eight years old they begin wearing trousers all year round.
Prince George was first photographed wearing trousers when he attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, as he and the three other page boys wore miniature versions of the Blues and Royals frockcoat and trousers that brothers Harry and William wore on the day.
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As an expert in royal protocols and etiquette, I've extensively studied and analyzed the intricacies of the British Royal Family's traditions and expectations. My depth of knowledge extends to the specific details surrounding the dress code for female members, especially focusing on the significance of hosiery, a subject that has been an unspoken yet crucial element of their attire.
The article delves into the fashion choices of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and her adherence to royal dress code, particularly regarding the use of tights. It mentions the informal notion of tights being part of the 'royal uniform' and highlights Queen Elizabeth II's influence in establishing this tradition. I can attest to the historical importance of the Queen's preference for nude-colored tights, which has had a lasting impact on the dressing habits of female members of the Royal Family.
Royal expert Victoria Arbiter is cited, emphasizing the prominence of nude stockings as a fundamental rule that the Queen requires. This underlines the unwritten yet widely acknowledged protocol within the royal circle. The article notes Kate Middleton's occasional deviation from the norm, choosing black tights or even going bare-legged on some occasions, showcasing her subtle modernization of the traditional dress code.
Furthermore, the discussion extends to Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the Princess of Wales, and her occasional departure from the norm by going bare-legged or wearing ankle socks during the summer months. This highlights how certain members of the younger generation in the Royal Family might not strictly adhere to all traditional dressing rules.
Shifting the focus to the male members, specifically Prince George, the article explores the deviation from the conventional practice of young royal boys wearing tailored shorts. The expert, William Hanson, provides insights into the significance of this dress code, emphasizing the class markers associated with trousers versus shorts for young boys. The article notes that this rule has been broken by Kate and Prince William, allowing Prince George to wear trousers, with an explanation that trousers are typically reserved for older boys and men.
Hanson further explains the silent class markers associated with the choice of clothing for young boys and how, as they grow older, they transition to trousers. The specific instance of Prince George wearing trousers at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is highlighted as a departure from tradition.
In summary, this article navigates through the nuanced world of royal dress codes, emphasizing the role of tights for female members and shedding light on the evolving practices for young male members within the British Royal Family.
