Royal Spectacles! (2024)

Royal Spectacles! (1)

Queen Victoria was 81 when she died–that was extremely old in 1901. At his christening only a few months before she died, Prince Philip’s “Uncle Dickie,” then Prince Louis Francis of Battenberg, knocked the spectacles off the great Queen–his great-grandmother. Self-propagated legend this may be, but it makes a good story.

If not for Victoria, looking back through old photos of the British Royal Family you would assume they were gifted with life-long perfect eyesight. Not true! But back in the day, wearing “spectacles” was seen as a weakness and unbecoming, so people, ladies especially, but gentlemen, too, often groped their way blindly around until the lights went down at the theatre or the cards were dealt at after-dinner bridge or similar times. Prince Philip’s father often sported a monocle!

It was even big news when Queen Elizabeth started wearing glasses and that was in the 1990s. Prince Philip adopted contact lenses as soon as they were available and I suspect a number of other royals may have as well. These days, no one cares if Prince William wears his specs instead of his contacts. Today, I’m looking at some of the glasses, aka “spectacles,” royals have sported over the years.

Wielding a classy lorgnette

The Queen’s Grandmother, Queen Mary, used a very grand dame’s lorgnette–glasses that look like a prop from one of today’s fun photo booths! These handheld specs were more acceptable socially for older ladies to drag out at the theatre or opera.

Pince-Nez, the gentleman’s lorgnette

Monocle–a once-fashionable gentleman’s accessory

Americans recognize pince-nez as those nose-hugging glasses word by President Theodore Roosevelt, President Woodrow Wilson, and President Franklin Roosevelt, who wore them long after they’d fallen out of style. Prince Philip’s father, Prince Andrew (Andrea) of Greece wore pince-nez in his early adulthood. The monocle, beloved as the eyepiece of bad guys in cartoons and movies, was once the fashion. Andrew also wore a monocle.

If you look closely, you’ll spot Edwina’s specs in her hand

Prince Philip’s Aunt, [then] Lady Louis Mountbatten–later Edwina, Countess Mountbatten, hid her spectacles all the time. She also frequently carried a suspiciously glasses-shaped clutch.

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Photo is mine taken of a page in India Remembered by Lady Pamela Mountbatten Hicks

The Mountbatten’s younger daughter, Pamela, shared the specs-vanity problem. Here is a rare photo of her wearing them in India when her father was the last Viceroy.

The Ex-King

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Photo source: Interior Archive

The Duke of Windsor used reading glasses, but being very vain, he left them on his desk.

The Prince Who Has Worn Glasses Since Boyhood

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Prince Richard, his mother HRH the duch*ess of Gloucester, and his elder brother, Prince William of Gloucester at Eton.

Embed from Getty Images

Even today’s Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s paternal first cousin, who has worn glasses since childhood, was occasionally made to take them off for photos. As Prince Richard of Gloucester, he is seen here with his parents and elder brother, Prince William (who died in 1972). Off to the side are his specs–caught for posterity by the photographer.

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Royal Spectacles! (13)

Photo Credit: Majesty Magazine

His Grandson, Xan, Baron Culloden, wears glasses as well. That’s him to the Queen’s right. He is a Paige of Honour–one of the boys who carry the Queen’s train on ceremonial occasions.

The 1960s and onward–times begin to change

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Princess Marina, duch*ess of Kent, was one of the first royals to give in and wear her specs in public. Seen above at Epsom with her daughter, Princess Alexandra, and son-in-law Angus Ogilvy, and at Wimbledon with her son, Prince Michael, and Princess Anne, Marina was seen at Wimbledon in sunglasses regularly.

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Marina’s son, the Duke of Kent

Photo sources: (left) Getty/Canada (right) Damien McFadden
Left photo: Lord Nicholas Windsor and elder brother George, Earl of St. Andrews. They are the sons of the Queen’s paternal first cousin Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. Right photo: George’s son, Edward, Baron Downpatrick and an unidentified friend.

Marina’s Grandsons George, Earl of St. Andrew’s and Lord Nicholas Windsor, have worn glasses for years. George’s son, Edward, Baron Downpatrick, has occassionally appeared in specs.

Embed from Getty Images

Marina’s grandaughter, Lady Helen Windsor’s husband, Tim Taylor, has long worn glasses as well.

Princess Margaret

Photo Credits: (Left) GETTY IMAGES / TIM GRAHAM via Town and Country

The Queen’s late sister, Princess Margaret, wore very stylish glasses at the end of her life–I especially liked these round ones.

Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother

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Photo source: https://members2.boardhost.com

The Queen Mother looked very nice in her glasses, but she was of that very vain 1920s generation who didn’t like to be seen in them!

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh

Photo sources: (Left) NY Post (Right) womanandhome.com

The Queen first used glasses in public sometime around 1982. The Duke of Edinburgh has worn glasses most of his adult life. He just wears contacts most times. The Queen recently had cataracts surgery and appeared in public in sunglasses, just like her late Uncle, The Duke of Windsor did after his surgery in 1965.

Embed from Getty Images

Royal Spectacles! (22)

Photo credit: Getty via Cosmo Magazine
Queen Elizabeth wore sunglasses to avoid canceling engagements after cataract surgery.

Safety Glasses

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The Queen in hideous safety glasses, trailed by Prince Edward and Princess Margaret’s son the then Viscount Linley also wearing the glasses. The Queen has been seen in safety glasses many times.

Photo credit: unknown

I’m fairly sure these were safety glasses required for the visit she was making, but still worth including here.

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Photo source: Daily Mail

Her daughter-in-law, Catherine, duch*ess of Cambridge, has worn safety glasses as well.

The Rest of the Family

Today all three of the Queen’s sons have been seen in glasses to read or drive. Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla, duch*ess of Cornwall, is frequently seen sporting her spectacles for reading. Prince William and his cousin, Peter Phillips, are not shy about wearing their glasses when they choose to.

Photo credits: (Right) Daily Mail and (Left) Daily Mail
Left photo: Prince William in his glasses. Right photo: Peter Phillips, the Queen’s eldest grandchild. wearing his glasses.

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Photo credit
Prince William in regulation RAF glasses
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File photo dated 16/02/11 of the Prince of Wales wearing a pair of glasses to give a speech – the first time the royal is thought to have used spectacles in public, at a dinner at St James Palace for the British Asian Trust. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday February 17, 2011. Charles donned what looked like reading glasses as he addressed a dinner of leading British Asians at St James’s Palace in London last night. The heir to the throne wore the tortoiseshell spectacles at the end of his nose as scanned his text, and occasionally looked over them to address his audience. See PA story ROYAL Charles. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

The Prince of Wales and his wife The duch*ess of Cornwall have both been seen wearing reading glasses.

Photo Credit (both photos) Daily Mail
Prince Edward, with son James, Viscount Severn and wife Sophie with their daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

At Wednesday’s (12/18/2019) Royal Family Christmas lunch, both Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, were seen driving to the palace wearing glasses.

The Happy Royal Groom

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Photo credit: Daily Mail

Princess Eugenie’s husband made sure to bring his glasses to their wedding so he could put them on at just the right moment to clearly see her come down the aisle–a very sweet scene in that lovely royal wedding.

The Disgraced Royal

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Photo credit: Princess Eugenie/Instagram via Hello Magazine

Jack Brooksbank’s disgraced father-in-law, Prince Andrew has given in to middle age as well and donned reading glasses.

Sunglasses are another story–everyone wears them!

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Photo Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty via People Magazine

Prince Louis of Cambridge, aka “Boss Baby,” wearing Mum’s shades.

Leaving you with these two fashionable brothers–the future Edward VIII and the future George VI–in shades

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And The Best Royal Meme Ever

Royal Spectacles! (38)

If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy my post: Smoking Hot Royals!

Royal Spectacles! (2024)

FAQs

What is the strongest eye prescription? ›

-3.00 to -6.00 diopters is moderate. -6.00 to -9.00 diopters is severe. -9.00 diopters or more is extreme.

Is minus 12 eyesight bad? ›

Mild: -0.50 to -3. Moderate: -3.25 to -5.00. High: -5.25 to -10. Extreme: greater than-10.

How do the glasses solve the problem? ›

The eye's lens sends light to the retina, which converts the light into signals that it sends to the brain. This process creates the images we see. Eyeglasses help focus the light appropriately on the retina.

How do I know what spectacles suit me? ›

Four Factors to Choosing Eyeglass Frames
  1. Face Shape. Is your face round, oval, square, diamond or heart-shaped? ...
  2. Consider Colors That Match Your Skin Tone. Just as the shape of your face helps determine which frames look best, so does your skin tone. ...
  3. What's Your Lifestyle? ...
  4. Fit Frames to Your Personality?

Is minus 7 legally blind? ›

If your prescription is -2.5 or lower, this means that you are legally blind. Visual acuity of -2.5 is equivalent to 20/200 vision. Visual acuity of -3.0, for instance, means that you have 20/250 or 20/300 vision. From there, visual acuity of -4.0 means that you have 20/400 vision.

Is minus 10 legally blind? ›

Legal blindness means that your visual acuity is worse than 20/200 or a visual field that is less than 20 degrees even with the best possible correction. In order words, if your prescription is -2.5 or lower, this means that you are legally blind.

Is minus 7.5 legally blind? ›

Near Normal visual impairment: 20/30-20/60. Moderate visual impairment: 20/70-20/160. Severe visual impairment: 20/200-20/400, or 11-20 degrees on the visual field. Profound visual impairment: 20/500-20/1000 visual acuity, or 6- 10 degrees on visual field.

Is minus 14 legally blind? ›

First: What does it mean to be "legally blind?" In most states, if you have distance visual acuity less than 20/200 that is not correctable with glasses/contact lenses, you are legally considered to be "severely visually handicapped" (which used to be called "legally blind").

What strength is legally blind? ›

Visual acuity less than 20/200 is considered legally blind, but to actually fit the definition, the person must not be able to attain 20/200 vision even with prescription eyewear. Many people who would be legally blind without eyewear can function well in everyday life with appropriate glasses or contact lenses.

Why can I suddenly see better without my glasses? ›

Why is that? Answer: Some call this "second sight" which has a simple physiological explanation. As the lens of the eye hardens as we age (the predecessor of frank cataracts) it changes the way light is "bent" as it enters the eye much the way different prescriptions in a pair of glasses do.

Why is my eyesight getting worse even with glasses? ›

Sometimes, however, glasses cannot fix a person's blurred vision, at least not entirely. Most of the time this may be due to age-related eye changes such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, but occasionally it can also happen to younger people.

Why is my eyesight getting worse after wearing glasses? ›

Your eyesight isn't actually getting worse after wearing the glasses—it just seems like it is. When you take off your prescription glasses, the world around you might seem blurrier than you remember pre-glasses. But nothing has changed, aside from your perspective.

Should glasses cover your eyebrows? ›

As a rule, at least the top half of your eyebrows should be visible. Your glasses shouldn't cover them completely, nor should they show them so much that your eyebrows look like they're floating on top of your frame.

Which is the best eyeglass brand? ›

Ray-Ban. When it comes to spectacles, Ray-Ban is a name that needs no introduction. It is one of the leading eyeglasses brands and has been dominating the entire industry with its top-grade products.

What color glasses for blue eyes? ›

Frames that are blue, gray, silver, and some shades of green will complement blue eyes best since they are in the same color spectrum. These colors will make you look clear, open, inviting, and assured.

Is 12 legally blind? ›

Visual acuity less than 20/200 is considered legally blind, but to actually fit the definition, the person must not be able to attain 20/200 vision even with prescription eyewear.

Is 10 eyesight bad? ›

Mild: -0.50 to -3. Moderate: -3.25 to -5.00. High: -5.25 to -10. Extreme: greater than-10.

Is 11 legally blind? ›

In the United States, legal blindness means your central visual acuity—the part of your vision that allows you to see straight ahead—is 20/200 or less in your better eye when wearing corrective lenses.

Is 400 legally blind? ›

In the United States, any person with vision that cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in the best eye, or who has 20 degrees or less of visual field remaining, is considered legally blind. Visual impairments take many forms and exist in varying degrees.

At what prescription are you legally blind? ›

Since being legally blind is determined by visual acuity and field of vision, this generally means that those with a prescription of -2.5 or lower in either or both eyes are considered legally blind.

Is 4.75 legally blind? ›

If you're legally blind, your vision is 20/200 or less in your better eye or your field of vision is less than 20 degrees.

Is negative 5.75 legally blind? ›

Your visual acuity would be less than 6//60 (20/200), so would be legally blind without correction.

Is 9 eyesight bad? ›

At values +0,25 to +3,0 diopters we speak about slight defect, values +3,25 to +6,0 diopters represent medium farsightedness, from +6,25 to +9,0 diopters we talk about high defect. Serious defect (from +9,25 up) comes with impaired vision, but not only in the near but also for further objects.

Is 6.00 legally blind? ›

Legal blindness

Someone is considered to be legally blind when: visual acuity is 20/200 (or 6/60) or less in both eyes after correction, and/or. a visual field of 20 degrees or narrower.

What is the maximum negative eye power? ›

The maximum negative eye power is typically around -20 diopters. This means that if you have myopia of -20 diopters, you will need to wear glasses or contact lenses with a power of -20 in order to see clearly.

Is being legally blind a disability? ›

If you are legally or totally blind, you may be considered disabled and qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). When you are eligible for these benefits, you may also be able to continue to work and receive more income than if you were disabled due to another medical condition.

What is considered bad vision? ›

20/30 to 20/60 vision in the better eye, even with correction glasses, is considered mild vision loss or mild low vision. 20/70 to 20/130 vision is moderate low vision. 20/200 to 20/400 is severe low vision. If you suspect that you may have vision impairment, it's always best to consult with an eye specialist.

Can you get more Social Security if you are blind? ›

If you're receiving SSDI benefits and you're blind, you can earn as much as $2,460 per month in 2023. This is higher than the earnings limit of $1,470 per month that applies to workers with disabilities who aren't blind. The earnings limits usually change each year.

Why is 20 200 legally blind? ›

Based on visual acuity testing, a person is considered legally blind when their best corrected vision is 20/200, which means they need to be at least 20 feet away to see something that a person with normal vision can see from 200 feet away.

Is minus 5 eyesight bad? ›

If your number is between -0.25 and -2.00, you have mild nearsightedness. If your number is between -2.25 and -5.00, you have moderate nearsightedness. If your number is lower than -5.00, you have high nearsightedness.

Can I train my eyes to not need glasses? ›

Practiced faithfully, eye exercises may actually help delay the need for glasses or contacts in some people. But you don't need to buy a special program of exercises or follow prescribed visual gymnastics to accomplish these things.

At what age does your eye prescription stop changing? ›

As it continues to grow, the need to adjust the prescription will naturally change with it. Most people's eyes will stop growing between the ages of 18 and 21, which is when you tend to see the needs for most changes in prescription tapering off.

Can eyes get better with age? ›

According to the American Ophthalmology Association, it is possible to have clearer vision with age. This is referred to as second sight. But this clarity of vision will occur based on the vision problem you had before.

What age do your eyes start getting worse? ›

Usually when you are in your 20s and 30s, your eyes are fairly healthy, and you likely have 20/20 vision, either with or without corrective contact lenses or eyeglasses. Age-related changes in the eyes often begin in your late 30s to early 40s.

Can I get my eyesight back to normal? ›

Luckily, even though minor changes are a normal part of aging, many vision impairments are preventable and treatable. Some age-related vision changes can be corrected with surgery, glasses or contacts. You can also keep your eyesight sharp by taking care of your health before serious problems begin.

What causes astigmatism to worsen suddenly? ›

Astigmatism frequently worsens with age. Your cornea can become more irregular due to pressure from your eyelids as they lose muscle tone.

What are some eye exercises to improve vision? ›

Hold your thumb 10 inches from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds. Alternatively, you can hold a near object with a letter on it to better engage your focusing system. After fifteen seconds, shift your gaze to a target 20 feet (6 meters) away, and again, hold your focus for 15 seconds.

Should you wear glasses all the time? ›

Glasses can be recommended to wear just when studying, reading, working on the computer, driving, etc. Many people do not require glasses for full time wear. If you're not sure, do not hesitate to ask your eye doctor about their recommendations.

What happens if you wear glasses that are too strong? ›

When your prescription is too strong, you might experience dizziness or nausea more often. If wearing your glasses results in these symptoms, contact your optometrist to schedule an eye exam and refresh your prescription.

How do you tell if glasses are too big for your face? ›

Glasses that are too big will feel like they're slipping off of your face and ears. They'll often be too wide for your face, with the lenses extending too far past the sides. If your eyes look a bit too close together (or close to the glasses bridge), that's another signal that your glasses might be too big.

Where should glasses touch your head? ›

The arms of your eyeglasses should go straight back towards your ears and only contact the side of your head just in front of your ears. If temples curve too early, they'll push the glasses down your nose and apply too much pressure on the bridge, leading to headaches.

Should glasses hug your face? ›

The right pair of glasses should rest comfortably on the bridge of your nose. They should not press against your forehead or cheeks. They also shouldn't rest so far toward the end of your nose that they slip when you squint or wrinkle your nose.

Who makes America's best glasses? ›

America's Best is part of National Vision, one of the largest and fastest-growing optical retailers in the United States.

How can you tell if glasses are good quality? ›

Tell-tale signs of a well made a pair of prescription eyeglasses
  1. IMPECCABLE FINISH QUALITY. Premium eyewear is similar to high-end jewelry, or watches. ...
  2. GENUINE RIVET HINGES. The hinge is the only moving part in a pair of eyeglasses. ...
  3. ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS. ...
  4. THE CLEAREST LENSES.

Which lenses are better glass or plastic? ›

Glass lenses provide the clearest vision with the smallest amount of distortion. Scratch resistance. Glass lenses are almost impossible to scratch, while plastic lenses can be scratched easily if you are not careful. Thin and attractive.

What colors to avoid with blue eyes? ›

Colors to Avoid for Blue Eyes

Steer clear from blue and green eyeshadows. A color that's too close to your own irises makes your eyes look small and scrunched. But if you absolutely have to try it out, go for a blue smoky eye with a shade that is darker than your own.

What color glasses go with everything? ›

The best rule of thumb is matching your glasses to your outfit to avoid clashing colors; fortunately, the most common frame colors for glasses are black, white, grey, and silver, which go with just about everything, so you may not need to think too deeply about matching your glasses to most outfits.

What color glasses are most flattering? ›

For a subdued and understated look, choose frames in a colour that match with the neutral tones in your eyes, such as brown, beige, or black. If you want to channel a fun, statement-making look, choose a colour that's contrasting but complementary to your eye colour.

What is the max negative eye prescription? ›

The maximum negative eye power is typically around -20 diopters. This means that if you have myopia of -20 diopters, you will need to wear glasses or contact lenses with a power of -20 in order to see clearly.

How bad is minus 10 eyesight? ›

Mild: -0.50 to -3. Moderate: -3.25 to -5.00. High: -5.25 to -10. Extreme: greater than-10.

Is 5.5 eyesight legally blind? ›

Visual acuity less than 20/200 is considered legally blind, but to actually fit the definition, the person must not be able to attain 20/200 vision even with prescription eyewear. Many people who would be legally blind without eyewear can function well in everyday life with appropriate glasses or contact lenses.

What is legally blind prescription? ›

What prescription is considered legally blind? Legal blindness is defined as 20/200 vision. 14 The prescription equivalent is -2.5. It is important to note that prescriptions for corrective lenses are different for each person, and measurements can be different for each eye.

What is legally blind vision? ›

In order to be legally blind, you must have a visual acuity of 20/200. This means that even with glasses or contacts, you can only read the first letter at the top of the Snellen Chart, if that. You can also be legally blind if you can see, but only in a very small window in your eye.

How bad is minus 14 eyesight? ›

A lens Rx for -14 Diopters tells us you have a very, very high degree of nearsightedness (myopia). This would be considered in the "severe" range. Of all the people who are myopic, less than 2% are worse than -10 Diopters.

What is the baddest eyesight? ›

20/10 vision is thought to be the maximum visual acuity of human eyes without binoculars or other magnifying devices. Recent advances in optics have led to the creation of corrective lenses that can provide this ultra-sharp vision.

What is a bad astigmatism number? ›

Between . 75 and 2 diopters is considered mild astigmatism. Between 2 and 4 diopters is moderate astigmatism, and 4 or more diopters is considered significant or “bad” astigmatism. Generally, eyes with 1.5 diopters of astigmatism or more require correction.

What are the worst eye diseases? ›

The leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States are primarily age-related eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

What is considered poor eyesight? ›

20/30 to 20/60 vision in the better eye, even with correction glasses, is considered mild vision loss or mild low vision. 20/70 to 20/130 vision is moderate low vision. 20/200 to 20/400 is severe low vision. If you suspect that you may have vision impairment, it's always best to consult with an eye specialist.

What is the lowest vision you can have? ›

20/200 - This is the level at which you are considered to be legally blind. That means a person with 20/200 vision has to be 20 feet away from an object to see clearly, whereas a person with normal eyesight can see clearly at 200 feet away.

How far is legally blind? ›

Part 1 of the U.S. definition of legal blindness states this about visual acuity: A visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better-seeing eye with best conventional correction (meaning with regular glasses or contact lenses).

Is 9.5 legally blind? ›

In the United States, a person is considered legally blind if they have, vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in the best eye or 20 degrees or less of their peripheral visual field remaining.

How much eye number is normal? ›

Having 20/20 vision means you have normal or average, vision. Some people have vision that's better than 20/20, like 20/15 vision or 20/10 vision.

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