When Prince William rocked up to the British premiere of the Top Gun sequel in May in a pair of black velvet slippers embroidered with fighter jets, the British fashion press was delighted. Was the future king finally ready to step into the style spotlight and live up to the potential of his father?
When it comes to the Windsors, the apple hasn’t fallen particularly close to the tree. Widely regarded as one of the best-dressed men in the country, Prince Charles is happiest in beautifully tailored, three-piece Savile Row suits. He is also known to sometimes change outfits five times a day and employs between four and five valets to look after his clothes. It may not be relatable, but the result of this fastidious behaviour is that Charles has long been hailed as an example of older British style at its best.
William, by contrast, mostly wears chinos, jumpers and pressed shirts, thereby making himself indistinguishable from thousands of upper-crust Englishmen. It makes sense: he grew up in the glare of the modern paparazzi and has no need to generate headlines, and yet sometimes his predictable fashion choices can be rather un-seemingly.
