Royal children must adhere to numerous strict rules, from the length of their trousers to their mode of transportation.
However, one of our favorite rule-breaking moments occurred when Prince George decided to flout the dress code during a state visit… by wearing his dressing gown.
Let’s go back to 2016. The young royal, who is now ten years old, was captured looking sleepy as he shook hands with then-President of the United States, Barack Obama, during a state visit at Buckingham Palace. His chosen attire?
A monogrammed robe paired with gingham pajamas and adorable airplane slippers.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were hosting a dinner for Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, which allowed young George to stay up past his bedtime to meet them.
Rule-Breaking Royal Protocol
It has been widely reported that royal children are not permitted to meet with heads of state. However, this is not accurate, as the Wales children had previously met Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Boris Johnson when he was Prime Minister of the UK.
What did constitute a breach of protocol, however, was little George’s outfit. Obama amusingly commented on the adorable moment at the time, joking that it was a “slap in the face.”
“It’s not just Congress. Even some foreign leaders have been looking ahead, anticipating my departure,” he said. “Last week Prince George showed up to our meeting in his bathrobe. That was a slap in the face. A clear breach of protocol.”
Poor George was up well past his bedtime so his unusual attire was allowed!
Royal Dress Codes
Etiquette expert Lucy Hume from Debrett’s previously explained the royal dress code in a video on The Royal Family Channel on YouTube.
She detailed the three levels of formality, emphasizing that guests meeting the royals should exercise caution.
The first dress code is white tie, typically expected for state banquets or royal events. It closely resembles a black tie, with the addition of a white bowtie with a wing collar for men, while women traditionally wear a long, formal evening gown.
The next level of formality is black tie events, which require a “shorter dinner jacket for men and a black bowtie.” Women have more flexibility and can choose between a trouser suit or a cocktail dress.
Finally, the smart casual dress code permits the royals to wear more comfortable attire, such as a jumper paired with a collared shirt.
While comfort is always key, it’s important to play it safe. “A royal event is not necessarily a time to go too unconventional or too alternative. It’s just one of those occasions where it makes sense to stick with tradition,” the style expert said.
