Black tie, Prince Charlie, but the tie is DECIDEDLY not black

**figheadair** · 6th March 25, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

I was going to try and find a photo of one of the royals wearing balmoral tartan with black tie but I only know of one photo like that and prince Charles wears red and white diced hose (it’s actually a white tie event). Balmoral is also gray so I thought it might be helpful but they seem to not prefer it for that sort of event.

Here’s a young Prince Charles wearing his gray balmoral tartan at a formal event there may be other photos of balmoral tartan in a formal context but I’m not aware of them. Charles is wearing a belt over his waistcoat but he’s also dressed to the nines so there may be a reason for it:

No, he's wearing Dress Stewart, one of only two of only two occasions I know of him wearing it. I suspect that it was a gift as no other Royal has worn it as an adult as far as I know. He no longer wears it.

**Janner52** · 6th March 25, 01:58 AM

From what I remember. from my much younger days, dress tartans were more often seen in the 1950s and 60s but have virtually disappeared from sight since then, other than for highland dancers.

**Allan Thomson** · 12th March 25, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Janner52

From what I remember. from my much younger days, dress tartans were more often seen in the 1950s and 60s but have virtually disappeared from sight since then, other than for highland dancers.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, I wear a dress Thomson (Modern) as well as a Hunting Thomson and I'm not a dancer?

**Janner52** · 12th March 25, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Allan Thomson

I'm not sure what you mean by this, I wear a dress Thomson (Modern) as well as a Hunting Thomson and I'm not a dancer?

My point was that dress tartans do not seem to be worn as much as they were 40 years ago as a part of formal highland dress.

**figheadair** · 13th March 25, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Janner52

My point was that dress tartans do not seem to be worn as much as they were 40 years ago as a part of formal highland dress.

They were very much the choice for many in the 1970s and 1980s. These tartan based on women's arisaid/ domestic blanket patterns. More recently they have fallen out of favour in preference for either more traditional, often red based, tartans, or new designs. What is also the case is that there is less of a concern about keeping green based tartans for daywear.

**MacKenzie** · 13th March 25, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

What is also the case is that there is less of a concern about keeping green based tartans for daywear.

Good thing. Not much w/o green for me.

Like I get invited to "evening" events anyway.

**FossilHunter** · 6th March 25, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

No, he's wearing Dress Stewart, one of only two of only two occasions I know of him wearing it. I suspect that it was a gift as no other Royal has worn it as an adult as far as I know. He no longer wears it.

Thank you!

Of course now it seems that I’ve never seen the royals wear balmoral in a formal context with the exception of Prince Philip’s waistcoat. That seems strange to me.

**figheadair** · 6th March 25, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

Thank you!

Of course now it seems that I’ve never seen the royals wear balmoral in a formal context with the exception of Prince Philip’s waistcoat. That seems strange to me.

As Duke of Rothesay, Prince Charles certainly did. And as King I believe he still does.

Charles hosts Classic FM 25th anniversary live broadcast at Dumfries House, 2017.jpg 2017 - Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay met with The President of Ireland.jpg

**FossilHunter** · 6th March 25, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

As Duke of Rothesay, Prince Charles certainly did. And as King I believe he still does.

Charles hosts Classic FM 25th anniversary live broadcast at Dumfries House, 2017.jpg 2017 - Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay met with The President of Ireland.jpg

Thank you again! I hadn’t seen that picture before so I’m glad to be made aware of it.

The doublet almost looks like it could be midnight blue, or perhaps it’s a trick of the light on the velvet? Regardless it’s an excellent outfit overall.

**figheadair** · 6th March 25, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

Thank you again! I hadn’t seen that picture before so I’m glad to be made aware of it.

The doublet almost looks like it could be midnight blue, or perhaps it’s a trick of the light on the velvet? Regardless it’s an excellent outfit overall.

Yes, it's dark blue velvet HM also has a dark green one tòo.