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

[Janner52]

Continuing on the subject of the tie colour, l have to say that my take is that if the ticket or invitation states “Black tie” it means exactly that and anything else could be construed as disrespectful to the host’s wishes. I do understand that, in this day and age less specific dress codes can be suggested and in that case freedom of expression is acceptable.
Fortunately with the kilt, as can clearly be seen in the then prince’s attire, there is scope for personal style and he certainly has form for displaying that.

[figheadair]

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]

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.

[kiltedsawyer]

I assume it’s washed out due to camera flash but looking closer it may also not be balmoral as it lacks the red running through to larger lighter areas.

I don’t know what else it would be though.

I would have guessed Stewart Dress Tartan.

[FossilHunter]

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.

[jsrnephdoc]

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.

A few random observations:

1. The photo is reversed
2. There are 5 men in the picture. At the neck, two are in white, two are in black, and one is in GREEN. So much for uniformity. They all look good, and none seem embarrassed by the conflicting cervical anchors of their dress.
3. Prince Philip's kilt hose are amazing!
4. To this uninformed observer, Prince Charles looks the LEAST well dressed, almost as if he just put on whatever emerged from his closet in random order. He must have learned a bit since then. I have a photo of him, recently crowned Monarch, visiting Lochcarron Mills and chatting with the lovely matron who several months earlier gave US her little lecture at the very same workstation on how to repair a single-thread repeating error with a needle in a single bolt of tartan cloth. He looks MUCH better coordinated there. (I'm pretty sure the photo essay is still on Lochcarron's website).

But, DAMN, I think Prince Philip's Kilt hose are crazy good. Where would one get such?

[Janner52]

There are companies in the UK which make them to order. About £300.00 as far as I can tell from a quick google. Others on this forum may be able to provide recommendations. The Balmoral tartan is restricted so you may have difficulty obtaining similar hose.
You can purchase diamond or tartan ready made hose in a selection of colours for about half the price I mentioned earlier.

Good luck with your efforts.

[DCampbell16B]

[*]There are 5 men in the picture. At the neck, two are in white, two are in black, and one is in GREEN. So much for uniformity. They all look good, and none seem embarrassed by the conflicting cervical anchors of their dress.

I believe the men in trousers all have white tie. The green is a ribbon holding an order or medallion. There appears to be a white tie over the green. Black tie in Highland dress can be worn for white tie.

[Jock Scot]

[QUOTE=jsrnephdoc;1410739]A few random observations:

[*]There are 5 men in the picture. At the neck, two are in white, two are in black, and one is in GREEN. So much for uniformity. They all look good, and none seem embarrassed by the conflicting cervical anchors of their dress.[/LIST]

The green shows a different Honour(Order if Chivalry) to others, I would imagine there are many different "Honours" were being worn on different coloured ribbons on this type of occasion.

[figheadair]

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