Prince William’s ‘message of rebellion’ against King Charles during state visit

Claims heir to the throne may be ‘selective’ about which royal traditions to observe

Prince William ‘sounded a note of rebellion’ towards his father King Charles in recent days, a royal commentator reckons.

The royal family swung into action this week, as President Macron was hosted for a three-day state visit. The French politician, 47, and his wife Brigitte, were welcomed by the King, Queen Camilla, the heir to the throne, and Princess Kate at Windsor Castle last Tuesday (July 8) at the start of the ceremonial trip.

Princess Anne and Prince Edward were also in attendance as The Firm rolled out the red carpet with a banquet.  However, amid the prominent roles the Prince and Princess of Wales performed while entertaining Mr and Mrs Macron, one MailOnline columnist argues Prince William may have ‘breached’ expected protocol.
Prince William and Prince Harry wearing the ‘Windsor uniforms’ in 2016 (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Signs of ‘rebellion’ from Prince William to King Charles?

That’s because Prince William, according to MailOnline, may have diverted from the expected norms of conduct for the occasion.

Journalist Richard Eden claims the king’s eldest son may have been expected to follow his father’s lead when it comes to formal dress.

However, while King Charles wore the historic ‘Windsor uniform’ regalia – consisting of navy and red coats and created by King George III in 1777 – it seems Prince William may have abstained from doing so. Meanwhile, his relatives Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, as well as Prince Edward, did complement the monarch’s look.

Mr Eden claims: “Instead of co-ordinating with his father, the heir to the throne chose to wear white tie. This was, I am told, no accident.”

 

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Prince William’s ‘view on tradition’

Mr Eden went on to suggest Prince William was ‘selective’ about which royal traditions to observe.

Prince William respects tradition, but does not believe that we always have to follow it.

An unnamed courtier is quoted as reflecting: “His Royal Highness dressed appropriately. But does not need to match his father on all occasions. It’s no secret that William does not feel hidebound by tradition. He respects tradition, but does not believe that we always have to follow it.”
King Charles wore the ‘Windsor uniform’ for the state banquet – but Prince William did not (Credit: YouTube)
Additionally, Mr Eden concluded that Prince William’s decision could be interpreted as a form of ‘revolt’ against his father specifically.

He reasoned: “Given that William was prepared to wear the uniform for his beloved grandmother, it could be seen as an act of rebellion that he chose not to put it on now his father is on the throne.”
King Charles wearing breeches (Credit: Splashnews.com)

‘Not the first time’

Mr Eden also posits that Prince William has “demonstrated his unease with some of the more antiquated sartorial traditions maintained by the king” previously.

He notes a Buckingham Palace reception for the Diplomatic Corps in November 2024 evidenced a division between father and son.

At that event, King Charles wore white tie with traditional knee breeches and buckled shoes. Prince William, however, was attired in modern trousers and shoes.
No breeches for Prince William (Credit: Splashnews.com)
Mr Eden also ponders whether Prince William might refrain from wearing a kilt in future. Already the Duke of Rothesay and the holder of other Scottish titles, he has not been seen in one since he was a child.

And while he admits the absence of red cloth on Prince William’s collar may seem “a trivial detail”, he insists: “It is a highly significant sign of what to expect from the next royal reign.”

A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment to MailOnline.