The women of the British royal family are actually regarded as fashion role models, why King Charles of all people could now surpass them, reveals a little look at his fashion favorites, which he has relied on for years.
The coronation of King Charles III, 74, is fast approaching. He will officially ascend the throne on May 6th and, as the king of modernity, will find his own style of government, which will certainly differ from that of his mother. On other issues, such as their own representation, Charles and Queen Elizabeth, † 96, are already more similar than one might think. The late monarch was considered very diplomatic when it came to her wardrobe, a trait she seems to have passed on to her son.
King Charles, the new fashion king?
While Kate, Camilla or Meghan like to integrate current fashion trends into their looks, it is Charles who has been perfecting his timeless, elegant and individual style for years. As a big advocate of environmental protection, his wardrobe is clearly characterized by sustainability, which is perceived as diplomatic, modest and progressive, especially in today’s world. The 74-year-old prefers to have fewer things in his wardrobe, instead having real favorites that he uses again and again.
In an interview with Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, King Charles admits that he doesn’t see himself as fashionable or contemporary, rather he is a stopped watch that gets right twice a day. Of course he thinks about colors and details when it comes to his wardrobe, but it is above all others that would bring his ideas to life: “I’m lucky that I can find wonderful people who are brilliant doers of the things I do and that’s why I’m trying to keep her alive longer”. One of these treasures is a wool coat with a tweed structure.
King Charles and his 40 year old coat
The British monarch ushered in the New Year with a coat that he has owned for years. That fact caught the eye of one savvy fan who instantly recognized the double-breasted wool coat and revealed on his TikTok account that this piece had been one of the king’s favorites since the ’80s. Pictures prove this thesis. He wore the coat both at Carlisle in 1986 and at Sandringham in 1988. The picture also shows: thanks to good textile care, the coat still looks the same almost 40 years later as it did then.
King Charles has a favorite coat and he’s worn it for over 40 years.
©Getty Images
Charles, the individualist
Extroverted or provocative aren’t adjectives to describe King Charles III’s style, yet he doesn’t always follow the norm when it comes to fashion. For example, he doesn’t wear his wedding ring on his ring finger, but on the little finger of his left hand – underneath another piece from his treasure chest. A golden signet ring, which reveals his family and rank, has graced the Brit’s little finger for years. It is difficult to say exactly when he received the ring, but pictures from 1979 already show him with the eye-catching piece of jewelery on his hand.
King Charles does not wear his wedding ring on his ring finger, but under his signet ring on the little finger of his left hand.
© Indigo / Getty Images
When it comes to suits, the monarch swears by Gieves & Hawkes
Fine tailoring is the secret behind King Charles’ sustainable fashion concept. The higher the quality of the materials and workmanship, the more durable the garment. Of course, the monarch does not only rely on tailoring for his wardrobe. He keeps a close connection to Anderson & Sheppard or Kinloch Anderson. However, for important occasions, such as his wedding to Princess Diana, he relies on the traditional house of Gieves & Hawkes. The tailoring shop is known for the production of military and evening wear for men and is thus commissioned by some royals to tailor their wardrobe for formal appointments. In 2009, the king was even allowed to lend a hand during a visit to the tailor’s shop and cut fabrics for a new masterpiece.
King Charles visits Gieves & Hawkes Tailoring with Queen Camilla in 2009. A visit in which he can become active himself.
© Kirsty Wigglesworth / Getty Images
Tailored shirts by Turnbull & Asser
But what would a suit be without the matching shirt? The head of the British royal family gets this from the shirt manufacturer Turnbull & Asser. The company has existed for over 100 years and can still enjoy great popularity today. King Charles began his partnership with the company in the 1980s and has remained loyal to the shirts to this day. Turnbull & Asser and the British royal family also fit together ideologically: During the corona pandemic, the company made its workroom in Gloucester available for the production of medical uniforms for the staff of the national health service, thereby showing its non-profit character. An act rewarded with a 2020 visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The King and Queen Consort to visit British shirt manufacturer Turnbull & Asser in July 2020.
© Matthew Horwood / Getty Images
Smell like a royal? King Charles has launched his own perfume
For once smelling like the royals, or at least like the gardens of Highgrove Garden, that dream is closer than you think. King Charles launched a perfume in August 2022 in collaboration with Perfumery Penhaligons, with some scented notes from his garden. But not only the silver linden blossom, the mimosa or the cedar wood of the Highgrove Garden enchant as a concept, part of the proceeds from the sale of the eau de parfum go to “The Prince’s Foundation”. King Charles Foundation supports educational programs, sustainable craft and art projects as well as sustainable agriculture. Smell like a royal and do something good at the same time has never been so easy.
It’s not the first time that Charles has gotten involved in the fashion and beauty world. He is co-founder of The Modern Artisan Project, where design students create collections and have them made by apprentices and distributed with the help of The Prince’s Foundation and YOOX NET-A-PORTER. Charles thus combines his passion for sustainability and high-quality tailoring with the promotion of young artists.
Just looking at King Charles’ favorite pieces shows how carefully and diplomatically he chooses his wardrobe, his partnerships and business ideas. His style is by no means boring repetition, everything has a meaning and stands in the spirit of longevity. The German “GQ” even goes so far as to call Charles the new king of men’s fashion.
Sources used: thegentlemansjournal.com, gq-magazin.de, vogue.co.uk