As Britain experiences a late spring heatwave, the Royal Family’s summer dress code has once again come under the spotlight. Despite soaring temperatures, King Charles and his family maintain a strict approach to formal attire, which often means Prince William and Prince Harry are seldom seen wearing shorts in public—though there are a few notable exceptions.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who served King Charles from 2004 to 2011 when he was Prince of Wales and also attended to Prince William and Princess Catherine at the Highgrove estate, shared insights into the royals’ approach to dressing during hot weather. Speaking to Heart Bingo Online, Harrold explained that tradition heavily influences their sartorial choices, even when temperatures rise.
“The King typically opts for linen during the summer months,” Harrold said. “He wears lighter fabrics like linen and cotton, especially on overseas tours to hotter countries or during sunny days in the UK. But even then, he typically wears a suit and ‘overdresses’ rather than opts for more casual wear like chinos.” Harrold noted that the King aims to always look “extremely smart,” regardless of the weather.
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When it comes to Prince William and Prince Harry, their style is slightly more relaxed but still conservative in public. “William and Harry are different. When the weather gets warm, they’re more likely to wear polo shirts and the same shoes, but you won’t see them wearing chinos or shorts publicly. William may put on shorts when he’s in private, but not during official engagements,” Harrold explained.
Despite the lack of formal dress codes mandating these standards, the royal men consistently prioritize appearing polished and respectful in public settings. “It’s about being a bit overdressed rather than underdressed, especially when preparing for official duties,” Harrold added.
That said, there are exceptions to these rules. William has been photographed wearing shorts at informal, outdoor events like sailing regattas—including the Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta in March 2022 and the Kings Cup regatta on the Isle of Wight in August 2019. Similarly, Harry wore shorts during a rugby match with children at The Sharks rugby club in South Africa in 2015.
In essence, while the Royals maintain a dignified and traditional image during public appearances—even in the heat—they embrace casual shorts for specific, relaxed settings, balancing royal decorum with comfort.