King Charles III's Enduring Connection to Scottish Kilts and Tartans

King Charles III frequently wears kilts, traditional Scottish garments, during his visits to Scotland for events like Highland games and official engagements. His use of kilts has been noted since his youth, and while not a common garment for most of the royal family, it has been a consistent element of Charles's attire, similar to his late father, Prince Philip.

King Charles III Tartan

In 2023, a distinct tartan was designed for King Charles III to commemorate his coronation. This tartan, featuring green, blue, and red, was developed by the Scottish Tartans Authority and produced by Lochcarron of Scotland using 100% Scottish wool. Charles was involved in the design process and made the final selection. The pattern incorporates elements of the Balmoral tartan, dating to approximately 1850, and features a central triple stripe found in other royal tartans he has worn. The colors are derived from 18th-century natural dye samples from the Scottish Tartans Authority's collection, giving the fabric an authentic historical appearance. This new tartan was first publicly worn at the Braemar Gathering in September 2023 and has since been officially recorded.

Duke of Rothesay Tartan

Prior to becoming King, Charles held the title Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, and a tartan associated with this role has a history dating back to the early 19th century. This tartan emerged during a period of renewed interest in tartans following King George IV's visit to Edinburgh in 1822. The pattern is characterized by a deep navy blue base interwoven with lines of green, red, and yellow, suitable for formal occasions. A variation for outdoor use also exists. Charles wore versions of this tartan frequently at Scottish events during his tenure as Prince of Wales.

Lord of the Isles Tartan

The Lord of the Isles tartan, with roots possibly extending to portraits from the 1750s, is among the older patterns in the royal collection. Historically, the title of Lord of the Isles belonged to Clan Donald chiefs before being transferred to the Scottish Crown in 1493. Following the union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603, the title has been associated with the Prince of Wales. The modern royal family's connection to this tartan dates to the mid-19th century, with variations appearing throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A hunting version with reversed coloring also came into use.