Royal Fashion: The Interesting History of the Prince of Wales Check Fashion

Where did it come from and to whom it was named?

If you're into fashion and style, you are familiar by now with this chic fabric pattern called The Prince of Wales check. Although most of us probably call it simply "plaid".

Diana, the Princess of Wales wearing a Prince of Wales check blazer in 1986

Most royals donned it, from King Charles III, Diana, the Princess of Wales, and to the current Princess of Wales. Other royals in the continent are also seen wearing classic fashion. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has a plaid coat dress and Queen Letizia of Spain loved her Prince of Wales check trousers.

Queen Letizia pictured in 2017, 2018, and 2023 wearing her favorite Prince of Wales check trousers

What is the Prince of Wales check?

The pattern is similar to tartan, which is part of the national costume of Scotland but the Prince of Wales check, also known as Glen plaid, is usually a monochrome pattern, made up of grey/black and white patterns, but in recent decades, the colors evolved and now have red and brown versions. 

The Prince of Wales check fabrics

According to fashion experts, the Prince of Wales check is an iconic and timeless fashion, bringing an elegant look to tailoring. Almost all luxury fashion houses around the world integrated the Prince of Wales check into their apparel collections. 

Where did it come from?

According to its history, it originated in the Scottish Highlands in the 19th century during the hunting season, in the valley of Glenurquhart, Invernessshire, Scotland, thus it is often called Glen plaid.

One day, the Countess of Seafield was looking for an attire for her ground staff in her estate. An outfit that could withstand the cold weather of the Scottish Highlands. She later took notice of the fabric from the locals and adopted it for her staff.

Then she met the Prince of Wales, Prince Bertie, the eldest son of Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales was often in the highlands for hunting. 

The Prince of Wales check was named after King Edward VII

King Edward VIII, formerly David, the Prince of Wales, popularized the Prince of Wales check suits

He noticed the new fabric in the countess' staff. Prince Bertie was so impressed with the durability and the ability of the fabric to keep the wearer warm during the cold season that he began adopting it as part of his wardrobe.

That is where the name, “Prince of Wales check” originates.

David, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII. After he abdicated he became Duke of Windsor

However, the Prince of Wales who made this pattern extra fashionable and famous was Prince David, the grandson of King Edward VII. David would later become King Edward VIII, who, after his abdication in 1936, was given the title, the Duke of Windsor.

The Prince of Wales, David, was a style icon in his generation and was known for his elegant suits. He popularized the Prince of Wales check suits, which were then adopted by many fashion houses, eventually securing a place in apparel history as a timeless fabric fashion.

King Charles III loves to don the Prince of Wales suits

The Prince of Wales next to him, his great-nephew, now King Charles III reignited the fashion world's interest in the Prince of Wales check suits by integrating it into his wardrobes and ultimately became his signature looks.

Charles during his time as Prince of Wales

He frequently wore this pattern usually in a low buttoned, double-breasted style jacket. Eventually, style icons around the world took notice of it as it can look equally elegant in the office as it does at a fancy event.

Charles and Diana, the former Prince and Princess of Wales, wearing the Prince of Wales check attire

Diana, the Princess of Wales wearing the Prince of Wales check outfits

This fashion style evolved and became not only for menswear but for ladies' wear as well. Diana, the Princess of Wales, during her marriage with the Prince of Wales, was seen on numerous occasions wearing the Prince of Wales check attire. Today, the current Princess of Wales has also been seen many times wearing this timeless fabric.

But the Prince of Wales check of today is already altered and no longer has the same pattern as the one popularized by the two Edwards, but fashion houses still called it the Prince of Wales check owing to the two Princes of Wales who started the trend and popularized this fashion.

Prince William on a rare occasion wearing the Prince of Wales check blazer 

However, the current Prince of Wales, William, seems not fond of this quintessentially British fashion. Compared to the last three Prince of Wales ahead of him, he is rarely seen wearing this type of suit, breaking the pattern of "the Prince of Wales check signature look" among British heirs.

The current Princess of Wales wearing a blazer made from the Prince of Wales check fabric

His wife, nonetheless, continues the royal tradition of wearing this classic Scottish highlands fashion staple. 

Kate loves to wear the Prince of Wales check timeless fashion 

Catherine loved to don this type of fabric, perhaps, due to the comfort it gives to the wearer. She was seen on numerous occasions rocking a fabulous outfit made from this fabric.

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium in a double-breasted coat dress

We also love this version of Princess Elisabeth, the Duchess of Brabant's Prince of Wales check double-breasted coat dress. She wore this outfit at Prince Gabriel's Blue Cap Parade in 2022. She looked so stylish and elegant.

Princess Elisabeth attends her brother's Blue Cap Parade