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You guys, the Telegraph is talking about Prince William’s “style.” You will not even believe the main thesis of this piece either. If I asked you “what is William known for sartorially?” I think most people would say “unflattering slim-cut trousers” or “moose knuckle” or “looking drab and unmoisturized.” William is not a style icon in any way – he does not wear clothes well, unlike his father and his brother. Don’t @ me, King Charles has had impeccable style for decades. One could argue that Charles’ style was too mature/old when he was a young man, but his double-breasted suits and crisp French-cuff shirts look timeless and sharp today. Prince Harry’s style has evolved so much over the past decade too, and he’s helped out by the fact that he wears clothes well and he has the confidence and charisma to pull off anything. William just looks constipated all the time. Anyway, the Telegraph’s story is about how William is trying to style himself in a more continental way. A FRENCH way.
Pretending not to care (while secretly being very attentive to appearance) is a national sport in France. But even the chicest Parisians have noted that Britain’s Prince William has recently added pieces by French designers to his wardrobe. As we mark the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, it’s a marriage of English and French style which feels entirely appropriate.
The Prince has been photographed wearing jackets by cult French brand Sézane and knitwear by Cyrillus; the latter is one of the traditional suppliers of elegant French clothes, and has previously featured in the wardrobe of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Prince’s Sézane jacket is particularly “French” because it’s a modern version of the classic worker jacket – the utilitarian item that rose to prominence in uniforms of the 1800s.
Prince William may have been taking pointers from his wife, the Princess of Wales, who has a long-held appreciation for Gallic design; see her Ballon Bleu watch by Cartier, for example. When the Princess came to Marseille to support the English rugby team last year, she could have passed for a well-dressed French woman in her white trouser suit and Chanel handbag. And it’s hard to get more French than the striped Breton top, symbolic of sailors from Brittany or Normandy, which she owns in numerous iterations.
Of course, Prince William certainly doesn’t have to take lessons in dressing well. While his taste might err on the casual side, the heir to the British throne comes from a long line of men in the Windsor family who are rightly regarded as models of elegance. They know how to promote the British style envied and copied throughout the world. It’s a form of sartorial excellence known to the best-dressed French men, who don’t hesitate to cross the Channel to have perfect suits made, whether in days gone by at Henry Poole – Emperor Napoleon III’s official tailor – or today with Jeremy Hackett at 14 Savile Row.
I’m sure these kinds of puff pieces are coming from Kensington Palace and William’s new dresser/valet. It’s like self-promotion for the valet, who is very bad at his job. The valet can’t even convince William to use a good moisturizer or night cream. The valet can’t even get William out of his slim-cut trousers or end Huevo’s love affair with those creepy knit ties. I realize that while Kate is out of view, it would probably look bad for William to show up in a brand new wardrobe and a whole new style, but “making the heir wear a French cardigan” is merely slapping a band-aid on this whole train wreck.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 03: Prince William, Prince of Wales visits Fitzalan High School as he celebrates the beginning of Black History Month on October 03, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush, the Prince and Princess of Wales will hear from pupils about the work they have been doing around black history.,Image: 810533245, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
William, Prince of Wales departs Kia Oval Cricket Ground, London, England, UK on Friday 8 March, 2024 after meeting 2022 Earthshot Prize Winner and sustainable packaging start-up, Notpla.,Image: 855002298, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
Britain’s Prince William cuts celery as he helps to make a bolognase sauce during a visit to Surplus to Supper, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Prince visited Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, to learn about its work bridging the gap between food waste and food poverty across Surrey and West London.
NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 865900566, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
The Prince of Wales (left) and Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Kevin McGrath, during a visit to WEST, the new OnSide charity youth zone in Hammersmith and Fulham, west London, to see the new purpose-built facilities that will soon be available to young people in the area
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales, Kevin McGrath
Where: London, United Kingdom
When: 14 Mar 2024
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Prince of Wales during a visit to WEST, the new OnSide charity youth zone in Hammersmith and Fulham, west London, to see the new purpose-built facilities that will soon be available to young people in the area
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: London, United Kingdom
When: 14 Mar 2024
Credit: Frank Augstein/PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Prince of Wales during a visit to Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, at the charity’s headquarters based in Sunbury Cricket Club, in Surrey, to see how surplus food from across the local area is delivered, sorted and re-packaged for delivery to small community organisations
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: Surrey, United Kingdom
When: 18 Apr 2024
Credit: Alastair Grant/PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Prince of Wales (third right) watches as toiletries are packed during a visit to Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, at the charity’s headquarters based in Sunbury Cricket Club, in Surrey, to see how surplus food from across the local area is delivered, sorted and re-packaged for delivery to small community organisations
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: Surrey, United Kingdom
When: 18 Apr 2024
Credit: Alastair Grant/PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Prince William visits St. Michael’s Church of England High School in Sandwell to learn about
the award-winning student-led initiatives available to pupils to support their mental health and
wellbeing.
The Prince was initially invited to visit the school in a letter posted on X by twelve-year-old Freddie Hadley last October. Whilst unable to visit at the time, His Royal Highness responded to the letter with a message on X on World Mental Health Day, commending Freddie and St. Michael’s School on their work to tackle mental health challenges faced by pupils.
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: Sandwell, United Kingdom
When: 25 Apr 2024
Credit: Cover Images
Prince William visits St. Michael’s Church of England High School in Sandwell to learn about
the award-winning student-led initiatives available to pupils to support their mental health and
wellbeing.
The Prince was initially invited to visit the school in a letter posted on X by twelve-year-old Freddie Hadley last October. Whilst unable to visit at the time, His Royal Highness responded to the letter with a message on X on World Mental Health Day, commending Freddie and St. Michael’s School on their work to tackle mental health challenges faced by pupils.
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: Sandwell, United Kingdom
When: 25 Apr 2024
Credit: Cover Images
The Prince of Wales speaks with students of the Matrix Project, during a visit to St Michael’s Church of England High School in Sandwell, West Midlands, to learn about the award-winning student-led initiatives available to pupils to support their mental health and wellbeing
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: Sandwell, United Kingdom
When: 25 Apr 2024
Credit: Oli Scarff/PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Prince of Wales walks with Founder of James’ Place, Clare Milford Haven during a visit to officially open James’ Place Newcastle, the charity’s new centre which will provide a crucial lifeline to men experiencing suicidal crisis in the region.
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: Newcastle, United Kingdom
When: 30 Apr 2024
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Prince of Wales during a visit to officially open James’ Place Newcastle, the charity’s new centre which will provide a crucial lifeline to men experiencing suicidal crisis in the region
Featuring: William, Prince of Wales
Where: Newcastle, United Kingdom
When: 30 Apr 2024
Credit: Ian Forsyth/PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
