There's More To Prince Louis' Trooping The Colour Outfit Than Meets The Eye
Correction: An earlier version of this article noted that King Edward VII and Albert Edward wore sailor suits as children, when both Albert Edward and King Edward III are the correct subjects. This information has been corrected.
The Cambridge kids are front and center at Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee — and they're stealing the show! Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis made their processional debut riding in a carriage with their mom Kate Middleton and step-grandmother Camilla Parker Bowles, per Harper's Bazaar. The parade was part of Trooping the Colour, sometimes called The Queen's Birthday Parade, which happens every year and features "1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians," per the royal website.
At the event, Kate blew everyone away in a stunning white ensemble. Her Alexander McQueen coat-dress was paired with a white and navy hat by Philip Treacy, according to Express. The Duchess of Cambridge included a subtle nod to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing diamond and sapphire earrings that once belonged to her. This isn't the first time Kate has paid tribute to Diana through fashion. In her 40th birthday photos, the Duchess of Cambridge chose diamond and pearl drop earrings that were previously Diana's, according to Hindustan Times. And of course, her stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring was originally worn by the Princess of Wales.
In fact, it's not uncommon for members of the royal family to wear heirloom pieces to special events. For instance, Prince Louis donned an outfit that once belonged to his father for this year's Trooping the Colour.
Prince William wore the sailor suit to the same event in 1985
Blue was the color of the day at the Trooping the Colour during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. Not only was she decked out in a powder blue ensemble, but Kate Middleton and all three of her and Prince William's children also wore various shades of the color. Prince George wore a navy suit and tie; Princess Charlotte had on a cyan dress. But it was Prince Louis who brought back fond memories in a white-and-blue sailor suit that his father wore to the same event in 1985 when he was just 3 years old, according to the Independent.
The prince adorably waved to the crowds during the procession, and cameras even caught a sweet moment between Charlotte and Louis while they were riding in the carriage. A video posted on Twitter showed the princess gently pushing Louis' hand down onto his lap when he got a bit overzealous with his waving.
After the parade, all three children joined Queen Elizabeth on the royal balcony to watch Royal Air Force planes fly overhead, per the New York Post. Royal watchers believe they will also accompany their mother to the Superbloom flower show (via the Telegraph), which will feature a massive slide and colorful floral displays, per People.
We can't wait to see what they wear! In the meantime, you might be surprised to learn that the royal family has a history of putting their children in sailor-inspired attire.
The royal family has dressed its children in sailor suits since the days of Queen Victoria
Prince Louis' sailor suit instantly drew comparisons to Prince William, while outlets like Newsweek noted that he seemed to be channeling his uncle Prince Harry in photos from the event. Interestingly enough, William was hardly the first member of the royal family to put on a sailor suit as a child. Tatler noted that the tradition actually traces back to the mid 1800s when Queen Victoria had a suit made for her first son Prince Edward, who was then known as Albert Edward, Prince of Wales.
Victoria wrote about her son's fashionable look and how people responded to it. "When he appeared, the officers and sailors who were all assembled on deck to see him, cheered, and seemed delighted," she recollected, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. By that point, the queen had already influenced bridal fashion by opting to wed in a white, according to Vanity Fair. It should come as no surprise that the stylish queen started another trend; this time she brought nautical-inspired fashion to the mainstream.
Since her young son, who she lovingly called Bertie in her diary, debuted his sailor suit, the look has been repeated within the royal family. Tatler noted that both King George VI and King Edward VIII were seen wearing sailor suits as children. The trend carried on to Prince William, and now Prince Louis has brought it to a new generation.
Both Princes Louis and George have pulled fashion inspiration from Princes William and Harry
It's worth noting that this is not the first time that Prince Louis has been dressed similarly to other members of the royal family. While he paid tribute to his dad this year, Harper's Bazaar noted that the young royal appeared to be wearing a look first introduced by Prince Harry when he appeared at the Trooping the Colour in 2019. Harry was photographed in the same outfit at the same event way back in 1986.
Prince George has also been spotted out and about wearing clothing that appears to have been handed down from his father. He wore an outfit that once belonged to Prince William to the Trooping the Colour in 2015. George wore a red and white outfit similar to one seen on William as a toddler and has been dressed in a way that often harkens back to his dad, according to Hello! Magazine.
More recently, George and William were photographed side-by-side in coordinating suits at a soccer game. The duo even made sure that their navy, white, and red striped ties were similar for the event, according to Page Six. Talk about a family who appreciates a good matching and historic look!