Prince William chose to wear a profoundly significant uniform in his most significant act as Prince of Wales.
At the Coronation of his father, King Charles III, the Prince of Wales was the only one with a role: he kneeled in front of the King and swore to be his “liege man of life and limb” before kissing his cheek and touching the St Edward’s Crown that was on the King’s head.
Before that, he was tasked with placing the Stole Royal on the King’s shoulders, following the anointing, which marked the removal of the robes with which he had arrived at the Abbey, and the building of a new set of paraments, each of which symbolises a part of his new powers as King.
For this historic ceremony, the Prince of Wales opted to wear his ceremonial uniform of Colonel of the Welsh Guards, to which he added many other symbols.
First and foremost, his RAF pilot wings, which he earned following his flight training. A military achievement of which the Prince is incredibly proud since it allowed him to serve his people as a search and rescue pilot for many years.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe also bore the badge, sash and Star of the Order of the Thistle, as well as the Star, mantle and collar of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He also displayed the medals of Queen Elizabeth II’s Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees (2002, 2012, and 2022 respectively).
All of this was worn atop the ceremonial uniform of a Colonel of the Welsh Guards, which includes blue/black wool trousers with two-inch scarlet strips along the side and a single-breasted top with a stand-up collar.
The tunic is hand-embroidered in gold thread on the collar, cuffs and back skirts, with the motif on the collar being the Emblem of the Welsh Guards. The Gilt buttons that close the tunic depict the insignia of the Welsh Guards.
All in all, a significant and poignant choice of uniform and orders for the Prince of Wales as he proudly watched his father getting crowned in the first Coronation ceremony in 70 years.
