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Resurfaced Photo of a Young Prince William in a Kilt Has Fans Saying the Same Thing

The resurfaced images suggest William’s resistance to Highland attire may not be as absolute as he once claimed.

Prince William’s upcoming trip to Scotland has reignited a playful debate among royal watchers, with renewed speculation about whether the Duke might finally break his long-held reluctance to wear a kilt. As anticipation builds around his engagements north of the border, attention has turned less to schedules and more to symbolism, with netizens digging up old images that show William’s resistance to Highland attire may not be as absolute as he once claimed.

As the heir to the throne prepares for the visit in his role as the Duke of Rothesay, fans on X began circulating childhood photos of a young William wearing a kilt. One user shared a picture of William sporting a smug smile in full Highland attire and penned, “I’ve always wondered if William would wear a kilt. Being embarrassed is his ‘thing.’” Another reposted the same and added, “Probably the only time Prince William will be seen in a kilt,” prompting humorous replies. One joked, “Thus ensuring it will be another 40 years before he wears one!”

The nostalgia didn’t stop there. Another image making the rounds on the internet shows William alongside Prince Harry and then-Prince Charles, all dressed in kilts. The image has gained fresh relevance following the King’s own embrace of the Scottish tradition. In 2021, Charles was photographed wearing a kilt during his official visit to Scotland, signalling a willingness to lean into the national dress that his elder son has steered away from so far.

The moment was also documented by Clarence House, which shared the pictures on Instagram with a statement that read: “The Duke of Rothesay visited Thurso, Scotland, today to meet members of the local community. On Scrabster Beach, HRH met members of the Caithness Beach Clean Group, which was set up by Dorcas and Allan Sinclair in March 2019 after they noticed the alarming amount of plastic rubbish being washed up on the beach.” These images were widely praised and have since been used as a benchmark for whether William might one day follow suit.

Offering a more lighthearted perspective, Scottish comedian Craig Hill addressed William’s apparent hesitation. As per The Independent, he wrote, “Maybe the Prince is worried about looking too old-fashioned or too formal, and wants to appear modern. I understand his reluctance.” He further quipped, “Once heard a wicked rumor that maybe William thinks he doesn’t have the legs for a kilt, but I disagree. He’s an athletic guy! I’ve seen pictures of him in trunks playing water polo, and can say with some authority that the man has the lallies for Highland wear.” He also made note of some practical concerns and said, “If he’s squeamish about his legs being cold in the Highlands in winter, I can assure him that’s not an issue. Kilts have more fabric than trousers, and if you pair one with chunky woollen socks, you can cope with anything this country throws at you.”