Prince William chose to wear white tie rather than the historic Windsor uniform at this week's state banquet honouring French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a significant departure from royal tradition.
Whilst King Charles, Prince Edward and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence all donned the traditional navy tailcoat with red facings, the heir to the throne opted for a different outfit.
A courtier confirmed this was intentional, telling the Mail: "His Royal Highness dressed appropriately, but does not need to match his father on all occasions."
They added: "It's no secret that William does not feel hidebound by tradition. He respects tradition, but does not believe that we always have to follow it."
The decision is particularly notable given William previously wore the uniform for his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince William chose to wear white tie rather than the historic Windsor uniform at this week's state banquet honouring French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a significant departure from royal tradition.
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The Windsor uniform carries centuries of royal history, having been introduced by King George III in 1777 as a symbol of loyalty and court unity.
The original design featured elaborate gold braiding and a bicorne hat adorned with ostrich feathers, which the monarch insisted all courtiers and ministers wear.
Today's version is considerably more understated, consisting of a simple navy tailcoat with distinctive red facings.
This historic regalia continues to be worn by senior members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle events, serving as a visual link to the monarchy's past.
The decision is particularly notable given William previously wore the uniform for his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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The uniform's enduring presence at state occasions underscores its significance as a traditional marker of royal protocol and continuity.
William's rejection of traditional royal attire extends beyond the Windsor uniform to other antiquated dress codes.
At last November's Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace, the King wore white tie with traditional knee breeches and buckled shoes, whilst William opted for modern trousers and shoes.
The Palace's decision to release photographs showing William primarily from the waist up suggested sensitivity around this sartorial divergence.
The Windsor uniform carries centuries of royal history, having been introduced by King George III in 1777 as a symbol of loyalty and court unity.
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Despite holding Scottish titles including Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Carrick, William has not worn a kilt since childhood, breaking with the Royal Family's tradition of donning Highland dress when in Scotland.
Royal sources confirmed to the Mail that William's clothing choices reflect his broader modernising approach: "William is determined to be a different type of monarch."
This modernising stance extends well beyond wardrobe choices, according to Palace insiders.
William's refusal to hold an investiture ceremony when he became Prince of Wales in 2022 marked a stark contrast to his father's elaborate 1969 ceremony at Caernarfon Castle, which drew a global television audience of 500 million.
The courtier emphasised that these decisions form part of a coherent vision for the future monarchy.