Why William and Harry have ditched the daytime tie: Princes are adopting a 'smart casual' style to seem more relatable (but the Queen doesn't approve of an open collar on formal occasions)
- William, 36, and Harry, 34, have recently ditched ties for daytime engagements
- The princes have instead opted for a more smart-casual look with an open collar
- Etiquette expert William Hanson revealed that the royals may be opting for the more relaxed look in order to be more approachable to the public
- But said their grandmother the Queen would 'not mind' on certain occasions
Princes William and Harry have both recently taken to leaving their ties at home when they step out for daytime engagements.
Princes William and Harry have both recently taken to leaving their ties at home when they step out for daytime engagements. Pictured, William without a tie in London on Thursday
On Wednesday the royal father-of-three wore a blue shirt with the top button undone as he visited homeless charity The Passage, hours after being announced as patron
Prince Harry chose to wear chinos, shirt, jumper and coat but no tie when he joined the Duchess of Sussex for a busy day of engagements in Bristol earlier this month, pictured
The Duke of Sussex also went without a tie for their joint visit to Birkenhead last month, above
William Hanson told the MailOnline: 'The monarchy has a fine line to thread. On one hand the public want them to be regal, but on the other they want to be able to connect with them and feel they are just glossier versions of ourselves.
'Due to their younger ages, Princes William and Harry attend less formal or more active, sporty events and in these instances you can see why they chose to 'dress down' and attend in what would usually be called 'smart casual' clothes.
'To arrive in a suit and tie may not ingratiate them to those attending and those observing at home. It's always important at any event, royal or not, for all guests to look like they are part of the same event.'
William has been seen more often without a tie during the day than his younger brother, although both have by no means given them up completely.
They also both continue to wear ties to evening engagements, as well as to church services. Military uniform is worn at other formal daytime events including investitures.
Hanson added: 'Naturally, for formal occasions - including those where their grandmother The Queen is attending - the younger male royals do not sport an open neck and wear a tie.'
He added: 'I suspect The Queen does not mind that her grandsons relax their dress, so long as it fits with the occasion.'
Yesterday Prince William wore a grey suit with a white shirt but no tie as he attended a charity event in Paddington, north London.
Prince William wore a similar look when the Duke of Cambridge attended an event marking 30 years of the London Air Ambulance Service last month, pictured
Prince William wore an open collar to the Kensington Palace Christmas party in December, left. He also chose to go without for a visit to the Evelina Children's hospital in London that month
The day before the royal father-of-three wore a blue shirt with the top button undone as he visited homeless charity The Passage, hours after being announced as patron.
It was a similar look when the Duke of Cambridge attended an event marking 30 years of the London Air Ambulance Service last month.
A notable recent exception to this new wardrobe trend was when the duke joined the Duchess of Cambridge to officially opened the V&A in Dundee last month. He wore a suit, white shirt and patterned tie for the outing.
Father-to-be Prince Harry was seen without a tie on a number of occasions during the royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji last year. Pictured, the royal couple in Sydney, left, and Melbourne, right, during the visit in October last year
While the Duke of Sussex remains slightly more formal, he has also gone without a tie on his two most high-profile engagements of the year.
Prince Harry plumped for the smart-casual look when he joined the pregnant Duchess of Sussex in Bristol two weeks ago, and in Birkenhead last month.
And the father-to-be was seen without a tie on a number of occasions during the royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji last year.
A notable recent exception to this new wardrobe trend was when the duke joined the Duchess of Cambridge to officially opened the V&A in Dundee last month. He wore a suit, white shirt and patterned tie for the outing, pictured
The brothers both continue to wear ties to evening engagements, such as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's outing to the Natural History Museum on Wednesday night, pictured
