Royals like the British royal family have many protocols and etiquette rules they must follow, including around wearing and removing coats. There are several reasons why royals often keep their coats on even indoors. Some key factors include tradition, formality, practicality, and royal obligations.
Royal Tradition
Not removing coats is a long-standing tradition among British royals and aristocracy. Back when palaces and castles were drafty and cold, keeping outdoor garments on was necessary for warmth and protection. Though heating has improved, the custom remains partly out of habit. Leaving coats on is also seen as more formal and elegant.
For men, not removing their coats indoors is a sign of good manners and decorum. Taking off a coat could indicate relaxation and intimacy, which would be inappropriate in more formal settings. For royal women, keeping coats on maintains a polished, dignified look. It also prevents distracting situations like getting clothing caught on chairs.
Formality
Royals keep coats on for formality when meeting dignitaries, giving speeches, and attending important events. Removing a coat could come across as too casual. The formality applies more for outer coats and jackets than suit jackets, which men will sometimes remove at indoor engagements. But for significant occasions, the expectation remains to keep the entire outfit intact.
This tradition stems from the idea that royals are always “on display.” They represent the monarchy and their country, so must maintain a professional demeanor. Keeping coats on projects an elegant, refined image befitting royalty meeting others. It shows respect for the occasion.
Practical Reasons
In addition to tradition and formality, there are practical reasons royals often leave coats on indoors:
- Royals, especially the Queen and female royals, often wear coordinated outfits with matching coats. Removing just the coat ruins the put-together look.
- Royals change locations frequently at events. Keeping the coat on avoids having to remove and put it on repeatedly.
- Outdoor wear helps maintain appropriate body temperature in overheated or cooled indoor venues.
- Coats provide an extra layer for unpredictable outdoor activities like viewing military flypasts.
For these reasons, royals generally just keep their coats on for convenience and comfort.
Royal Obligations
Royals have busy schedules filled with public engagements. On a typical day, they may make multiple appearances across various locations. Their outfits are specially chosen for each aspect of the day. Once dressed, it is inconvenient and impractical to remove or change clothing between functions.
Doing so could also make them late. As public figures, royals must maintain meticulous schedules. They cannot be delayed changing attire and risk missing or postponing events. Keeping coats and outerwear on saves time.
Additionally, royals often wear symbolic items like sashes or medals on their outfits. Removing coats would also entail removing these symbols, which they are expected to display throughout all engagements.
Gender Differences
The protocol around coats generally applies more strictly to royal women than men. Male royals like Prince William or Prince Charles occasionally remove suit jackets for receptions, meet-and-greets, etc. But female royals almost always remain fully outfitted.
There are several reasons for this difference:
- Women’s outfits involve more components like dresses, blouses, skirts, etc. Taking pieces off can appear untidy.
- For royal visits, female royals usually wear iconic dress coats buttoned up. Removing these would ruin the look.
- Taking off layers could reveal cleavage or other skin, which is avoided.
- Unbuttoning jackets is considered less formal for men than removing cardigans, boleros, etc. for women.
So while royal men have slightly more flexibility, female royals almost always remain fully dressed in public.
Notable Exceptions
Though rare, there are occasions when royal women remove coats. This usually only occurs:
- At private, casual events like polo matches or equestrian events.
- When wearing sleeveless dresses requiring removal of a coat or jacket.
- In extreme heat outdoors. But coats may be put back on before going inside.
- If hairstyles or hats are at risk of being disturbed.
During official duties, however, female royals will almost never remove outer layers. Doing so deviates from tradition and protocol expected of royal women representing the Crown.
The Queen Sets the Standard
As Head of the British Monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II sets the benchmark for royal fashion rules. She almost never removes her coat in public. For over 70 years as Queen, she has maintained this tradition and formality when carrying out duties.
The Queen wears stylish, brightly-colored coat dresses buttoned up to the neck for a polished, professional look. Taking the coat off would detract from the complete outfit. Other female royals like Kate Middleton follow the Queen’s rulebook and keep coats on for most indoor engagements.
Her Majesty has served as an exemplar of decorum for decades. She shows the importance royals place on upholding traditions, no matter how outdated or illogical they seem.
Younger Royals Are Modernizing
The younger generation of royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton are gradually modernizing royal fashion traditions. While they follow expected protocol for formal occasions, there are signs of relaxing certain rules.
For instance, Kate does occasionally remove coats outdoors at casual events. Both she and William will sometimes take off suit jackets at receptions. The next generation appears to be showing there are moments where comfort takes precedence over formality.
However, any modernization still occurs very subtly and cautiously. The overall tradition remains firmly in place, especially for female royals. But we may begin seeing less strict adherence by younger royals over time.
Historical Significance
Royals’ reluctance to remove coats has roots in British history. In medieval times, wearing many layers of clothing showed status and wealth. It signified you could afford expensive fabrics and outfits. Royals added capes, robes, mantles, and other garments on top to display material riches.
Wearing layers was also a show of strength and invincibility. Shedding jackets and coats would indicate vulnerability. So kings and queens kept garments on as a sign of power. Plus, drafty castles necessitated lots of layers for warmth!
While the practical need for so many clothes has passed, the symbolism and status associated with layered outfits remains. For royals, it upholds a sense of history, dignity, and duty intrinsic to monarchy.
Controversies Over Coat Protocol
Royals keeping coats on has sparked some controversies over the years. Most recently, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall faced criticism for not removing her coat at a memorial service in 2022. Some saw it as disrespectful to victims being remembered.
The Queen has also had controversies. At Remembrance Day services where all male royals remove coats, the Queen never does. Some argue this appears insensitive. The Queen also left her coat on while delivering a speech in Tuvalu in 1982 where locals wore just grass skirts.
But defenders note royals have different attire rules. The Queen was likely trying to avoid confusing cultural dress protocol. Either way, controversies show how royal coat etiquette is sometimes at odds with public expectations.
Do Other Royal Families Follow This Tradition?
The protocol of royals keeping coats on primarily applies to the British royal family. Other European royals like those in Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands have more relaxed rules.
For instance, Queen Margrethe of Denmark regularly removes her coat at indoor royal engagements and events. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark also takes off coats and jackets during receptions and walkabouts. This shows greater willingness to modernize protocol.
But most royal families do maintain certain expectations around professional dress. Removing too many layers risks appearing underdressed. So royals overall aim for the right balance of formality.
Conclusion
British royal protocol dictates that members of the royal family keep their coats and jackets on for nearly all public engagements and duties, even indoors. This tradition stems from history, formality, practicality, and royal obligations. Although younger royals are subtly modernizing traditions, removing coats remains extremely rare for royal women in particular. As Head of State, the Queen firmly adheres to expected etiquette, setting the standard for other royals. Overall, the tradition remains ingrained in the monarchy’s culture and identity.