Prince George and the Duke of Cambridge’s ‘mini-me’ dressing is not just about fashion

Light blue shirt, undone at the collar, neat blue chinos, a blue blazer – occasionally with laid-back patch pockets – and brown suede shoes. It’s a style formula that the Duke of Cambridge has long relied on for informal appearances and, in the most recent outing at Cardiff Castle for a special concert to mark the Platinum Jubilee, it appears that someone’s been taking notes. Prince George, aged eight, stepping out alongside his dad, is a veritable mini-me. The two heirs mirrored each other in their ensembles – with the same dark blue blazers and trousers, same light blue shirt (George’s with a discreet check for a more playful touch) and same shoes.

Savile Row houses are unerringly discreet about dressing the Royals, and would never do anything as gauche as sing it from the rafters, but it’s likely William is in one of his go-to brands, Gieves & Hawkes. The belts are likely to be from the same brand; Prince William is wearing a £165 version by Anderson & Sheppard, which appears to have been made in miniature form for his son. The house is a long time outfitter of Prince Charles, so it’s heartening to see a sartorial tradition pass from father to son to grandson.

It’s not the first time that Royal father and son have worn matching outfits. Back at the Euros in 2020, when England played against Germany, they wore matching dark navy suits with red, white and blue striped club ties, as well as the same sweaters.

Father and son ensembles have become big business in the upper echelons of fashion; Italian powerhouse Dolce & Gabbana creates matching mini-me outfits for parents and children, so those piccoli bambini can don the same exuberant Italian attire as their High Net Worth parents. At French swimwear brand Vilebrequin, well-dressed dads can also buy matching patterned swimwear for their sons. But the decision to dress harmoniously for Prince William and Prince George is far less likely to be about fashion and more about making the young princeling feel comfortable and secure by mirroring his dad. And looking thoroughly dashing while doing so.