Monarch eases longstanding dress rule as he continues to modernize royal traditions
King Charles has quietly updated a long-standing royal tradition, signaling another step in his ongoing mission to modernize the monarchy. The change comes just as Catherine, Princess of Wales, made her high-profile appearance at Wimbledon, drawing praise and admiration from royal fans around the world.
According to The Sunday Times, the monarch has amended a 106-year-old dress code that previously required players at the Buckingham Palace outdoor tennis court to wear “almost entirely white.” The rule, once strictly enforced for royals, staff, and their guests, has now been softened—white attire is now considered “preferred” but no longer “essential.”
The change is notable given the royal family's close connection to tennis, particularly through Catherine, who serves as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC). Earlier this month, the Princess of Wales received a standing ovation during her emotional return to the Wimbledon finals, where she presented trophies to champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek.
While it remains unclear whether the rule change was made before or after Catherine's Wimbledon appearance, royal watchers believe it was likely already in motion. Commenting on the shift, former British public affairs official Shannon Felton Spence described King Charles as a forward-thinking monarch.
“He has been his entire life, always looking forward and trying to build for the future,” she told Fox News Digital. “He has made it his mission to reshape a monarchy fit for the purpose today and tomorrow, while maintaining the cultural relevancy that grounds the institution.”
As King Charles continues to adapt royal traditions for a modern era, even subtle changes like this are seen as part of a broader effort to keep the monarchy relevant—while allowing key figures like Princess Kate to shine on the global stage.
