Prince Philip's wardrobe of Savile Row suits and sporting panache defined British fashion

Publish date: 2024-05-05

Prince Philip's confident and classic sense of style 'set the standard' for British men, an expert has revealed.  

While the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday at the age of 99, will be remembered mainly for his dedication to public service, the royal's timeless style offered a glimpse at his more personal side. 

From an immaculately tailored suit for a state occasion, to reclining over a BBQ on the lawn of Balmoral with his young children, the father-of-four held a lifelong sense of appropriateness in how he presented himself through his wardrobe. 

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL the Duke's sense of style was of 'confidence and comfort', explaining: 'In all of his fashion choices he had impeccable taste and knew what suited him well.'

Prince Philip's confident and classic sense of style 'set the standard' for British men, an expert has revealed (pictured, in 1950 playing polo)

Prince Philip's confident and classic sense of style 'set the standard' for British men, an expert has revealed (pictured, in 1950 playing polo) 

From an immaculately tailored suit for a state occasion, to reclining over a BBQ on the lawn of Balmoral with his young children, the father-of-four held a lifelong sense of appropriateness in how he presented himself through his wardrobe From an immaculately tailored suit for a state occasion, to reclining over a BBQ on the lawn of Balmoral with his young children, the father-of-four held a lifelong sense of appropriateness in how he presented himself through his wardrobe

From an immaculately tailored suit for a state occasion, to reclining over a BBQ on the lawn of Balmoral with his young children, the father-of-four held a lifelong sense of appropriateness in how he presented himself through his wardrobe

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL the Duke's sense of style was of 'confidence and comfort'

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL the Duke's sense of style was of 'confidence and comfort'

She revealed: 'I don't feel he ever really followed fashion, but instead chose items that he knew best suited him. 

'Whether attending to royal duties or being casual he was always dressed appropriately.

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'I think without knowing, he set some standards when it came to fashion.'

While the Queen is renowned for her colourful dress-coat combinations, Prince Philip had a more understated sense of style. 

While the Queen is renowned for her colourful dress-coat combinations, Prince Philip had a more understated sense of style (pictured in 1952)

While the Queen is renowned for her colourful dress-coat combinations, Prince Philip had a more understated sense of style (pictured in 1952) 

Meanwhile off-duty, the royal would often relax in a cool polo shirt and button-down linen shirts which made him 'eye-catching'

Meanwhile off-duty, the royal would often relax in a cool polo shirt and button-down linen shirts which made him 'eye-catching'

Throughout his many years in the royal family, the Duke regularly wore suits from Savile Row tailors and stuck steadfastly traditional tailoring institutions including  Gieves & Hawkes, Kent, Haste & Lachter and Turnbull & Asser.

According to Rochelle, the Duke's suits were 'impeccably' tailored, with the royal selecting  classic, handsome suiting; most often single-breasted jackets in navy. 

Meanwhile off-duty, the royal would often relax in a cool polo shirt and button-down linen shirts which made him 'eye-catching'.

Rochelle explained: 'From rocking polo shirts (die to his love of the sport), fleeces and trouser to well tailored Savile row suits he had impeccable, classic gentleman style.

According to Rochelle, the Duke's suits were 'impeccably' tailored, with the royal selecting classic, handsome suiting; most often single-breasted jackets in navy According to Rochelle, the Duke's suits were 'impeccably' tailored, with the royal selecting classic, handsome suiting; most often single-breasted jackets in navy

According to Rochelle, the Duke's suits were 'impeccably' tailored, with the royal selecting classic, handsome suiting; most often single-breasted jackets in navy (pictured left, in 1966 and right in 1967) 

'His timeless style when he was by the Queen's side or discreetly behind her he always looked formal, regal and eye-catching. 

'He kept it simple, but sometimes would add a pop of colour with accessories such as ties, waistcoats and hats. 

'In all of his fashion choices he had impeccable taste and knew what suited him well.'

Meanwhile  Becky French, creative director of one of his preferred tailors Turnbull & Asser, told The Telegraph: 'Prince Phillip was quite simply one of the best dressed men in the world,

Meanwhile Becky French, creative director of one of his preferred tailors Turnbull & Asser, called the royal 'one of the best dressed men in the world'

Meanwhile Becky French, creative director of one of his preferred tailors Turnbull & Asser, called the royal 'one of the best dressed men in the world' 

'Up until the age of 99, he always looked impeccable, with his naval blazer, shirt and tie.

'Never a slave to fashion, he knew how he wanted to dress and perfected that style over almost a century.'  

The Duke's style has often nodded to his navy career, flying the flag for the military through his style.

He often wears the Household Division tie, a nod to an early position in the Welsh Guards, and donned the piece for his 99th birthday portrait last year.

Meanwhile his blazer was a Grenadier Guards boating jacket that had been given to him by the widow of a close friend who’d served alongside him.

The Queen announced her husband Prince Philip's death on Friday, with a statement reading: 'It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Rochelle said the Duke 'knew what suited him best' and 'wasn't a slave to fashion trends (in black tie while meeting John F Kennedy in 1961)

Rochelle said the Duke 'knew what suited him best' and 'wasn't a slave to fashion trends (in black tie while meeting John F Kennedy in 1961) 

'His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss'.

Philip's funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, next Saturday will be like no other, with the Queen and her family wearing face masks and socially distancing as they gather to say their final farewell amid coronavirus restrictions.

Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday that Prince Philip's ceremonial royal funeral will take place on April 17 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, and a national minute's silence will be observed as it begins at 3pm. The funeral service will be broadcast worldwide.

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