Since becoming monarch in 2022, King Charles has been making subtle but telling changes to royal life. From shrinking the size of his coronation guest list to turning down the thermostat in Buckingham Palace’s swimming pool, the 76-year-old king has shown a clear interest in making tradition a little less… traditional.
His latest quiet adjustment? A dress code rule that dates back more than a century – and it involves tennis.
According to The Times, King Charles has relaxed the longstanding requirement that players on Buckingham Palace’s private tennis court must wear all white. While tennis whites are still “preferred,” they’re no longer mandatory for royals, staff, or guests stepping onto the historic court behind palace walls.
A Royal Court with Real History
The Buckingham Palace tennis court has been part of royal recreation since 1919, when it was built during King George V’s reign. It’s seen more than just casual matches – in the 1930s, King George VI famously played against three-time Wimbledon champion Fred Perry. And in 2000, it hosted a high-profile charity match where John McEnroe, Björn Borg, and Anna Kournikova competed, with none other than Claudia Schiffer watching from the sidelines.
While King Charles himself isn’t known for his tennis game, his decision to loosen the rules reflects a growing shift in how the monarchy approaches protocol. As The Telegraph noted when Charles lowered the pool temperature last year to save energy, even palace traditions aren’t immune to practical thinking.
This change also comes as Wimbledon, often cited as the strictest example of tennis fashion rules, has begun to evolve. In 2022, the tournament updated its regulations to allow women to wear darker undershorts – a nod to comfort that sparked widespread praise. (BBC Sport)
Princess Kate, a passionate tennis fan and patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, likely appreciates the shift. She’s believed to have played on the Buckingham Palace courts and has a court of her own at Anmer Hall with Prince William.
While the all-white rule may still dominate center court at Wimbledon, it seems Charles prefers a more relaxed approach – at least at home.
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