[imagesource: Neil Hall / EPA]

The media will spend countless hours analysing the clothing choices of female Royals.

Heaven forbid that someone wears the same dress twice.

The Daily Mail will manage to squeeze at least two articles out about it, with the dress described in excruciating detail.

The tables have turned, however, and somehow, the Royal equivalent of a wet blanket has managed to elevate himself to style icon status.

To be fair to Prince Charles, I’m actually behind everything that he said in an interview with British Vogue about why he chooses to dress the way that he does.

Over to Town & Country for some context, before we watch the video.

The Prince of Wales chatted with editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, about traditional skills in the British textile industry and creating more sustainable fashion.

The Prince’s interview happened as students on a project he has co-founded, the Modern Artisan, are about to launch a fashion collection with environmental sustainability at its core.

When praised by Enninful on the way he dresses and asked where his style comes from, Charles replied: “I thought I was like a stopped clock – I’m right twice every 24 hours. But…I’m very glad you think it has style. I mind about detail and colour combinations. I’m lucky because I can find marvellous people who are brilliant makers of the things that I appreciate, and because of that, I try to keep them going for longer.”

Apparently, he likes to mend his clothes rather than buy new ones.

“I happen to be one of those people who’d get shoes – or any item of clothing – repaired if I can, rather than just throw it away,” he said.

“And that’s why I think, from an economic point of view, there are huge opportunities for people to set up small businesses involved with repair, maintenance and reuse.”

If you need proof, here are two overcoats that he has worn repeatedly since the 1980s:

Image: Getty

He’s also more of an environmentalist than we might have thought, and has very high standards for the companies that he awards a Royal Warrant (it’s a mark of recognition for those who supply goods or services to the Royal Family).

“Thirty years or so ago, I decided to look at those companies that apply for my warrant, where they put ‘By Appointment To’ up outside their shop with a coat of arms. And I said, ‘You’re not going to get my warrant anymore unless you conform to the following – in those days, pretty basic – environmental requirements,’” the Prince said.

“And there were howls of protest and anguish and gnashing of teeth and they all said, ‘It’ll ruin our businesses.’ I said, ‘Sorry, we have to do it.’ So of course, they went away, looked at their supply chains, looked at the way they did things. Lo and behold, they came back and said, ‘Well, actually, it’s saved us money to do it in a better way.’”

I’ve never really been a fan of Charles, but I’m coming around.

Watch the interview in full here:

Charles says that his commitment to keeping and mending his clothes rather than buying new ones came about because of childhood summers spent at Balmoral.

“When I was a child we used to take our shoes down to the cobbler and watch with fascination as he ripped the soles off and then put new soles on,” Charles said.

Yes, the magical world of the commoner.

[source:town&country]