Prince Edward was a head above the rest in the style stakes on his first night in Malta with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. While column inches are typically dedicated to the sartorial choices of the Princess of Wales or the Duchess of Sussex – be it think pieces on Breton tops or the immense power of an earring – the Duke of Edinburgh has become something of a royal fashion icon over the years thanks to his unique choice of ties. This official state visit, the first since the Duke of Kent visited Valletta in 2018, proved that, when it comes to dressing up, Prince Edward is never a let down.
The couple are on an official royal visit to the island, following in the footsteps of the late Queen, who spent two blissful years living in Malta as a princess with her husband, Prince Philip. Amid all the pomp and circumstance of the Edinburghs’ official welcome – a celebratory Commonwealth reception at Whitehall Mansions, home to the British High Commissioner – the Duke once again cut a unique royal figure. Sophie donned red florals for the event, where the pair met Maltese dignitaries and winners of the Point of Light awards, while Edward went for a dapper suit and, naturally, an Hermès tie covered in giraffes.
We shouldn’t be surprised. The Prince has drummed up quite the following for his novelty ties over the years, forgoing the stuffy traditions of plaid, foulard, or pin dots in favour of a veritable menagerie of animal patterns. Take, for example, his recent trip to the Pretoria National Botanical Garden in South Africa. Stashed in the royal suitcase? A dark navy suit, a white pocket square, and a silken tie adored with monkeys and crocodiles (Hermès, bien sûr: trust a royal to rock novelty chic). The royal also has a matador-printed tie, which he has worn on a number of occasions. Attending Ascot every year, Prince Edward regularly wears a yellow tie covered in a jockey print.
