Catherine and family at church in Balmoral (Sunday 25/08/2024)

[ThatAvidViewer]

Catherine and family seen at church in Balmoral (Sunday 25/08/2024)

Kate Middleton is seen at Crathie Kirk for the first time since revealing her cancer diagnosis as she joins Prince William and other Royal Family members for Sunday service | Daily Mail Online

I grew up in the same area as Catherine, what she wears to church wasn't unusual then and isn't now.

Lots of people wear something a bit smarter than usual to church, lots of people wear their everyday clothes. It is simply impossible to extrapolate one individual experience to make the sweeping statements I've seen on this thread.

Absolutely! My favourite way he wears it is at New year with a chunky jumper and boots! Makes me go weak at the knees!

But lots of things that are 'ordinary' - going to work for example - have people wearing smarter clothes than the ones they mooch about in on a lazy weekend day in the garden.

Some people change into leggings and PJs as soon as they get home and practically live in them. Doesn't mean they go shopping, to work, to the pub, to the school run etc in PJs.

And yes, I am aware some people do - but it's quite normal to change your clothes to suit different occasions.

Remember this is all in response to the posters who have said why don't the royals wear their normal clothes to church - and I'm pointing out that for many of us smart clothes are our normal clothes when out and about interacting with other people.

The hats are just tradition for them. But the rest of what they are wearing looks very normal to me. In other words - it's not a performance for them just as it wouldn't be a performance for me.

People are comparing the Church of England with the Church of Scotland. They are very different places. I tried to say this discreetly earlier but I don't think the message got through.

In general Scottish women tend to be neater, tidier, more fashionable etc than English women and especially when it comes to certain occasions - Church being one of them. It's tradition, it's a mark of respect , it comes from a community sense of pride. The Royals are of course dressed for church and many people come out to see them. They wouldn't just turn up in their gardening trousers 🙄

As a child I used to love stroking the fur coats of the women at Church ! Now not so much 😂 plus fur is a thing of the past.

Personally this is the look of a kilt that I like 😂

Probably won't see that in church. Sadly. 😁

"....because to me they would therefore look more relaxed and like they were actually enjoying going."

Did they look as if they weren't enjoying going?

...........................................................

Do you know the saying 'Red hat and no knickers'? Well, once upon a time, in the olden days, before the local church had coffee after the service, and everyone went home and cooked the Sunday dinner while the men went to the pub, the vicar would stand near the door and shake hands with everyone as they went out. A young vicar shook hands with A Matron Of The Parish, who happened to be wearing a red hat. I cannot tell you who said what to whom, but there was a spot of giggling going on.

Attendance would be through the roof!

A good-looking parson who has a nice way with him can do wonders for the collection plate.

I guarantee that if royal women stopped wearing hats/fairly smart things to church there would be loads of speculation as to why. Can just imagine, rebellion by Kate, Prince Charles overmodernising, they are disrespecting the late Queen, she'd never have allowed this, LEGGINGS IN CHURCH!!!!, we like them looking different, etc etc etc ad nauseum, 70 million hat related opinion polls. Possibly it's easier to plonk on headgear and have done with it, TBH. I can't imagine it exercises many people beyond those hypercritical of the RF.

Also, as I said upthread, it makes them identifiable, both to those who've turned out to see them and the Press.

ETA you lucky lot with the DHs entitled to wear the kilt! 😄

@Uricon2 you are probably right. This Board would discuss it ad infinitum. Most people though would not care.

Someone's cranky...

If eg Kate rocked up to church in leggings and a t shirt the media would have have a field day. Easier to keep the status quo, although I imagine some aspects of royal life are and will continue changing.

Can you imagine?! Even jeans and a jacket.

My 19 year old son - who’s good looking like this - came to Church with me once to say thanks for his Higher results. (I was surprised).
He wasn’t dressed in a kilt, but the old ladies definitely took notice 🤣

I'm a regular Anglican church goer. I'm on the readings rota, coffee-and-biscuits rota and cleaning rota and when DH and I had a significant anniversary, it was put in the parish magazine.
Just giving my credentials 😊
I do dress differently from my usual jeans and jersey wear around the house. I like to look fairly smart, as I would if I were paying a visit to anyone I respected. Usually doesn't involve a hat but it has been known on a very cold day.
What other people wear varies and I don't pay particular attention.
However, I do know some people who like to make a point of not "dressing up" as they might put it. It can be as much showing off as putting on something special and is making a point of being so used to church-going that they can go in any old thing.

I really do not care what people wear to church. I know our Minister just wants people to come to church, whatever they are wearing.

Uricon2

If eg Kate rocked up to church in leggings and a t shirt the media would have have a field day. Easier to keep the status quo

Very much agree with this.
Wearing nice clothes, if you have them, is hardly a hardship.
Maybe the RF, like me, even enjoy wearing smart clothes.

The Netherlands Royal Family wearing jeans and looking normal, but reasonably smart.

Are they going to church?

What's your point? They're not in church. We've seen similar pictures of the Wales family.

UK Royal family wearing jeans and looking normal but reasonably smart

That's a family holiday snap. I think you'll find that Max and Wax are very formal!
Max likes to dress up and wear flamboyant hats and jewellery. She has an amazing wardrobe and jewel collection.

My point is there are other options to look smart.