King Charles shatters 100 year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: experts
For the first time, players on the royal family's outdoor tennis court no longer have to follow the strict "almost entirely white" dress code, The Sunday Times reported. According to the outlet, the 76-year-old has relaxed the protocol, making tennis whites now "preferred" but "not essential" for players, including members of the royal family, household staff and their guests.
Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.
Shannon Felton Spence, a former British public affairs official, told Fox News Digital that the king has been determined to modernize the monarchy, making it fresh and relevant for today's public.
"King Charles is a very progressive-thinking man," said Felton Spence. "He has been his entire life, always looking forward and trying to build for the future. He has made it his mission to reshape a monarchy fit for the purpose today and tomorrow, while keeping the cultural relevancy that grounds the institution. These initiatives are good news and should be celebrated."
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that it's one of many changes the busy king has been making. She pointed out that Buckingham Palace announced on July 3 that the Royal Train, whose history dates back to Queen Victoria, would end 156 years of service. The palace shared it's too costly to operate and would require a significant upgrade to accommodate more advanced rail systems.
"The Royal Train is no longer," said Fordwich. "Other changes have included lowering the temperature of the palace swimming pool to reduce energy consumption and other updates to palace amenities."
"King Charles has previously broken many royal customs, including changes to ceremonial duties, the public displays of affection, and, in general, many public engagement styles," she shared. "His direct engagement in political lobbying has not been well received and has been most ill-advised."
The dress code upgrade is significant for the king, who is known for his formal wear. According to the outlet, Charles is rarely seen in jeans or sneakers. However, he wanted his staff and guests, in particular, to "feel less restricted by protocol."
"While the end of the all-white tennis dress code at Buckingham Palace might seem somewhat minor, it's a significant and rather symbolic step by King Charles to modernize the monarchy, making royal life more approachable and less bound by rigid traditions," Fordwich explained.
Fordwich noted that the fashion rule was originally put in place when the court was built in 1919 during King George V's reign. According to the Royal Collection Trust, it's recognized as "London's most exclusive tennis court." The Sunday Times noted that it's located in "a shady area of the palace's 40-acre garden."
"It has always been a hallmark of royal sporting etiquette," Fordwich shared. "Players, including royals, staff and guests, may not wear colored clothing... It's so sad to see yet another tradition abandoned."
It's noted that for Charles's ancestors, sweat was considered unsightly, and colorful clothing showed it off more than white ensembles.
Felton Spence noted that we can expect the king to continue bending the rules.
"Protocol are simply unofficial rules adopted through tradition. They started somewhere," she said.
Royal commentator Amanda Matta also told Fox News Digital that Charles's latest move may have been a quiet one, but its message was loud and clear.
"It might seem like a minor change, but in royal circles, even a small dress code modification says a lot," Matta explained. "By easing up on the all-white rule for tennis at Buckingham Palace, King Charles is continuing his quiet push to modernize the monarchy. This modernization will not be through big pronouncements, but with subtle shifts."
"The all-white rule dates back to Victorian ideas about formality and appearance, and changing it shows that Charles is willing to let go of traditions that feel outdated," she shared. "It's also a practical move. This isn't Wimbledon, after all, and the court is used by family, guests, and even palace staff, so relaxing the rules makes sense. I'm expecting (and excited for) more of these small tweaks throughout Charles' reign!"
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Charles isn't the only one looking to dust off the monarchy's rigid rules. Kate Middleton made her fashion first by wearing Christian Dior on July 8 for the start of the French state visit. According to the outlet, the 43-year-old's style choice was aimed at showing sartorial diplomacy. Her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, was known to be a muse for the French fashion brand.
"There have been many arguments recently allegedly about fashion styles," said Turner. "It is known that as soon as she is seen in a new outfit, it is sold out in minutes. Such is the demand to emulate her."
Royal photographer Chris Jackson, author of "Charles III: A King and His Queen," previously told Fox News Digital that Charles's personal style has always shared important messages about his prized causes.
"He's got this beautiful Aston Martin that runs on biofuel, which is surplus wine and cheese whey, which is pretty incredible," Jackson said. "He's obviously very passionate about the environment, [and] he's got this beautiful car, a DB6 Volante Aston Martin, that's environmentally friendly."
The king, who has been a longtime advocate of sustainable living, bought the car in 1970. He converted it to run on biofuels, which use ethanol created from cheese-making whey and wine. He loaned his beloved vehicle to his son Prince William, who used it to drive Kate from their nuptials in 2011.
WATCH: KING CHARLES' ASTON MARTIN, WHICH RUNS ON 'WINE AND CHEESE,' PAYS HOMAGE TO JAMES BOND: ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHER
The king's cousin, Lord Snowdon, once joked, "How does [the former] Prince Charles drive his Aston Martin? Caerphilly."
Daily Mail reporter Robert Hardman, author of "The Making of a King," also previously told Fox News Digital that Charles is known for sharing "coded messages" by using his ties.
"His favorite has a little T-Rex motif on it," said Hardman. "I thought, 'That's a bit odd. I keep seeing this tie with a dinosaur on it… Of course, his cipher says, C. Rex, Charles Rex. So, I think he's having a little joke about being king with his tie. But he's in a good place. He's a happy monarch."
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