Hooded sweaters and turned-up jeans are undisputed favourites when it comes to easy autumnal fashion for men. What is perhaps more surprising is that the one-year-old Crown Prince Jacques of Monaco also sported them whilst in Switzerland earlier this year.

He is not the only young royal at the frontier of modern fashion. The little Greek princes once attended a royal photoshoot with jumpers casually tied around their waists, and Prince Christian of Denmark has been spotted wearing Ralph Lauren and Ferrari polos popular with men three times his age. Gone is the sartorial status quo of formal attire for continental royalty; these princes are being welcomed into the world of fashion with open arms.

Over the channel in Britain, though, one might be forgiven for thinking Prince George’s wardrobe is little more than an imitation of what his infant father and uncle wore 30 years before him, and Prince Charles almost 40 years previous to that; indeed, the red shorts and white shirt worn at Princess Charlotte’s christening was identical to a combination worn by William as a toddler.

Instead of sporting the mini check-shirts and slogan tees on offer from high-street stockists this season, George is perpetually dressed in knee-high socks, shorts, and T-bar shoes, continuing the innocuous pattern of royal fashion followed throughout the historically modern era.

What, then, is the reason behind this antiquated style? The answer lies in the fact the royal family is a brand, and a highly lucrative one at that. The monarchies of Europe are typically little known outside of their respective countries, yet tourists flock to Britain from as far away as Asia, America and Australia to witness the ceremonial changing of the guards, to visit Hampton Court palace, and to try and catch a glimpse of the Queen through a window of Buckingham Palace. As a consequence, the house of Windsor is responsible for bringing in a reported £500 million to our economy every year. 

The allure of the British royals stems from the fact they scarcely stray from the quintessentially ‘British’ ideology: they are synonymous with the rich history of their state, and continue to reign as rather politically insignificant but irreplaceable ambassadors not only for Britain, but a host of international worthy causes. If what you wear is a portrayal of who you are, then their wardrobes must eclectically blend understated elegance and formality together.

Even though he’s not yet started primary school, the young Prince has his own role to play in keeping up appearances. His wardrobe must be a classic compilation of designs which have stood the test of time: T-shirts emblazoned ‘#dude’, acid wash skinny jeans and other generic fast fashion creations just won’t make the cut.

Instead, his ‘novelty’ clothes include a pair of charming sailboat dungarees and a whale-motif jumper. Shorts and knee-high socks are another staple; reminiscent of prototypical prep-school uniforms, they might not be the most practical or warmest combination, but they give a strong impression of maturity for a three-year-old boy; and while T-bars and leather lace-ups are no match for tiny Timberlands and dinky Doc Martens in the style stakes, they are smart and timeless; just what is required for a prince who will one day take the monumental step up to the throne.