Like his mother, King Charles III has a deep connection to Scotland and is often seen at events like the Braemar Highland Games. Throughout his life, he has spent many summers at Balmoral Castle and has been spotted wearing highlandwear, notably a tartan kilt. The King has been photographed in several iconic tartans, some of which hold royal significance, while others are more commonly worn.   What’s the Difference Between Universal and Clan Tartans? As a general rule of thumb, tartan can be classified as either Universal or Clan: Universal tartans hold no clan or familial significance and can be worn by anyone. Clan tartans, as the name suggests, are affiliated with a specific Scottish clan or family. Within the thousands of different tartan designs, some are classified as Restricted. These tartans have rules attached to them and their use. For example, our Mist tartan range are restricted tartans. They can only be produced with the express permission of MacGregor and MacDuff, but anyone can wear items made from them. When anyone designs a tartan and has it registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans, you get to specify whether it’s open to all or protected for regulated use.    Can Anyone Wear the Royal Stewart Tartan? Officially, the Royal Stewart tartan is a restricted tartan that belongs to the monarch, making it a restricted tartan, but in practice, it’s one of the most widely worn tartans in the world. Thanks to its iconic red base and high visibility in royal appearances (including King Charles III and other members of the Royal Family), the Royal Stewart tartan has become what many consider an “unofficial” universal tartan. While, according to the rules of tartan, permission should be granted before it can be woven or worn, the tartan has outgrown this restriction. The Stewart tartan and all its variants are commercially available to anyone and a favourite of many.   Is the Balmoral Tartan Only for the Monarch? Unlike the Stewart tartan, the Balmoral tartan is much more exclusive and can only be worn by the monarch and whom he gives his express permission. The Barmoral tartan is considered the most exclusive tartan in existence, thanks to its publicity and the well-known love Queen Elizabeth had for it. It was designed in 1853 by Prince Albert (Queen Victoria’s husband) and features a mix of grey, black, and red. It’s said to have been inspired by the granite landscape around Balmoral Castle. Surprisingly, the tartan has arguably been worn most by a non-royal in the form of the Sovereign's Piper, who has been photographed many times wearing it at Royal ceremonies.   What is the King Charles III tartan? In 2023, the King Charles III tartan was created to mark the Coronation and celebrate His Majesty’s support in preserving the culture and traditions of Highland Dress and Scottish Tartans. The tartan was designed with the King's approval by the Scottish Tartans Authority and is based on the Balmoral sett. The tartan features a central stripe motif (one broad and two narrow), which is a design favourite found in tartans worn by the king in the past. A unique element of the design is the colours used to create the new tartan match the hues that were naturally available during the 18th century. This is a subtle nod to the ancient history of tartan. The King Charles III tartan is officially registered as a restricted royal design, meaning that without express permission, it cannot be woven or worn without prior approval. The tartan was first worn publicly by the King at the Braemar Gathering in 2023.   Who Can Wear the Black Watch Tartan? The Black Watch tartan is one of the oldest Universal tartans, classified as such due to its military ties, rather than clan associations. Originally worn by the Black Watch regiment, and now used by the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the tartan features a dark green and navy design. This is a great tartan for people who want to wear a traditional Scottish tartan but don’t want to wear anything with a clan connection. Although it has a traditional look, it pairs well with many contemporary kilt outfits and looks great as a pair of trews or trousers.   How Are Royal Tartans Different from Other Tartans? The beauty of tartan is that each design has a story. Whether it celebrates a clan's history or pays tribute to a region of Scotland, each holds a deep significance to the designer and wearer. The same can be said for Royal tartans like the Stewart and Balmoral. While the Stewart tartan has broken traditional boundaries and become unrestricted, the Balmoral tartan still holds significance to the Royal family and remains off-limits to anyone else. Regardless of their classification, all tartan is symbolic of tradition, heritage, and national pride.   Want to Create Your Own Tartan? Inspired by the exclusivity of the Barmoral tartan, and want to create your own tartan that only you can wear? Our Tartan Design Service can help you do just that. We will walk you through each step of the design process to help you create something totally unique to you. We will also have it registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans, inclusive of your restrictions. Click here to learn more about our Tartan Design Service.