King Charles IIIis no stranger to publicity.
As the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II, he’s been living under a microscope since birth.
Admittedly, Charles' time in the spotlight hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
The illicit romance dubbed “Camillagate” scandalized the entire country and humiliated the royal family.
According to fashion expert Derek Guy, Charles is a true fashion icon.
“He’s the last link to that era where men wore tailoring well.
Stylistically, Prince William is very conventional.
Not badly dressed, but he doesn’t have that stuff I love about old-style tailoring.”
And for someone like King Charles, even the most minor faux pas can become a major news story.
Indeed, the public loves a good royal wardrobe disaster.
He was caught sunbathing nude in 1994
The public is unnaturally obsessed with royal bodies.
Even King Charles III knows what it’s like to be ogled by the public.
In 1994, photos of his bare body (viaThe New Zealand Herald) sparked a media firestorm.
It all started on a sunny afternoon in the South of France.
Charles stepped out for a nude tanning session while vacationing at a private chateau.
Unfortunately, the royal wasn’t alone a paparazzo was secretly watching him from a distance.
Before long, the snapshots became front-page news.
While mingling with locals, he received the ultimate gift: a knitted rasta hat with faux dreadlocks.
Charles graciously accepted the gift and plopped it on his head … backward.
Some observers laughed while others were baffled.
Not everyone was impressed with Charles' rasta hat shenanigans.
According to Jamaican lawyer Hugh Small, many locals have mixed feelings about the sovereign.
“He is not a very endearing person.
In Jamaica, Charles' public image is also shaped by colonialism.
Jamaica was a British colony from 1670 until becoming part of the British Commonwealth in 1962.
“Many, if not all immigrants, would share my view,” Green stated.
The segment featured him in an unusual state.
During the interview, Charles spoke about the economic issues facing Britain’s rural communities.
However, the conversation spawned another hot topic.
His Majesty wore a disheveled jacket, and watchers couldn’t stop talking about it.
The shoddy outerwear featured numerous rips, frays, and patches.
To some viewers, it looked like a fashion statement gone horribly wrong.
But there’s likely a simple explanation for his tattered attire.
Charles is known for being thrifty and frugal (well, by royal standards anyway).
In 2020, the regal opened up toVogue Indiaabout his penchant for mending and recycling old clothing.
“Well, I’m one of those people who hate throwing anything away,” Charles stated.
Per tradition, Charles and his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, sported full military regalia.
The trio looked perfectly crisp and polished until an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction struck.
As watchers quickly noticed, Charles struggled to put on his white gloves.
Photos of the debacle showed William gesturing comically at his father while Catherine looked on, laughing.
Despite his relatively calm demeanor, Charles probably felt a tinge of embarrassment over his glove malfunction.
As noted by royal expert Christopher Andersen, the king is a stickler for always looking his best.
“By the mid-’90s, Charles was already spending six figures annually on clothes.”
When it comes to his wardrobe, Charles knows how to make an impression.
Along the way, they traveled to The Gambia, a former British colony that became independent in 1965.
The pair joined Gambian leaders for a ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Fajara.
Flanked by military members, Charles and Camilla looked regal and respectful.
The faux pas caused quite a stir online.
The infamous button photo resurfaced again in 2022, and things got weird.
It also claimed that the image was recent when, in reality, it was five years old.
Unfortunately, by the time the post was debunked, it had already garnered thousands of likes and reposts.
Charles' coronation took place on May 26, 2023, during a historic ceremony.
Compared to Elizabeth’s coronation, Charles scaled things back considerably.
For one thing, his guest list was significantly smaller.
He also ditched the strict dress code, opting for a more casual vibe.
With solid-gold accents and hundreds of gems, it’s an iconic symbol of the British monarchy.
The head ornament weighs five pounds, making it a formidable fashion accessory.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite fit on Charles' head.
Viewers noticed this wardrobe malfunction when the Archbishop stepped forward to crown the new king.
The regals showed up to celebrate the local Bangladeshi community.
They were greeted with a vibrant display of music, dancing, and other cultural delights.
There was plenty to see at the event, from colorful Sarees to an energetic crowd of spectators.
Photographers captured close-ups of the hole, and the snapshots quickly circulated through cyberspace.
Charles' holey sock generated many reactions, including snark, praise, and even a few conspiracy theories.
Royal expert Christopher Andersen proclaimed that Charles was probably “mortified” by the situation (viaFox News).
However, many people viewed the footwear slip-up as endearing and relatable.
One X (formerly Twitter) usertweeted, “King Charles is truly one of us!
Most of us have at least one pair of socks with a hole.”
Another fanposted: “Even Royals are not immune from fashion faux pas.”
OnTikTok, a video about Charles' cavernous sock garnered over 16,000 views.
Charles' damaged sock proved that even the slightest royal wardrobe malfunction can break the internet.
On one hand, it exemplifies the massive star power of the royal family.
On the other hand, it’s a testament to the enormous public scrutiny they face.
The king was all smiles while mingling with attendees and admiring the flora.
However, his cheerful smile wasn’t the only notable thing about his appearance.
Some observers noticed that Charles didn’t look quite as polished as usual.
His suit was a bit wrinkly, and there were deep creases in his trousers.
Fashion expert Derek Guy weighed in on Charles' disheveled suit.
“I don’t know why that is.
Clearly, he has the resources.”
Still, there may be a reasonable explanation for Charles' untidy suits.
Or perhaps he just didn’t have time.
Regardless, Charles remains a style icon wrinkles and all.
