He was named one of the world’s most stylish men by GQ magazine earlier this year. But the Prince of Wales is clearly taking his new fashion icon status with a pinch of salt.
Despite being bestowed the honour of launching London’s first Men’s Fashion Week on Thursday night, he revealed his surprise at the sartorial attention surrounding him. “I am finding it very hard, ladies and gentleman, to live with myself after I discovered that somebody has suggested I might even be an icon of fashion,” he told the audience at St James’s Palace. “After 64 bleeding years. I don't know why”. He also quipped that he resembles a 'stopped clock', only getting his style right 'every 25 years'. "I have lurched from being the best-dressed man to being the worst dressed man. I don't know why - presumably it sells publications. I have gone on, like a stopped clock — and my time comes around every 25 years," he said.
Some of the fashion industry’s most high-profile names turned out for the event, including Dame Vivienne Westwood, Tom Ford and Tommy Hilfiger. And famous faces from the showbiz world, including Tinie Tempah and David Walliams, queued up to meet the Prince. Funnyman David quipped afterwards: "I asked Charles what he wears. He said mostly Primark, but George at Asda too: he likes to mix it up. "Unlike his daughter-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, the heir to the throne is unlikely to be spotted in high-street wares. Instead, he favours custom-made tailoring by Anderson & Sheppard, shirting by Turnball & Asser, hats by Lock and shoes by Lobb. “I simply go my own way and things come round to me maybe 10 years or so. I do my best to wear the best of British,” he said. He added that he maintains his classic style thanks to the expertise of Savile Row's tailors "who have done their best to deal with my impossible measurements. "The 64-year-old came in at number 50 on GQ's annual 50 Best-dressed Men List for 2012, being lauded for 'proving the point that some men seem to grow into their wardrobe with age'.
