Royals Cave Before American Media's Slobbishness

On the agenda for Prince William’s upcoming visit to the States: a chat with President Obama. And despite previous reports, Buckingham Palace will not demand that American journalists dress properly because that’s the White House’s job and if you yanks can’t be bothered to dress for your own bloody head of state, well, I don’t know what to tell you.

A couple of weeks ago, in advance of Prince William popping down to D.C. for the day, Politico spotted the official dress code for journalists covering the royals during “formal events,” which stipulates jacket and tie for the gents and “a trouser or skirt suit” for women. “Those wearing jeans or trainers will not be admitted and casually dressed members of the media will be turned away.” Technicians, too, equipment notwithstanding. This was received rather poorly, even though the D.C. press corps doesn’t exactly run around in Juicy sweatsuits, because reporters generally loathe being told what to do. Also: FUCKIN AMERICA, MOTHERFUCKER.

Well, a palace spokesperson told the Guardian (h/t Politico) that they’re not actually gonna fuck with any of that:

“It will be down to the White House, as the host, to set the dress code for what media should be wearing,” the spokesman said. He confirmed that reporters wearing jeans or informal footwear would not be turned away. “Of course they’re not,” he said.

And the White House confirmed there’d be no “special or different dress code.”