Why Did Prince William Wear A Skull Cap?
Before discussing why Prince William wore a skull cap, it is first necessary to provide some brief background information on his family, the British Royal family. The Royal Family is headed by Queen Elizabeth II and includes other of her immediate family members, including her husband, Prince Philip, her four children, their respective spouses, and their eight grandchildren. Prince William is her oldest grandson, having been born in 1982 and the Duke of Cambridge since his marriage to Duchess Catherine in 2011.
Adding to the context of Prince William’s life, he is a full-time royal and has established himself as a patron of many charities, alongside his military service and other royal engagements. In 2017, Prince William made an appearance at the Remembrance Sunday Ceremony, held in London to commemorate the Centenary Armistice of World War I. This is when he was seen wearing a tribal-style skull cap known as a ‘Boro’.
The source of this article relays that the Boro is a type of pocketed cloth generally worn by the people of Southern India and Sri Lanka. Prince William is known for wearing items associated to the Commonwealth, which is a network of 53 countries that are the former colonies of the British Empire.Given this, Prince William is likely wearing the Boro because of its cultural ties to one of the Commonwealth countries.
This was further reinforced when the source explained that tribals and rural communities in India and Sri Lanka use the Boro to reflect their connection to nature and the environment, viewing it as an extension of the belief system associated to the land. The same source noted that such beliefs have been held by the people from these countries for a long time – likely for hundreds of years – and the Boro is seen as more than simple clothing but also as a way to merge with and respect nature.
The fact that Prince William chose to wear this skull cap is significant for many reasons but is especially meaningful in the context of the Remembrance Ceremony. By wearing the Boro, Prince William was symbolically demonstrating his respect for the Commonwealth countries as well as his appreciation for the people from these regions and the natural elements they have long revered. Furthermore, the decision to wear this cultural item can be seen as a form of inclusivity – one that expresses the fact that the British Royal Family acknowledges and honors the diversity of its former colonies.
Role of the Remembrance Ceremony
The Remembrance Day Ceremony is an annual event of great significance for Britain and Commonwealth member countries. Besides being a chance to commemorate the armistice of WWI, it is also a chance to come together as a collective in order to show respect for all the soldiers who have fought and died in battle.
The ceremony features routine aspects such as a two-minute silence, wading of flowers, and reading of scriptures but Prince William’s choice to wear a Boro skull cap during his attendance in 2017 resonated as a powerful symbol of solidarity between the UK and her former colonies. That he was clearly seen to recognize the significance of this connection says much about the Royal Family and their attitude towards their once colonial subjects.
Indeed, such actions bring to light the larger notion of lost and regained identity among Commonwealth countries; an identity which slowly but surely is being acknowledged and appreciated by the mere gesture of wearing the Boro.
Symbolism
The explanation of the symbolism behind the Boro and its interpretation by Prince William goes much deeper than initially imagined. The decision to wear the Boro as a representation of the missing soldiers who served under the British and Commonwealth armies implied a degree of understanding and acknowledgement by the Royal Family of the difficulty and loss these countries inflicted on themselves in the name of loyalty and brotherhood.
The Boro has a special spot in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people around the world not only due to its symbolism but also as a piece of clothing as it offers comfort and practicality. That it is one of the few items of clothing considered truly intersectional in that it’s worn by different genders, cultural backgrounds, and of a variety of ages offered the opportunity to bridge different regional cultures, languages and lost identities.
Connection with Other Commonwealth Countries
The importance of the Commonwealth countries to the UK is indisputable, and it’s clear the Royal Family appreciate the history and connection they have with them. Not only do they bridge the UK with cultures and countries around the world, but they also bring people together in an international environment and foster a relationship of understanding and tolerance.
Regardless of Prince William’s intentions in wearing the Boro, the significance of his decision can’t be understated. The image of the Royal Family wearing a culturally relevant symbol from a former colony was widely recognised as a sign of respect and admiration for those citizens. Thus, despite being a small item, it offered a meaningful and fascinating insight into the greater relationship between the Royal Family and the Commonwealth countries.
Reactions to the Skull Cap
On social media, people felt a sense of pride as a result of the Royal Family’s acknowledgement of the cultural significance of the Boro. Community members, especially from India, Sri Lanka, and other Commonwealth countries, spoke positively about the image and the gesture it represented.
By and large, Prince William was applauded for his understanding and respect for other cultures – something which his family have mostly been praised for throughout their reign. On national news outlets, the image was used as a symbol of how different cultural items can be connected and bring people together – both on a national, and on an international level.
Representing His Country
Prince William is a direct representation of the British Royal Family, so wearing the Boro as a depiction of Commonwealth solidarity could be understood as an action taken to honour the experiences of those who have served for the country.
Moreover, the ability to bridge cultures in such a broad way was proudly noted. Representing India, Sri Lanka, and other Commonwealth countries in the same gesture via a symbol which encapsulates hundreds of years of histories and belief systems was truly powerful and meaningful.
The further nuance of the situation is that due to Prince William’s position and prominence, the image of him wearing the Boro drew the attention of people both from the Commonwealth and from all around the world. This included the people of the United Kingdom, many of whom were proud of the Royal Family’s efforts to bridge cultures and differentiate themselves from the neo-colonial era.
Legacy
The Boro skull cap has earned a place in the Royal Family’s sartorial history and will likely represent much more than a practical item of clothing. By wearing this traditional cultural piece, Prince William highlighted the importance and the extent to which the British Royal Family is dedicated to honouring its peace-building mission among the Commonwealth countries.
With utmost respect, Prince William epitomised the Royal Family’s attitude towards the former colonies of the British Empire, sending an important message about how all people, regardless of origin, race, religion, or culture, can come together in a single representation. Ultimately, it’s clear that the gesture of wearing the Boro will live on as an emblem of peace, respect, and understanding.
Promotion of Human Rights
The collective appreciation of the Boro’s symbolism is further augmented by its role in the promotion of certain human rights. The International Labour Organization (ILO) recognises the Boro as a symbol of freedom, justice, and human rights.
The connection between the Boro and human rights goes back to the struggles of the 19th century in various countries affected by colonialism and industrialisation. ILO’s former Chief Local Officer, Iqbal Masih, drew attention to the issue in 1992 by slaughtering a few Boro shawls made with child labourers in India. The action resonated further with the global leaders at the ILO who later declared that the Boro shawl is a sign of human rights and respect for humanity.
