The Princess of Wales made a distinctive sartorial choice this week, stepping out in a pair of elegant high heels for the opening of a major new museum facility, despite explicit recommendations for flat footwear.
Attending the launch of the V&A East Storehouse in London, the royal was photographed in a vibrant blue tailored blazer and trousers. Her choice of black heels stood in contrast to the venue’s published guidance, which advises visitors to wear practical clothing and flat shoes due to the building’s metal grid flooring, noted as unsuitable for stilettos.
The new cultural venue offers the public unprecedented access to its vast collections, allowing guests to request viewings of specific items from its holdings of hundreds of thousands of objects, books, and archives.
The facility’s director praised the Princess’s visit, highlighting her focused engagement with the exhibits. He described her as having “super energy” and a genuine passion for art, design, and creativity, noting her academic background in art history. When asked about the footwear, he remarked that she handled the visit expertly and was entirely focused on the objects.
During her tour, she reportedly requested to see several specific items, including a musical instrument, historic fabric samples, and objects connected to themes of nature.
The occasion recalls a previous, more precarious moment involving royal heels years ago, but on this visit, the focus remained firmly on the cultural significance of the new public resource and the royal’s evident interest in its collections.
