Clothing belonging to Queen Victoria and her family showed the influence of their love of Scotland, particularly the Highlands, by incorporating tartan and tartan-inspired fabrics. The visit of King George IV to Scotland in 1822, the first British monarch to travel north of the border since Charles II’s departure in 1651, boosted the production of tartan and popularized Highland Dress.

However it was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who put tartan at the forefront of fashion in the mid-nineteenth century. They created their own Balmoral tartan named after the royal summer residence Balmoral Castle which they purchased in 1852. This tartan, along with others exclusive to the Royal Family, is still worn by The Queen today.