If eight years as Men’s Style Editor at the Telegraph has taught me anything, it’s that men tend to settle into a style rut as they grow older. Perhaps ‘rut’ is a little harsh; men stop taking chances with their style (not that many experiment a great deal anyway) and adopt a tried and tested formula that tends to not frighten the fashion horses. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but there’s something pleasing about a man of a certain age taking care with their appearance, whether it’s a handsome silver-haired devil in an Italian piazza or a gentleman in crisp tailoring and camel coat on Jermyn Street. 

Which is why it’s encouraging to see the Earl of Wessex stepping out from behind his big brothers’ shadows (especially now that one of them has all but retired from public life) and enjoying a dressy evening out. Appearing alongside Rosamund Pike and Rege-Jean Page for a fundraiser at the National Youth Theatre, Prince Edward wore a rather ritzy ensemble that’s somewhat boundary pushing for the royal, who tends to tread a safe, familiar line of standard shirts, nice knits and same-same suits.

In a plush velvet smoking jacket with ornate braiding and tartan trousers, the Prince looked every inch the Brigadoon party boy. There’s nothing wildy exotic about his style choices, but it’s a look that’s a little more outre than we’ve seen before. It’s the kind of getup one might see on some laird at a ceilidh in a baronial pile, or a dandyish Noel Coward. It’s also just rather fun, quite jolly and beats a standard black suit anyday.