Is Prince William a style icon?

We know that Kate Middleton is being lauded for her sense of style. But what about Prince William? Sure, he's good looking and when the occasion calls for it, he cleans up well in a bespoke suit, but is he really a style icon? Let's review the evidence.

Most recently we've watched Prince William pass out of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was impressive in his uniform. But the question on the minds royal watchers and fashionista's alike: Did that black uniform do him justice? The answer is a resounding yes!Admirably showing off his toned waist, he decided to accessorize with a rifle, red sash and the Sovereign's banner.

Yes, black seems to be his color. He looked especially smart in his silk university graduation gown. But he doesn't shy away from brighter colors. Like his father before him, he has shown that from an early age, he can wear such classics as the 160 year old royal christening gown.

Although William looked great in his uniform, not everyone can pull this look off. William's height works to his advantage, but like the rest of us, he works with what he's got. However, that shiny token medal on his uniform can't detract from the thinning spot on the back of his head. He effortlessly drew attention away from this by wearing the mandatory hat. But let's face it, he can't do that forever. Luckily last year's trend continues and thanks to Howie Mandel, bald is still beautiful.

Despite this, he plays up his assets: flawless skin, good muscle definition and blue eyes; the color of two deep pools of Tide laundry detergent. You'll feel cleaner just staring into them. From his first appearance leaving the hospital as a blanket clad bundle in his mother's arms, to last summer's chili pepper swim shorts, William's outfits are always climate appropriate. Wearing military fatigues, his face covered in mud, he exudes an air of elegance.

One must be tempted to ask: where does he get his sense of style? It's inevitable that he will be compared to his father - who, in 1952, at the age of four, was voted one of the 'World's Ten Best Dressed Men'. It runs in the family. In 1929, his grandmother made the cover of Time Magazine by 'setting the babe fashion for yellow'. William himself used to set trends as a child, wearing his silk baby rompers and toddler snowsuit. More recently he made the Vanity Fair 2006 International Best Dressed list.

But while William may be in good company, he still stands out in a crowd. Unlike the rest of us, William is lucky, he has the fashion accessory everyone is talking about: Kate Middleton. Indeed, fashion wise he has yet to put a foot wrong. Things can only go up from here.

Verdict: Prince William is the style icon to watch for 2007.

© Marilyn Braun 2007