“Prince Rupprecht will probably only appreciate the advantages of this practical garment later,” we can read in the caption which accompanies a series of photos published this January 16 on the Instagram account of the Bavarian family. Main protagonist of this improvised photo shoot, an adorable little brunette named Rupprecht. The 5-month-old prince, curled up in the arms of his mother, Princess Sophie-Alexandra of Bavaria, has alert eyes. He has just received a pair of leather pants [culotte de peau ou culotte de cuir, ndlr] from the Bavarian Traditional Costume Association, as “Weisert”.
Behind this very German word hides “an Alpine tradition which consists of offering bread or pastries made from yeast at the birth of a child”, we learn from post. Here is a treat for the son of Prince Ludwig, born on August 6, who we prefer to remind of his roots. “In the past, leather pants were simple everyday items of clothing in the Alps and were often passed down from generation to generation. Today, they have become occasional clothing (costumes) for folk festivals.”
The members of the Wittelsbach house are also accustomed to these relatively expensive deerskin pants. “Prince Regent Luitpold wore them while hunting, while others used them as everyday clothing for their children,” the legend states. And every year, in September, during the Lion March, Prince Ludwig proudly displays himself in his leather pants. One day, no doubt, Rupprecht will join him. But, for now, the toddler seems much more interested in the painted card that accompanies his new outfit.
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