His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, DSSRS, JP, Edward I, Perekule XI, didn’t just celebrate a birthday, he made a bold fashion statement that blended tradition, elegance and royal authority.

To mark his 60th birthday, the King made a bold cultural and fashion statement in three stunning kartans, each worn with pride, purpose, and regal grace.

The garments were not just attires but symbols of authority, heritage, and royal elegance, worn across the different phases of his celebration.

A kartan is a long, flowing ceremonial robe worn by royals and dignitaries, originally in the Middle East, but now in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.

Known for its detailed embroidery and matching accessories, it is a garment of honour, heritage, and prestige, often reserved for significant occasions.

The King paired his kartans with white inner shirts and custom-made matching caps, staying true to traditional Bonny royalty.

The first official photos released by the King Perekule Palace showed the monarch in a tan-coloured kartan, soft and majestic.

The outfit was complemented by a matching cap embossed with the King Perekule royal symbol; a crowned curlew surrounded by a circle of stars. This symbol is not just a crest; it is a mark of legacy, authority, and the deep-rooted identity of the Bonny throne.

The tan kartan, worn during the special thanksgiving service at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny, in the early part of the day, reflected peace, tradition, and a calm yet commanding presence befitting a morning royal blessing.

As the celebration advanced and surrounded by elegant guests including the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, the King appeared in a richer, resplendent, charcoal-black kartan.

Radiating maturity and cultural strength, the embroidery on this robe was more intricate, suggesting a progression in tone and mood, especially, as it was paired again with the iconic cap and royal beads.

This look was perfect for mid-day engagements and interactions with chiefs, dignitaries, and guests.

The deep brown spoke of wisdom, history, and the King’s long-standing reign as custodian of Bonny’s values and traditions.

For the church thanksgiving and evening reception, His Majesty wore a commanding black kartan, complete with white inner lining and embroidery. The robe was bold, elegant, and deeply symbolic.

Black, in this context, didn’t mean mourning, it meant power, royalty, and celebration.

This final outfit crowned the day’s fashion journey. It was a look that owned the night, dignified, majestic, and unforgettable.

King Edward I didn’t just wear clothes, he told a story. The three kartans were chosen and timed with care, each representing a layer of his leadership and life.

From the soft tan of dawn to the rich brown of noon, and the bold black of night, the monarch’s style spoke louder than words.

The matching cap bearing the royal crest remained constant, reminding everyone that while styles may change, legacy stays firm.

While the designers and cost of these kartans were not disclosed, their quality and craftsmanship suggest royal tailoring at its finest. Every stitch, every fold, every colour choice spoke of dignity, strength, and pride in tradition.

King Edward’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration was not just a celebration of age, it was a celebration of heritage through fashion.

And in each appearance, the Black Monarch reminded the world that royalty is not just about crowns, it’s about presence, purpose, and pride in identity.