DIY Halloween Costume: Prince William

Want to be a proper prince for Halloween? How about Prince William, Duke of Cambridge? The dashing and athletic Briton, whose royal wedding was one of the most widely watched social events in recent history, is one of the hottest Halloween trick-or-treat costume subjects this year.

Choose either a gallant or game look for your Prince William costume.

The dapper and daunting son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana is known for his preppy good looks and his traditional wardrobe choices. Although the newly married Duke of Cambridge is often seen in well-cut suits and casual chinos, the most recognizable Halloween costume choices are likely to play on his military regalia or his polo get-up.

Take your pick from these two fun, but fiscally frugal, masquerade options.

Assemble a royal bridegroom costume.

With the world watching, the handsome prince wore his scarlet Irish Guard uniform to marry his royal bride, Kate Middleton.

With a bit of imagination and a bright red topcoat, you can recreate this look for trick or treating or Halloween costume parties. Hunt through the racks at a resale shop, and pick a crimson coat with brass buttons. A red pirate coat, such as Captain Hook might wear, works well.

Run a stripe of red duct tape down the outside of each leg on a pair of solid black trousers.

Add a bright blue sash, white gloves, shiny black shoes and a black brimmed military cap.

Suit up as Prince William, the polo star.

Take a more sporty approach to princely trick or treating by putting together a polo player's outfit fit for the recent royal bridegroom.

Find a polo jersey, preferably bearing a British flag emblem. Pair this top with white pants or riding breeches, if you can find them.

Tuck the pants into knee-high boots for an equestrian look.

Strap on a riding safety helmet and a pair of black sports gloves. Grab a croquet mallet, unless you have a real polo stick, and you're ready for some royal Halloween fun.

Don't forget the most stylish feature!

Of course, no Prince William Halloween costume is complete without Kate Middleton on his left arm, so it's a good idea to enlist a friend to garb up as a classic counterpart.

More from this contributor:

British Prince William May Sport Scarlet Irish Guard Uniform for Royal Wedding

Princess Diana: 7 Intriguing Facts About the Late Princess of Wales and Horses

30 Top Categories for Halloween Costume Contests

Linda Ann Nickerson brings decades of experience and a globally-minded Midwestern perspective to a host of topics, balancing human interest with history, hard facts and often humor.