born in the purple

Born into royalty. Purple is a color traditionally associated with royalty. Did you see pictures of the latest addition to the royal family? What a sweet little princess born in the purple! Don't worry, I'll help you navigate this strange world. I wasn't born in the purple either—I married in like you, dear. No, I don't expect you to act like someone born in the purple, but you can't behave that boorishly in front of guests!

born to the purple

Born into royalty. Purple is a color traditionally associated with royalty. Did you see pictures of the latest addition to the royal family? What a sweet little princess born to the purple! Don't worry, I'll help you navigate this strange world. I wasn't born to the purple either—I married in like you, dear. No, I don't expect you to act like someone born to the purple, but you can't behave that boorishly in front of guests!

born in (or to) the purple

born into a reigning family or privileged class.

In ancient times, purple garments were worn only by royal and imperial families because of the rarity and costliness of the dye. Born in the purple (rather than to ) may have specific reference to the fact that Byzantine empresses gave birth in a room in the palace at Constantinople whose walls were lined with the purple stone porphyry. The title ‘the Porphyrogenitos’ or ‘Porphyrogenita’ was used for a prince or princess born in this room.