Royal Fashion Awards: The Belgian Abdication

As Britain waited for a someday future monarch, Belgium went ahead and traded in for a future monarch right now: King Albert II abdicated on Sunday in favor of his son, the new King Philippe. The events took place in the midst of the yearly National Day celebrations, with happenings on Saturday night followed on Sunday by a Te Deum, the abdication, the new King's oath at Parliament, a military parade and more, carrying on into the night.

Video: A summary of the day's main events

As you might expect, Belgium's own Natan label made plenty of appearances, dressing Queen Mathilde, her two daughters, Queen Paola, and Princess Claire. Plenty of hats from Fabienne Delvigne were also in play. This is a standard combination, particularly for Mathilde, and that went along with the tone: this was a special event but still business as usual at the same time.

Best Dressed

Queen Mathilde (and King Philippe)

Left to right: Saturday evening, the day events on Sunday, and later on Sunday

Mathilde didn't put a foot wrong. She was elegant at every turn - but still very much Typical Mathilde. She always loves her some prints, we've seen shoulder details like that in the past, and these are her standard shapes. Special...and yet normal, if you get what I'm trying to say here. Not to be forgotten, Philippe cut a dashing figure in his uniform - in two uniforms for the day, in fact, as he made a switch to a new one as king.

Just to throw us magpies a bone, this being such a regular old bling-free occasion and all, new official portraits were released. And we get something new-to-us! Mathilde has made her debut in the Nine Provinces Tiara, specifically the bandeau portion only. Gorgeous bandeau tiara hair, plus Queen Fabiola's mega diamond waterfall brooch we've seen Mathilde wear a few times. I can't wait to see her in the full tiara - maybe she can make me love it, miracles do happen - but this was a lovely compromise: a "new" thing, but still not too much for the current sparkle-phobic climate.

Best in Coordination

The Duchess of Brabant, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, Princess Eléonore

Four very well behaved and well coordinated children, no? But I can't resist saying here: I'm getting a few shades of déjà vu here to the dresses worn by the A-Team at the Dutch inauguration. Right? Plus the collar on Mathilde's dress too. And while I'm at it, her blue gown above (again, Natan) makes me flashback to the pink Natan she wore at the Dutch inauguration. 

Best in Retirement

Queen Paola (and King Albert)

L to R: Saturday night, Sunday day, Sunday night

Paola's green was the perfect color choice - a nice contrast to Mathilde in ivory, easy to see, but not scene stealing. The emotion of the event showed particularly on these two, I thought, and they went proudly into their retirement, so to speak. 

Best in Color Commitment

Queen Fabiola

L to R: On Saturday, and on Sunday

Taking the purple all the way to the gloves: that's my kind of royal.

Best in Quick Changes

Princess Claire

L to R: On Saturday (with husband Prince Laurent), on Sunday at the first events, and later at the military parade

After giving us her best impression of a highlighter in neon on Saturday, Claire made a crafty non-change outfit change that I loved: she simply ditched the jacket and swapped out her hat to sit outside for the parade. Two outfits in one. (And I'm quite partial to the second version, but then I do love a big hat.)

Best in Family Coordination

Princess Astrid

L to R: On Saturday, on Sunday on the balcony, on Sunday at the military parade with her husband, Prince Lorenz, and four of their children behind them

Even more coordinated as a family than the reigning ones: Princess Astrid went for pale pink, as did her two eldest daughters (and her youngest daughter had a printed skirt that went nicely with the rest). Plus, she brought us bonus royal spotting! In the second row we have Princess Maria Laura, Princess Luisa Maria, Princess Laetitia Maria, and Prince Joachim (in uniform). The only thing we're missing is Astrid and Lorenz's oldest child, Prince Amedeo. And as another bonus, on the far left we have Princess Léa (widow of King Albert's late half-brother Prince Alexander) - also in tune with the pink memo.

Who wins your best dressed title?

P.S.: Yesterday's post is still open if you want to chat about the new baby! If there are hospital exits to cover, we'll do so tomorrow.

Photos: Getty Images/Belgian Monarchy/Reuters/AP/AFP/Belga

Royal Splendor 101: An Abdication in Belgium

The Year of the Abdication continued to pick up steam last week as Belgium's King Albert II announced that he would abdicate in favor of his son, Philippe, on July 21st.

Albert officially took the throne on August 9, 1993, after the death of his older brother, King Baudouin I. Baudouin was only 62 when he suddenly passed away from heart failure while in Spain. Many saw Philippe as Baudouin's successor (since the King and his wife, Queen Fabiola, had not been able to have children), so Albert's 20 year reign wasn't necessarily in the forecast. There have been rumors of an abdication this year, but still his act has taken many by surprise.

Video: Albert's speech, announcing the abdication

Abdication is not a foreign concept in the Belgian monarchy. Baudouin and Albert's father, King Leopold III, abdicated, but not under peaceful circumstances. Remaining in occupied Belgium during World War II against the advice of his government, the conditions of Leopold's lifestyle and his actions came to be regarded with great suspicion, and he was accused of cooperating with the Nazis. He and his family were removed from Belgium by the German forces prior to the liberation, and he could not return until 1950. The question of whether he should return or not - the Royal Question, as it was known - divided the country deeply. Though he was allowed to return, his arrival caused great unrest. He was pressured to abdicate and finally did so, turning the throne over to 20-year-old Baudouin.

Philippe, Albert, and Elisabeth

Albert steps down on a far calmer note, and on his own initiative, in the style of his fellow Benelux monarchs in the Netherlands and Luxembourg. At 79 years old, he cited ill health as his reason for abdicating. Recent years have brought plenty of stress for the monarch; there have been problems with the economy (the royal family recently lost some allowances in budget cuts and must start paying some taxes) and the government, as well as a host of issues directed at his own family. Queen Fabiola was accused of tax dodging for setting up a perfectly legal trust to handle some of her assets on her death; Albert's son Prince Laurent was suspended from royal appearances for a time following an unauthorized visit to the Congo (which was not the first time he landed himself in hot water); Philippe was hit with renewed speculation about his character and his marriage following a recent book publication; and so on. Albert has some scandal of his own, too: he (allegedly) fathered an illegitimate daughter in the 1960s - he has acknowledged that his marriage went through a rough period - and now this (alleged) unrecognized daughter has sued to prove her bloodline. Obviously, none of these issues are part of the official reason for passing the torch, but perhaps something of a fresh start would be useful.

Video: Philippe's statement, after his father's announcement

That fresh start comes in the form of 53-year-old Prince Philippe, the Duke of Brabant. He will take the throne as the King of Belgians with his wife, the new Queen Mathilde, at his side. His heir is the eldest of his four children, Princess Elisabeth, 11 years old, who will become the Duchess of Brabant (though obviously a full roster of official duties will wait until she's older). Belgium does not follow the example set by the Netherlands of "reducing" their abdicated monarch's title, so there will be a plethora of kings and queens: King Philippe, King Albert, Queen Mathilde, Queen Paola, and Queen Fabiola.

Video: Albert takes his oath

King Philippe will be installed on July 21st, which is National Day, and the ceremonies will take place around the traditional National Day events, including a Te Deum and military parade: the morning's Te Deum will be followed by the abdication ceremony at the Royal Palace, and then the new monarch will proceed to the Parliament to take his oath. Then come the military proceedings, including the parade, and the rest of the regular National Day celebrations.

The enthronement procedure for a Belgian monarch is rather simple, as you can see in the video above. There is no robe of ermine, there are no crowns or glittering tiaras (Belgium hasn't hosted a tiara event in several years, they don't even host state visits these days). It is not traditional for foreign guests to be invited, and it doesn't sound like they have any intention to change that. This won't be as splashy as what we saw in the Netherlands earlier this year, but as we've seen, each country does this thing in their own unique way.

Photos: Belgian Monarchy/Getty Images

Royal Fashion Awards: Belgium's National Day

Saturday was National Day in Belgium, and as always the morning Te Deum and afternoon military parade brought hats, uniforms...and some slightly rambunctious children.

Best in Quick Changes

Princess Mathilde

Mathilde sported something like a crepe paper streamer version of those forward tilting hats the Duchess of Cambridge is so fond of (alas, I do not share their enthusiasm). And it drew particular attention to her hair, which I couldn't help but notice changed in the middle of the day. Just as her husband made a quick change between military uniforms, Mathilde took her hair down.

Best in Fab

Queen Fabiola

Yup, there she is, still trucking. What more can you say?

Best in Class Acts

Queen Paola

Very understated outfit from Paola today, but it's working. I suppose she's busy making sure her husband keeps his impaling to grates and not people, she doesn't need to fuss with the outfit.

Best in Standard

Princess Astrid

 

She always wears her uniform and she always wears it well, plus she brought along her smartly dressed hubby, Lorenz, and daughter, Laetitia Maria. End of the story, really.

Best in Hats

Princess Claire & Co.

Now that's a hat I can get down with - a real, proper hat. Love. Side tip of my own hat to the mischievous twins, Nicolas and Aymeric, who commandeered some chapeau action of their own. (Their father's sword was also commandeered for a moment...and we thought King Albert was hazardous with the weaponry! Cheeky monkeys, these two.)

Who's your best dressed at this year's National Day celebrations?

Photos: Belga/Isopix/Reuters

Royal Fashion Awards: Belgian National Day 2011

While I was away, the Belgians celebrated National Day with a concert, Te Deums at various locations, and a military parade. Knowing how they've spruced it up for National Days past, I had my hopes up for at least a few giggles this year. The verdict? Disappointingly tame. Regardless, we continue on with our usual shenanigans:

Best Spirit

Queen Fabiola

Electric blue tights. YES. There's no better way to say "I'm 83 years old, people seem to enjoy throwing death threats my way; I'll do what I please." Fab indeed.

Most Consistent

Princess Astrid

Astrid's like Princess Anne in that her best showings involve rocking the lady military uniform. She does have a bit of non-uniform game, though: the gold number's simple and elegant (if a bit of a wrinkly mess). Her daughter Princess Laetitia Maria made a cute companion in dual greens.

Most Typical

Princess Mathilde

Head-to-toe typical Mathilde on show this year, including one trend she seems to be catching lately: the copy cat. She wears Kate's Issa dress, followed by a near-replica of Máxima's royal wedding outfit...and now she turns up in Armani's version of Mary's dress from the Monaco wedding! What's up with that?

Best Dressed

Queen Paola

I'm usually not that impressed by Paola. I mean, she just doesn't stick out that much. And it's not that there's anything terribly memorable here either, but together: it's a nice showing. Cute polka dots and a flattering flower print? Why not?

Most Missed

Princess Claire

Princess Claire is the one that usually makes National Day so darn entertaining. She puts extra special care into her outfits, and I always appreciate her eye-searing efforts. Alas, with her husband's particular brand of misfit not currently welcomed with open arms at the royal court, she went M.I.A. Claire and Laurent attended only a popular street party with their children in tow. Shape up, Laurent: I'm going to need some LOLs next year from your better half!

Who made your best dressed list this year?

Photos: Hola/AP Photo/Reuters/Daylife/PurePeople/Abaca

Flashback Friday: Belgian National Days Past

Sometimes, it's all about context.  Sure, the ladies of the Belgian royal family came up with some doozies at this year's National Day, but when you look at what they sported in years past, they were really just carrying on one hell of a tradition....

Queen Paola's planetary hat this year just echoed the tradition begun by Mathilde last year:

Three years earlier, she went the turban route:

Maybe I'll go as Mathilde for Halloween this year.  All I need is a roll of craft paper to wrap around my head and a bright orange outfit.

Or a swamp thing to stick on my head with matching psychedelic coat.

Even Queen Fabiola gets in on the fun sometimes, playing the roll of family fortune teller in 2005.

The Queen of the Strange National Day Costumes, however, has to be Princess Claire.

It's only when she sits that you realize that this dress has a tail.

Let's start with the handbag: it's in the shape of Belgium.  Call me geographically challenged, but all I see is a strange black blob with oddly positioned rhinestones (at least, I think that's what they are).  The coat is a tribute to Mondrian, which I can get down with.  But you'd have to try pretty hard to find anything less Mondrian in nature than the giant pouf of tulle and fluffy balloon skirt surrounding it.  That's what I call a thematic fail.

But it's not as big of a thematic fail as this gem, the pièce de résistance of sartorial tomfoolery:

There are no words.

Photos: Mark Renders/Getty Images/Gerard Cerles/AFP

Royal Fashion Awards: National Day in Belgium

The Belgian ladies put on quite a show for National Day today, and it was an interesting sartorial display indeed.  Let's give out some awards, shall we?

Best Get Out of Criticism Free Pass

Queen Fabiola

Queen Fabiola's just cute.  She's earned the right to scarf it up, wear pants and no hat to a cathedral service, and to leave her house in the granny version of John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever wardrobe.

Most Mind Boggling

Queen Paola

This is a whole lot of look.  There is a planetary ring of lace around her head, and it's just the ignition in this giant sartorial explosion: we've got a basket weave jacket, a froufrou jacket closure, and a skirt that's both wrapped and too long.  I have no idea where to look first.  My head hurts.

Biggest Costume

Princess Claire

 I want to like this.  I'd like more princesses to channel a little fifties glamour every now and then.  She supported a young Belgian designer, Bernard Depoorter.  But...no.  I'm sure there is a woman that can pull this off at a day event without looking like she's on her way to a fancy dress party, but it's not Claire.

Best Close Call

Princess Mathilde at the Military Parade

This comes so close to being fabulous.  I like the orange on her and as far as NATAN goes, it's a pretty good fit.  And I love a giant hat. But she took it just a step too far - why the orange shoes?  You can just dip into the citrus cocktail, you don't have to jump in feet first.

Biggest Contrast

Princess Mathilde visiting a Food Stand

Looks like Mathilde just ran out of steam for her third outfit of the day (outfit 2 above, outfit 1 below).  This is...normal.  I guess that's what you get when you attempt to pull a sartorial hat trick.

Best Dressed

Princess Astrid

Uniforms: appropriate for the time of day, appropriate amount of costume.  It's a no fail solution. 

Worst Dressed

Princess Mathilde at the Te Deum Service

Mathilde has attended this event many a time in the past, so I'm not sure how she got so mixed up about the time.   It's not an evening event, yet this is what she wore.  That's an evening dress (sleeveless at the Te Deum! Scandal!), and a bad one at that.   This NATAN creation puts the waist of the dress right where no woman wants it and then has the audacity to add bulk with that strange black band.   The hair's evening wear too - there's no need to be that intricate during the day - and that hair ornament (can you call it a fascinator? I'm not sure you can) feels like something Spain's Princess Elena might wear with one of her olé! ensembles.  And then there's the shoes and the bag which is beige which makes no sense....I'm truly confused.   Mathilde's the only one that changed between the Te Deum and the military parade.  She just should have stuck with the orange number.

Photos:  Belga