Year in Review: 2013's Honorable Mentions (...and Some Worsts)

We tackled the bests from the roster of royal women usually featured here, but they weren't the only ones accomplishing feats of sartorial splendor in 2013. Today's honorable mentions are for the stand outs among the rest of the royal crew! Excellent looks, plain and simple, left to right:

• Princess Charlene is trying, bless her heart, and she seems to know that purple and jewels are the quickest way to my heart. She simply killed it with this appearance.
• Speaking of killing it, the Countess of Wessex had an amazing year. Take your pick - this red number was just one of several bests.
• Princess Marie's sleek take on a Little Red Dress also needs to join my best list.
• I can't always pinpoint what I love about an appearance, and Princess Caroline's simple black dress is one such situation. Maybe it's the slightly longer necklace? Whatever it is, I thought she looked absolutely tremendous here.
• It wouldn't be a favorites list for me if it didn't include some Elie Saab, so Princess Madeleine's pre-wedding sparkles will cover me quite nicely there.
• Likewise, I require a dose of the couture mastery of Sheikha Mozah, so we'll go with this Valentino in the Netherlands.
• Plus, the Duchess of Cornwall got to make her big foreign royal event debut. I really enjoyed seeing her out and about this year, more and more regal and ready to step up when the time comes.

And just a few sentimental favorites, because it isn't all about the fashion...even here.

• Queen-to-Princess Beatrix was full of win this year, particularly the strong front she formed with Princess Mabel as they said goodbye to Prince Friso. On a more superficial note, the fact that she added an extra row of pearls to her big pearl tiara for the first time in a long time on her final night as queen wins all the things.
• The return of Crown Princess Masako to the international royal stage was completely lovely, and I hope we'll see more of her to come.
• WEE ESTELLE is my spirit animal. That is all.

And...The Worsts

Wouldn't be a proper year end wrap up without one last glimpse back at what made us cringe this year, would it? And then we never have to think about them again. Until one of these women decides to haunt us with a reappearance, that is.

• Princess Märtha Louise set the standard for the worst list early in the year in this number.
• Queen Máxima did a particularly bad thing with an ill-fitting dress and some black stockings recently, but for me, this Valentino (which she is the third royal to wear) is the year's true crime. It's the one time a tiara actually made things worse.
• Crown Princess Mary also wore the H&M mullet dress sported by Crown Princess Mette-Marit, but the addition of heavy black tights, SHOOTIES, and a jacket is such a peculiar look. She's managed to be both blergh and baffling, all at once.
• Princess Charlene at Princess Madeleine's wedding looks less a mess than the rest of those in this row, that is true - but. But. This one makes me sad. It's not just that she didn't wear a tiara to a tiara event, it's that this dress really could have used a tiara. Something, anything, to liven up this drab color which felt like a thud on the red carpet of a summer royal wedding.

Who makes your list of honorable mentions and worsts this year?

Photos: Getty Images/PA/Scanpix/Kungahuset/ANP

Random Royal Appreciation: Prince George’s Christening

The long awaited christening of Prince George of Cambridge was held yesterday at the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace. It was a subdued affair, with only a handful of royals (the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, and the Cambridges) and a few guests including George’s seven godparents (Zara Tindall, the only one from the royal family, plus Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, William van Cutsem, Earl Grosvenor, Oliver Baker, Julia Samuel, and Emilia Jardine-Paterson).

Video: The family arrives

George sported the coveted family christening gown, a replica of the one dating from Queen Victoria’s days which was used by some 60 royal babies including William and Charles; the replica was made by the Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, a few years back when the original became too fragile to use. Little George didn’t care much, as is his baby prerogative, and neither did anyone else struggling to get past THOSE CHEEKS. Reviews were pretty unanimous:

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Alexander McQueen – no surprise there – in cream and ruffles to match her son. Her outfit is bespoke (no surprise there either) but has some similarities to existing McQueen pieces. She finished the outfit off with a Jane Taylor hat.

The Queen wore a simple sky blue ensemble (plus a brooch, naturally, and you can read more about her choice at the Jewel Vault) and the Duchess of Cornwall went for texture in her cream bouclé coat.

Video: Departures from the chapel, with other guests (including the Middletons and a chic Zara Tindall) towards the end

Elegance all around, right? Both duchesses look fab – this could end up being Kate’s best of the year for me – and the Queen’s uniform is her uniform precisely because it is always right. Not a dubious choice in the bunch. Well played, Windsors.

A few links, in case you just can't get enough:

• Pictures galore at the Daily Mail.
• Article and more from the BBC.
• Picture special from the BBC.
• Article and gallery from the Mirror.
• UPDATE: Official pictures are in! Click here for the set and an article from the Express.

P.S.: Our regular Tiara Thursday feature will come tomorrow.

Photos: The Times/The Daily Telegraph/PA Wire

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: October 15-21

An Honorable Mention, For Starters...

The Duke of Cambridge

Video: Prince William carries out an investiture

Since Harry in uniform won the top spot a couple weeks ago, it only seems fair to offer the same to his big brother. Here's Wills looking dashing in uniform while taking a step forward in the world of senior royaldom by performing his first investiture on behalf of the Queen. (And of course his lovely wife was back in the game - see what I did there, lolz - this week as well, in repeated casual mode.)

Best in Hat

Queen Máxima

Left to Right: Mathilde continuing her visits around the country with the King; Máxima opening all kinds of stuff, really

Máx may have stuck to gray, but at least there were no visors. Also, she hilariously repeated her outfit from the Luxembourg wedding of 2012 just as we took a look back at her royal wedding guest appearances - minus the giant feather hat this time, though, because one doesn't have time to check ceiling heights and such for everyday use.

Best in Non-Hat

Princess Letizia

L to R: Mathilde at an AIDS and HIV event, at a fashion event, a concert, and an audience; Letizia in Totana and at an audience at Zarzuela; Victoria at a prize ceremony

Mathilde continued her foray into Belgian design variety with an outfit for her fashion event from Ann Demeulemeester, thankfully stopping short of the full runway version, and Victoria went for sparkle, but Letizia's simple black skirt and leopard blouse are winning this as far as I'm concerned. She looks good.

And a Final Honorable Mention to...

Princess Estelle

Princess Estelle attended a tennis tournament

And her parents were with her, I guess (details, details). Estelle! Automatic jumpy claps. You'll want to click here to see her big arrival, shaking hands, being awesome, etc.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Belga/Wort/ANP/PPE/DutchPhotoPress/VTM/Getty Images/Best Image/World Children's Prize Foundation

Royal Fashion Awards: The Swedish Jubilee

Carl XVI Gustaf became king on September 15, 1973, on the death of his grandfather. And now, 40 years later, the royal family's been celebrating. The weekend may not have had the pomp of last year's British jubilee or the sparkle of last year's Danish jubilee, but it had dancing in the streets and Princess Estelle, so it's a fair competition.

Best in Exhibits

Princess Christina

Left to right: Princess Madeleine, Prince Carl Philip, Prince Daniel, Crown Princess Victoria, Queen Silvia, King Carl Gustaf, Princess Christina

The family all got together first for the opening of an exhibit on the King's reign. His sister Princess Christina did the actual opening, including what I gather was a lovely and touching speech. For that, and for her divinely simple black and white, she wins.

Best in Dinners

Princess Madeleine

Moving up on the fancy scale, there was a dinner and a concert, where the gents were dashing in black tie, Victoria carried on her aunt's black and white legacy, the Queen managed to sneak in some diamond love, and Madeleine glowed (this time, with husband Chris in tow). She wins on those mega green earrings alone.

Best in Te Deums

Queen Silvia

A Te Deum was held - because what's a big royal happening without one of those crazy happenings? - and sadly it was the cause of a few unfortunate shoe choices. By default, I think the Queen has to take this one. (You will note also that all are wearing their new Jubilee medals.)

Best in Te Deums - Guests in Hats Division

Queen Sonja

L to R: Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark, Queen Sonja and King Harald of Norway, Princess Christina and her husband Tord Magnuson

The King's sisters were present, and Princess Christina made up for her sisters' bare heads by sporting...I don't know, but I think you could wash a car with it. Fellow Scandinavian heads of state were also in the house, and I've decided that Queen Margrethe is determined for that outfit to witness all the important royal happenings in this decade (it's already seen her own 70th birthday, the christening of her grand twins, and William and Kate's wedding - and more). That leaves us with Queen Sonja, in a delightfully understated turn.

Best in Parties

These Things That Happened

Stockholm partied after all that, and the awwws came out to play. The King and Queen got all lovey-dovey and danced (you need to see that on video, do you not? You do, so click here). And then my favorite little Swedish bucket of sass made an appearance, dancing on tables, wearing her own wee Jubilee medal (it's under her coat), and hanging out with uncle Carl Philip plus aunt Madeleine's dog, Zorro. A baby, a prince, and a dog: if you can't find something to cheer your Monday in that mix...well, you should get that checked. (Do you need to see this one in action too? I THINK YOU DO. Click here for a whole clip o' Estelle goodness.) And a special nod overall to Prince Daniel, who was celebrating his 40th birthday - yes, he was born on the very same day his future father-in-law took the throne, how's that for a coincidence? (And he shares his birthday with both Princess Letizia and Prince Harry, oddly enough.)

Which outfit is your favorite?

Photos: Getty Images/Kungahuset/Expressen/Scanpix

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: August 11-17, Plus Your Convertible Tiara Winner!

Best in Back to School

Princess Isabella

Video: Princess Isabella poses with her parents before heading to her first day of school

It is always a good week when Isabella's involved, giving her little interview and sporting matching bracelets with mom. (Loving what Mary's wearing, too - loved that Isabel Marant blouse since Jennifer Aniston sported it a while back!)

Best in Birthday

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Video: Click here for a full video of the outdoor church service celebrating Mette-Marit's 40th birthday

Haakon celebrated his 40th, now it's Mette-Marit's turn - and she did it in a very Mette-Marit way, with an outdoor church service. Wellies for everybody!

Best in Baby

Prince George

Video: Pictures of Prince George of Cambridge are released

Slightly more current news: George! Prince William's been talking about him (click here for his CNN interview), and his first pictures have been released, and that's the story of this week so far because babies will do that to you.

Who was your favorite last week?

P.S.: In sadder news last week, Prince Friso was laid to rest. Click here for a video report from the BBC. We will not cover this event here, for reasons I hope you can understand.


Next up: the winner of your convertible tiara competition...

The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara!

You might say this is the most famous case of multiple tiara personalities out there? A worthy addition to the collection, to be sure. Pearls, emeralds, or neither, your choice. 

Your runners up, an interesting mix of popular pieces and those that aren't that popular but sure can change it up:

2. The Connaught Tiara

3. Queen Fabiola's Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara

4. The Poltimore Tiara

5. Queen Margherita's Musy Tiara

And here are all your winners so far:

Stay tuned for your next vote!

Photos: NRK/British Monarchy/Corbis/Getty Images

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: August 4-10, Plus Your Diamond Nature Motif Winner!

Best in Business

Crown Princess Mary

Video: At CIFF

Mary was back in action last week for one of her standard royal engagements: opening the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair. She kept it summery in Signe Bøgelund-Jensen (above), and later in Baum und Pferdgarten.

Best in Vacation/Work

The Spanish Royal Family

Video: The Spanish royals host a dinner

In other flowy clothing news, down in Palma de Mallorca, the Spanish holiday continues on. They even got in a little more family photo call action:

Who was your best dressed last week?

And now it's time for the winner of your latest tiara competition. (By the way, this little game will wrap up by the end of the year - that's why we're not voting on 27 different kinds of floral tiaras separately, or however you'd rather it be done.)

The Floral Aigrette Tiara!

An excellent choice. As Queen Margrethe has shown us time and again, this is an incredibly flexible piece: wear it on the frame, off the frame, with one, two, or three parts. You can even get more of a wreath/leafy feel if you omit the central section. Useful and beautiful, a winning combo.

And your runners up, none of which came anywhere near competing with the winner:

2. The Strathmore Rose Tiara, always a favorite.

3. The Diamond Daisy Tiara, a petite option.
4. The Strawberry Leaf Tiara, another close-but-not-enough try for a Prince Albert design.
5. The Faberge Cyclamen Tiara, something that's always struck me as more of a museum piece, probably because I haven't seen it in use.

And here's the full collection so far:

The Floral Aigrette joins the floral Braganza, the Danish Ruby wreath, the Persian Turquoise laurel wreaths, and the garlands of the Hesse Aquamarine in bringing touches of nature motifs to the party.

Photos: BT/Getty Images/Corbis

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: July 28-August 3, Plus Your Amethyst and Turquoise Winners!

Best in Regulars

Queen Mathilde attends a memorial service marking the 20 year anniversary of the death of King Baudouin; Princess Letizia and the Spanish royal family pose while starting their vacation

I suppose I like Mathilde's hat, but I'm not sure her hat likes her - it attempted to flee the scene of the memorial. And as for Letizia...infantas! That is all.

And an Honorable Mention to...

Princess Charlene attends the Red Cross Ball

Yes, that's right: color and a pair of earrings = news!

Who was your best dressed last week?

And now it is time for the latest additions to your ultimate tiara collection, the winners of your amethyst and turquoise competitions...

Queen Mary's Amethyst Tiara and The Persian Turquoise Tiara!

I thought perhaps we'd have another Swedish winner, maybe a German member of the club, but nope: add another two British tiaras to the pile, please. Neither of these two have been featured in depth, so you leave me no choice - NO CHOICE - but to declare this a Tiara Week. Features coming at you tomorrow and Thursday. Sacrifices, sacrifices...if only you could hear the dramatic sighs I'm putting on for you right now.

Mary's won the contest handily, but Margaret's just squeaked by. Here are your runners up:

2. Queen Josephine's Amethyst Tiara.

3. The Cartier Amethyst Tiara, or the Not-Alexandra Tiara, as I've come to call it - it is, in fact, a Cartier piece in a museum in Italy.

4. The Amethyst Necklace Tiara.

5. The Bedford/Tavistock Amethyst Tiara.

2. The Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Turquoise Tiara.

3. Queen Olga's Russian Turquoise Tiara.

4. The Teck Turquoise Tiara.

5. The Ogilvy Tiara, in its turquoise version.

Photos: Getty Images/Scanpix/Munn/Corbis

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: July 21-27, a Programming Note, and Your Sapphire Winner!

Best in Cute, Large Group Division

The Danish Royal Family

Video: Queen Margrethe and family, Queen Anne-Marie, and Princess Benedikte with two of her children and their families pose for the annual photo call

Family photo call time of year is just what the doctor ordered to treat a Baby Cambridge hangover, especially when the Danes bring such a large group out to play!

Best in Cute, Matchy Division

The Belgian Royal Family

King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and their children at the family's holiday photo call. Click here for video from RTL.

The Cambridges aren't the only ones that can do blue, no sir. The Belgians retreated from the abdication spotlight to frolic in France, and Mathilde proved once again that shoes aren't the only thing she believes in matching.

Best of the Rest

Princess Letizia and Queen Mathilde

Letizia at a journalism awards ceremony and at a meeting of the Instituto Cervantes, Mathilde at an audience

A few people were still out and about doing their royal thing this week, and this was the best of it (omitting anything to do with anything sad because...well, because). Letizia's two fresh summer looks win it for me.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Programming Note: Despite all the action of last week, we really are entering a slow time of the year for royal watching as many of our families are heading out on their summer breaks. This means two things for us. First, we'll mainly be kicking the week off with Tuesday posts, barring big events. Second, I decided we'd compensate for the lack of official happenings by amping up our tiara games. For the month of August, you'll be voting on a new member of your ultimate tiara collection each Friday. You'll get the results quicker too (so, as you may have noticed with the sapphires, you have a little less time to get those votes in).


And on that note, the winner of your sapphire contest is...

The Dutch Sapphire Tiara!

Máx the Magnificent and her stunning inauguration appearance earlier this year sealed the deal for this sapphire beauty in a big way. Many of you remarked that you'd "seen" the tiara for the first time on the new Queen Máxima, and I couldn't agree more - she showed us what it really can do (not to mention showed us that it truly is a sapphire tiara, something you may have doubted seeing it on Queen Beatrix). There is a smaller diamond tiara that uses some of the stones, and the rest of what we consider to be the accompanying parure also includes the converted Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara, another favorite of mine.

Your runners up:

2. The Leuchtenberg Sapphire Tiara. Queen Silvia and her fan favorite were no match for the recent impression left by Maxima, I'm afraid. Maybe next time, Sil.
3. Queen Marie-Amélie's Sapphire, Diamond, and Pearl Tiara. Here's what I found interesting in this vote: another gem edged itself in. With the exception of the Cameo which made your runners up list in the pearl vote, you've primarily stuck to diamonds only to accent our stone of choice. I guess pearls and sapphires really are a match made in tiara heaven.
4. Queen Victoria's Sapphire Coronet. Poor Prince Albert, once again less than victorious.
5. The Portland Sapphire Tiara. And that's two for the pearls. This was my pick when I did my ultimate tiara collection, but that was before the big Dutch show. Maybe I'd have to reconsider now.

And here's the whole lot of winners, so far:

Lovely. This sapphire one adds a different Gothic-y design touch, and I like it.

Next vote coming at you on Friday as promised!

Photos: RTL/Getty Images/Casa Real/Nieuwsblad

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: July 15-20, and a Bonus of Cute

Best in Cute

Prince George of Cambridge

Video: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the hospital with their bundle of joy

Obviously this is outside of our date range, happening yesterday. Whatever. BABIES, amirite?! You could just pick him up and squeeze him. (But don't, because police.) They were one adorable, happy family in blue. Kate's bespoke Jenny Packham was great {insert your own required Diana polka dot comparison here}, but the warm fuzzies were better.

I do love any occasion that lets the headline writers run wild.

UPDATE: The baby's name is George Alexander Louis. Anybody guess right? (I certainly didn't!)

Best in Other Cute Things

The A-Team, ESTELLE, and Puppies

Left to right: the Dutch royal family poses for their annual family photoshoot, Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle meet scholarship winners, and the Norwegian crown princely family pose with their new puppies

Too. Much. Cute. This should hold us over for a while (it won't, though, because we're not reasonable like that).

Compared to all that, the rest of the week was kinda boring. Haakon tried to liven things up by parachuting into his 40th birthday music festival (because who just has a plain old party, come on).

This party caused a bit of a stir, I guess. First, there was fuss over increased police cost, then it emerged that the guests had been asked to contribute to the costs of the party. All this with a background of fuss over Mette-Marit accepting designer clothes and such for free. But on it went. Click here for a long video, and here for a picture gallery. There were some other royals there too.

Best of the Rest
Princess Letizia, Princess Mathilde, Crown Princess Mary

Princess Letizia attending a naval graduation and audiences; Princess Mathilde (this all happened pre-abdication, pre-Queen Mathilde) at a luncheon and other engagements

Here's a highlight of the rest, the actual business sort of events. But frankly, as far as this post is concerned, if you can't give me at least a puppy you get a meh.

Video: Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik attend a ballet

I suppose Mary and Frederik are my favorites. Fred, really. You gotta respect a man whose sartorial dictionary doesn't include the word blergh.

Who's your favorite?

Photos: The Sun/Getty Images/Abaca/Kongehuset

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

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: July 7-14

Best in Normal

Pretty Much Everyone

A partial selection of engagements for Letizia, Máxima, and Mathilde

Letizia's pink dress is one of my favorites, and I also liked Máxima's orange dress (with brooch!) worn for an informal visit to Windsor Castle. But in all honesty, it was a pretty slow week. Things are slowing down on the whole, as they tend to do in the summer.

The Countess of Wessex at the Coronation Festival Gala

And I suppose it's too much to ask them all to kill a muppet just for our amusement. (Click here for more Windsors at the Coronation Festival.)

Best in Birthdays

Crown Princess Victoria

So thank heavens for Estelle! She came out to celebrate her mother's birthday, which is really a birthday present for us all. And the rest of the family was there too, I suppose.

And an Honorable Mention to...

A Sharing Family

The Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg paid a visit to New York, and once again the family shared clothes (hat tip to Luxarazzi for the spot) with Stéphanie wearing an evening gown previously worn by her mother-in-law. Who wore it best?

Who was your best dressed last week?

 
Photos: Getty Images/PA/ANP/WPA Pool/Abaca/Aftonbladet/MECE/Cour grand-ducale

Royal Fashion Awards: Trooping the Colour 2013

The Queen celebrated her official birthday this weekend, participating as she always does with the rest of the royal family at Trooping the Colour, her official birthday parade.

Video: Trooping the Colour summary

Though a larger selection of the royal family was out on the Buckingham Palace balcony earlier, a slightly smaller group came out to view the flypast as they always do, and that's the group we're checking in with today...

Best in Birthday Girls

The Queen

I do love a strong blue, and this is a perfect background for her complex brooch (details over at the Jewel Vault). She was the clear standout on the balcony, and she wins all the things.

Best in Ladies

...A Tie?

Left to Right: The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, the Duchess of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Windsor

Though there were royal ladies dressed in stronger colors there, the only ones that popped out alongside the Queen were dressed in a terribly pale palette, Princess Anne's festive uniform excepted. ("You, in the polka dots, don't even think about it. Is that red? Are you kidding me?" - Her Maj. Or not.) Despite the love of baby pink that has swept me away the past few weeks, I'm feeling quite lackluster about this bunch. Everyone's pretty standard, right down to Bea and Eug's misses. I'll call it a tie...six of one, half a dozen of the other. 

Best in Gents

The Duke of Kent and Viscount Severn

L to R: The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke of York, Tim Laurence, the Earl of Wessex, Viscount Severn, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent

We have two subcategories here, I suppose: uniform and non-uniform. Uniform, it's got to go to the Duke of Kent (sorry, Harry), who took the place of the hospitalized Duke of Edinburgh at the Queen's side. The Duke had his own health issues earlier this year - a mild stroke in March, meaning it was best for him to sit by her instead of riding as he usually does anyway - and it was good to see him in a featured spot. Non-uniform, it has to be James, a.k.a. Viscount Severn, the son of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. I know some of you have been waiting for him to be included at these royal events, and here he is! (Bonus points for inventive binocular use. He can see you.)

Who was your Trooping best dressed?

Photos: AP/Getty Images/PacificCoastNews

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: June 2-8

Best in Non-Wedding

Queen Máxima

A two day visit to Germany and an engagement back home

Almost everyone was pretty low key last week, ahead of the wedding in Sweden. Not a lot of sartorial news to report from most of our regulars (Letizia made a rousing return to her trouser-ed ways, newsflash!), except for one: couldn't be anyone but Queen Máx. She didn't come to the wedding (and I missed her pizzazz, I really did), but she gave us a week of hats + gloves + day jewels + glam sunglasses, and I'll take it.

Best of the Week

Princess Estelle and Her Handlers

Victoria, Daniel, and Estelle opening the Royal Palace at the start of National Day and then celebrating with the rest of the royal family, including a new portrait of Estelle

Sweden stole the wedding show and the rest of the week, and you know I'm talking about Estelle. Come on. First she gets a baby sash, and then she gets a baby national costume and all the best dates and a WEE BOW?! But never fear: others were putting on a show of their own, including an affectionate bridal couple (click here for a full gallery of National Day fun), and Victoria in a great white dress (check out her necklace!), which was not even her only good wedding week appearance and a precursor to her fabulous wedding frock. Go on, Sweden.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Getty Images/PPE/Aftonbladet/Kungahuset/K.Gabor/Scanpix