Royal Trip Report: The Wessexes in Canada

The Earl and Countess of Wessex have been on a working visit to Canada for the past week. Unfortunately this trip coincides with the Cambridge trip, and that means even less coverage for Edward and Sophie, but we’re here to help them out. (And by them, I mean Sophie, and some of her outfits. Because that’s how we do.)

They began in Ottawa, where Sophie took a page out of Eugenie’s style book and sported a Peter Pilotto print dress. And just as we learned when Eugenie did it, this is not going to suit the tastes of everyone – nothing with this much statement ever does – but I still applaud her for the youthful spirit. Of more general love I’m sure will be this fantastic red dress worn with a wedge that is as close to delicate as wedges come.

Next up was Nunavut, and this beige coat/dress/thing, and then Iqaluit, where she also wore beige, and then a more of a va va voom turn just to counteract the blergh in sleek black at the Toronto International Film Festival. I’m not usually one for gimmicky handbags, but I’d take that fan off her hands right quick. The extra shiny stockings are the only thing bringing me down here. Quite a fish out of water statement at something like TIFF.

On day 4 we got a royal repeat of her Jubilee outfit – and a regimental brooch, as she was presenting new colors to the Lincoln and Welland Regiment – but then she was all colored out, I guess, because it was back to beige the next day for more Ontario engagements. This one reminds me very much of Kate’s beige Malene Birger dress from one of her Canada stops last year; serviceable and princess-y, but nothing to write home about.

Sophie and Edward's trip ends today. What's your favorite outfit from Sophie on this trip to the Canadian wonderland?

Photos: Governor General/Ottawa Citizen/Nunatsiaq News/BulletNews/Facebook

Royal Fashion Awards: The London 2012 Paralympics

While I was away, the Paralympics were on. It's the super cute royal Olympics replay, complete with team spirit and cute mini royals. A few of my award-worthy royal Paralympic moments:

Best in Opening Ceremony

Princess Anne

Top row, left to right: Queen Elizabeth, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Royal (with a glimpse of Princess Alexandra of Kent and the Duchess of Gloucester). Bottom row: the Princess and Prince of Monaco, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Astrid of Belgium and her husband Archduke Lorenz

Let’s just be honest here: sartorially, the opening ceremony was a total snoozefest. The outfits were as un-pumped as some of these facial expressions. The closest things to fabulous on display were the Queen’s sassy colored earplugs. So let’s give this one to Princess Anne, if only because she’s the only one that brought interest of any sort. Exhibit A: she’s wearing what might as well be a smock, as though she’d just dashed in from her Underwater Pottery 101 class. Exhibit B: she greeted the British team with a merry wave of her official scarf, which is as close to adorable as this princess gets. Exhibit C: she continued to wear her sunglasses at night. She saw she was seated next to Boris Johnson and came prepared for discreet eye rolling, because she’s classy like that.

Best Duo

The Duchess of Cambridge and Lady Louise

More of these two together, please. That is all.

Most Enthusiastic Cheerleader

Prince Harry

L to R: Infanta Elena of Spain and her two children, Prince Harry, the Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Cambridge

Of the many royals spotted cheering on the athletes, a few stuck out for sheer enthusiasm. There was Sophie, for the doohhhhhh factor, and Kate, for the whooooo factor - as always. Elena and her kids get a mention for gamely sporting the...uh...festive Spain kit. But this one goes to Harry, for getting back out there and reminding us all that if your Vegas trip didn't include at least one thing you feel a little sheepish about, you did it wrong.

Best in Medal Presenters

Princess Michael and Princess Eugenie

Top row, L to R: the Countess of Wessex, Prince Daniel of Sweden, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl of Wessex. Bottom row: Prince Michael and Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Eugenie of York, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark

Loads of royals got to get in on the medal and bouquet bestowing fun this time around, and they mostly looked like they were working the beverage cart for Paralympic Airlines.That's why I have to give this jointly to Princesses Michael and Eugenie, simply for bucking the high flying trend. (And if they are playing flight attendant, sign me up for those journeys. Marie Christine's obviously going somewhere beachy, and Eug's flight clearly serves adult beverages. Strong ones.) (And for the record, even though I know that dress is more than many of you can swallow, I dig it. Eugenie's young, she should be taking some fashion risks, and this Peter Pilotto qualifies.)

Best in Closing Ceremony

The Earl of Wessex

The Earl of Wessex and Sir Philip Craven

The Earl of Wessex, Patron of the British Paralympic Association, really stepped it up throughout the Games. I mean, it takes a lot of gumption to rock the tartan cummerbund. But his entrance at the Closing Ceremony takes the cake. With a ride like that, there's not even any competition.

What was your favorite royal Paralympic moment?

Photos: Getty Images/AP/London 2012