Get all about information and news worlds. Royal-Hollywood Fashion, Belgium British Danish Denmark Dutch Monaco Netherlands Norway Spain Sweden Royal Fashion, fashion dresses.
It's finally time for the wedding festivities for Prince Félix of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher! The pair were married in a small civil ceremony yesterday at Villa Rothschild Kempinski in Königstein im Taunus, in Claire's home country of Germany.
The bride chose Dutch designer Jan Taminiau, best known to us for his work with Queen Máxima (and who had quite a day yesterday, as Máxima also wore a Taminiau creation to Prinsjesdag). That came as a big surprise to me, but a surprise in a very good way, as I think this really works for the happy bride. I see a touch of his caped creation from the Dutch inauguration in the lift on the cap sleeves of Claire's peplum top, which is cinched with a belt and accentuated with a slim knee-length skirt below. Peplums can be a bit dodgy, but I think they work particularly well on the vertically blessed among us (you tall people), such as our newest princess here. The wool crepe outfit includes lace on the top, a detail which I'm finding lost in most of the images but must have added some nice texture in person. She carried a white bouquet and accessorized with aquamarine earrings and nude shoes with bows. The groom stood out in an orange tie which pays tribute to his Nassau roots.
The rest of the immediate Luxembourg family was on hand: the Grand Duchess was in Natan (of course) which was sorta shiny (of course of course), the Hereditary Grand Duchess chose pink Prada with a tiered detail on the skirt, Princess Tessy wore a simple aqua-ish sleeveless dress from Lynn Adler, and Princess Alexandra donned a darker pink Prada with a stripe detail at the bottom. (Designer details via Luxarazzi, which will take care of all the Lux needs you never knew you had and which obviously has much, much more on this happy event.)
Video: Outside the wedding
And when all was said and done, they climbed into possibly the world's smallest motor vehicle and puttered off to live happily ever after. Or they will, eventually, but they're not done getting married yet: the religious ceremony is this weekend in France. It promises to be a bigger affair than this close family only civil wedding, but not the huge event we saw last year when the Hereditary Grand Duke married.
Hello again, lovelies. It's that glorious time of year when the deadly slow month of August is over and our royals have returned to the fashion playing field! Rejoice. A hodgepodge of some of what we've missed:
Best in Brights
Princess Letizia
Mary and Victoria at separate awards ceremonies; Letizia with Felipe in Argentina for the IOC meeting; Mathilde and Philippe in Leuven and at the Hanswijk Cavalcade; Máxima on an engagement with Willem-Alexander and at a university
Yes, I think you truly know summer is over when the Natan twins return to greet you with their dueling Slimer green ensembles. Elsewhere, Victoria keeps trying with that statement necklace but isn't quite there yet, and Letizia made a valiant attempt to win the 2020 Olympics for Madrid by the sheer power of lookin' good - didn't work for her (Tokyo won the Games), but it works for me.
Best in Casual
The Duchess of Cambridge
Video: Kate and William on an engagement in Anglesey
Not so much a sartorial thing, but here you go anyway.
Best in Black and White
Crown Princess Mary
Mette-Marit opening a sculpture park; Mary in Morocco; Letizia in Argentina
Mary's been busy, squeezing another trip in, but I can't concentrate on anything but this skirt right here. I need it, you see. NEED. Alas, it isn't a new one, but an older model from By Malene Birger. Sigh. Mette-Marit looked ab fab, but not even the power of a well placed puppy can distract me.
And an Honorable Mention to...
Princess Madeleine
At a memorial service for Princess Lilian
Jumpy claps to Madeleine, who has recently announced that she and her new husband are expecting a baby! Maternity wear ahoy.
Inevitable that these would make the cut at some point, really. As for your runners up, let's have a moment of silence for Poor Polty - it took the #2 spot in both categories, but even combining its votes, it wouldn't have pulled out a win. The remainder were all over the place.
Here's the full thing so far:
That's the end of the August voting extravaganza (as stated previously, just something to do while we're summer bored). The next one will be at the end of September.
Video: Mary participates in the Free from Bullying Race
Oh, I do enjoy a bit of Casual Mary.
Best in Day (Regular)
Crown Princess Victoria
Letizia welcomes Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan to Spain with the rest of the family; Victoria at a conference and holding an audience; Mette-Marit on an engagement with Queen Sonja
Letizia in brights and Mette-Marit in something that matches are always bonuses, but these simple dresses suit Victoria so perfectly, I'm willing to overlook the aggressively matching blue shoes (pet peeve alert).
Best in Day (Fancy)
Queen Máxima
Máxima making more province visits; Catherine naming a ship
Big hats and big jewels always win. That's just the way it is. (Proper big hats, though, not the ones just attempting to set records for fabric yardage piled on one hat, to be clear.)
Best in Evening
Princess Letizia
Mary at the opening of the House of Foreign Industry; Letizia at a concert and dinner for Naruhito; Mathilde at the opera
I really didn't like Letizia's gown when she wore it at Victoria's wedding back in 2010 - and yet, suddenly, I'm charmed. Why, hmm? Better hair now, a softer look? Maybe I just appreciate a little Swedish wedding throwback after we missed her at Madeleine's party.
Crown Princess Mary and Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Attending the Women Deliver 2013 Conference and associated events in Malaysia
Trips for causes near and dear and a bonus appearance by Princess Mabel! So, that's all good. The wardrobe here fits the bill, as this is not a big state visit or anything of that nature.
Best Trend
Queen Máxima
Beginning tours of all Dutch provinces with the King, opening the Fioretti College, at a symposium, and opening the Holland Festival
Yes, I think we're officially seeing a trend to the new Queen Máx: more instances of neat hair, more hats (and not-hats, I guess). If we can just get the trends to sort out the sadly fitting orange trousers...
Best of the Rest
Princess Mathilde, Princess Letizia, Crown Princess Victoria
Mathilde at a reception for the Antartic Treaty Consultative Meeting and at a lunch for jury members for the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition; Letizia at the theater in Barcelona and at Armed Forces Day; Victoria presenting the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, meeting the President of Indonesia with the rest of the royal family, and at a conference
I think we have a little something for everyone here, don't we? These are just the highlights. I'm liking Mathilde's second try at the bright green, this time happily without the matching shoes, and her repeat of that chic white dress (she also had a cheery floral going on elsewhere, which was delightful). Letizia's touch of sparkle (here and at a dinner for the President of Uruguay) and her prim suit were lovely, though the Barcelona appearance is notable because the couple got booed both inside and outside the theater. Unfortunate, but probably not all that surprising given the current climate - click here for video. And Victoria's ladylike beige-y pink continues my current love of the pale shades on her. (I'll throw an extra honorable mention to Queen Silvia at the same event, with a fresh take on a floral jacket.)
And an Honorable Mention to...
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
At the races this weekend, Eugenie indulged my weakness for a full skirt and Beatrice rocked a bold print. I'll pass on the hat - which is not from the back of the late Queen Mum's closet, believe it or not - but I'll take the rest. Princess Haya was also looking very glam, click here for more.
Royal trips a-go-go! Seems like everybody's traveling everywhere lately, and I love it. Trip wardrobes are the best, even when they're a little on the low key side. So let's check in with some of our royal wanderers, shall we?
Frederik and Mary in Chile, days 1-3
First up: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary went on an official visit to Chile. This was actually supposed to be a state visit made by Queen Margrethe, but on doctor's advice she cancelled and the crown princely couple stepped up. And as you might expect for a substitute visit, this is mainly a trip of repeats. Actually, I think the new item getting the most attention here seems to be Fred's new hairdo...and you thought the royal men didn't get enough frivolous attention.
Days 4 & 5
I think my favorite outfit might be the new dress shown above on the far left, from Elise Gug, blergh and all. And I will be forever grateful that she stopped short of a full jumpsuit with that print on the far right above. We've been there, and it wasn't pretty.
Elsewhere, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene made an official visit to Palau.
Video: in Palau
Seems to have been a pretty short and casual island-appropriate trip, as you might expect.
The Windsors are out and about too, starting with the Earl and Countess of Wessex in the Czech Republic to present Duke of Edinburgh Award certificates as well as other engagements.
These were my two favorite Sophie outfits from the trip: Sophie does McQueen, and more Roland Mouret. I'm not entirely sold on the head-to-toe cream, but the continual Benjamin Button-esque evolution of Sophie's style gets two thumbs up from me. And I think we always need more Roland Mouret.
Speaking of things we need more of, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall started a trip to the Middle East in Jordan with a visit to King Abdullah and Queen Rania, wearing Antonio Berardi. We could use more Berardi on the royal scene, I say. Good match for Kate or Beatrice maybe (or, hey, Sophie while we're at it).
Video: Charles and Camilla's official welcome in Jordan
They're on a multi-country tour which also includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. And it's been your basic Charles and Camilla show, you know, no real surprises or outliers in the fashion realm as far as I'm concerned. I will say this: the Qatar leg was disappointingly low on sightings of my girl crush, Sheikha Mozah - only one meeting with Charles, I think. And I will also say this: I can't wait for the release of this year's royal gift list. Will Cams pick up another ruby breastplate? The suspense is killing me.
Seriously, please, I'm begging you. Don't say it, that word, the one everyone has to use when talking about our friend Kate these days. My former pet peeve with the b-word (you know, that one that starts with a b and ends with a p) has blossomed into...whatever's bigger than a pet peeve. A farm animal peeve. I don't like talking about people's stomachs, but I do like this wrap dress.
Best in Fancy
Princess Letizia
Attending a cultural awards ceremony
My my, aren't we looking fancy with our little beading and whatnot?
Best in Purse
Crown Princess Mary
Attending events for a conference on global inequality
Purple Prada alert! Best thing about the week.
Best in Hats
Princess Mathilde and the Belgian Royal Family
Attending the annual mass to remember deceased family members
Well done on your anti-fascinator turnout, Belgian royals. It's been quite some time since we've seen this many legit hats in one royal gathering, no?
Best in Institutions
Crown Princess Victoria
At a palace reception
It should just be a basic shift dress, one of those can't-go-wrong pieces...and yet I'm detecting a flair of institutional nurse, circa 1948.
And an Honorable Mention to...
Princess Estelle
Somebody turned the big 0-1 this week! Expressive as ever, Estelle's cuteness is multiplied because she is wearing the same dress her mother wore to celebrate her first birthday. Double awwws.
Kind of a boring week last week - but as long as there's some statement jewelry involved, we shall survive...
Best in Business
Princess Letizia
Attending a forum on World Cancer Day (with and without jacket); at a working meeting for the Spanish Federation for Rare Diseases
A very business-like week, a very business-like wardrobe. Sometimes it all fits together.
Best in Layers
Crown Princess Mary
Handing out an award on World Cancer Day (with and without coat)
And how does our anti-peplum crowd feel about this little number - subtle at the waist, with layers echoed in the skirt too?
Best in Print
Princess Mathilde
Attending the premiere of the film "Kinshasa Kids"
A film premiere, a fun print and some leather. Sounds about right.
Best Use of Jewelry
Crown Princess Victoria
Presenting the "Gay of the Year" award
I am on record as being all in for a statement necklace, and I'm gonna have to give this a standing ovation - the highlighter yellow is exactly the right amount of fun! I'd actually have left the little hair flowers at home (I doubt they're real, and the necklace and earrings need to stand on their own), but she gets extra points for making this surprise appearance.
Attending the Men's Handball World Championships in Barcelona, at a conference, attending Malene Birger's 10th anniversary fashion show with Princess Marie, opening the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair
From hot (at the Malene Birger show) to not (at the fashion fair), and so quickly too. The SHOOTIES claim another victim.
Best in Business as Usual
Princess Máxima
Visiting the Royal Navy, visiting a probation workshop,at a conference, celebrating Queen Beatrix's 75th birthday
Nothing particularly special, despite the week's big news. I prefer the houndstooth number - oh, I do love me some houndstooth - except whatever that is at her waist. Modern coat art.
Best in Floral
Crown Princess Victoria
At a memorial ceremony for International Holocaust Day, attending an official dinner at the palace to start celebrations for King Carl Gustaf's 40th year on the throne
A festive start to Carl Gustaf's jubilee year! Here's hoping there will be some sparkle of some sort (any sort, we can't be picky these days) to come.
Sorry for the radio silence yesterday - thanks to those that emailed, I assure you I'm not dead. (Yet.) I am however in a bit of a post-holiday daze accented by cold medicine, so if I make even less sense than usual, there you go. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. So let's have a big ol' update to get us up to speed, shall we? It's a week in review and a wee trip report and a touch of a tiara watch, all in one package.
Best in Team Spirit
The Duchess of Cambridge
Attending the Wales v. New Zealand rugby match
Perhaps the most predictable outfit from last week, a repeat in the proper spirited color. Not spirited enough, though: Wales lost to New Zealand. Next time, bring the face paint.
Best in Kids
Princess Letizia
Audiences and a lunch in honor of the visiting President of Brazil; attending the Francisco Cerecedo Journalism Award ceremony; visiting King Juan Carlos in the hospital after his most recent surgery
Just can't resist those wee infantas.
Most Dubious Shoes
Crown Princess Mary
Celebrating a new project for her Mary Foundation
It's as though she couldn't decide if she wanted the boot effect or the shootie effect...so she went with the trousers at just the right length to catch only some of the time. Oh, Mar. There is no "best of both worlds" when shooties are involved.
Most Textured
Princess Mathilde
Visiting a boarding school; attending the European Symposium for Family Assistants
That beige top has this bumpy thing going on that I just do. not. enjoy. Needs to be a different color so as to be certain that's not her skin with the problem. Perhaps a nice chocolate, like the other outfit here.
Best in Purple
Crown Princess Victoria
Visiting Fagersta Municipality
As long as someone fits in a purple category each week, I'm good.
Tamest Trip
Princess Máxima
On an official trip to Brazil (click to enlarge)
Willem-Alexander and Máxima spent 5 days in Brazil last week. I'm sorry to report that it was just an official visit, which means it wasn't quite the sparkly hat-tacular extravaganza we get when these two roll with the Queen Bea. But! There was dancing. Obviously the bestest part.
Unfortunately, that does not excuse the fact that we missed yet another tiara appearance from Máx, as they missed welcoming the Slovakian President. Boo!
Princess Margriet (far left) is wearing the family emerald tiara in its pearl setting; Queen Beatrix (far right) is wearing Queen Emma's Diamond Tiara, which is one of her favorites
Well, this is weird: everyone seems to have decided that they didn't need to live life in living color last week. I don't know who sent out the colorless memo to the royal ladies, but they should be stopped.
Sharpest Interpretation
Princess Letizia
At the Living Awards 2012
I do like this repeated Felipe Varela outfit, even if black and white loses its sharp edge in a sea of monochrome.
Darkest Interpretation
Crown Princess Mary
Attending a gala hosted by the Danish Lung Foundation; launching the 2012 Christmas Seal
When it rains, it pours! So long we were in a tiara drought, and now the royal world is just lousy with the things. Oh, why can’t it be like this all the time…
The Danish royal family welcomed the President of Slovakia for a state visit last week, which naturally included a glittering state banquet. Crown Princess Mary wore her wedding tiara with the pearl option, along with her fabulous aquamarines. I wondered if she’d use the pearl option to showcase some of the great pearl jewels she has, and sure enough – she’s on it! I also love this older Kenth Fredin gown, which seems swishy in all the right ways.
Princess Marie showed up in one of those gowns that always seems to be fresh off the homecoming dance sale rack – though her usual diamond floral tiara does seem a tiny bit more legit than the Homecoming Queen’s. Queen Margrethe paired the Baden Palmette Tiara with what seems to be her favorite gown of the year, and Princess Benedikte wore Queen Ingrid’s Star and Spike Tiara.
Earlier they all welcomed the President at the airport, Mary and Marie in chic hats, Benedikte in a koosh ball hat, and Marge in her Teletubby topper.
On the second day of the visit, Mary made a well-coordinated appearance alongside the First Lady (in a Prada suit with a colorful Paul Smith scarf and matching accessories) before attending the return dinner with the rest of the family. And it’s here that Marie redeems herself, looking infinitely more festive than the rest of them with her little sparkles.
The Dutch were also in on the state visit action last week. Queen Beatrix welcomed the President of Italy for a low-key trip, highlighted by a state dinner where the dress code seems to have been something along the lines of “dress up, if you want, I guess…”. Beatrix wore the all-purpose Rose Cut Bandeau, and Princess Margriet went tiara-less (the horror!). Yes, this was sorely missing Princess Máxima, who was on a visit to Nigeria.
Also dodging her tiara-wearing duty last week was Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who missed the annual gala dinner for the Parliament. In her absence, Queen Sonja wore Queen Maud’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara, and Princess Astrid wore the Vasa Tiara.
And the state visit fun has just begun: the British will have their first state visit of the year later this week.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have been on an official visit to Brazil, visiting Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro this week. They are there to promote Denmark and strengthen business ties, and they have a whole delegation with them. Luckily for us, Mary also has a whole wealth of outfits for our frivolous enjoyment.
Day 1: Visiting an exhibit, the Scandinavian Church, and a reception
This is so light and fresh! And that's saying something when a coat (basically) is involved - many would have stopped at the blue Prada underneath. Makes me wish for summer, even though it's fall in my corner of the globe, and I love me some sweaters. That's my typically long-winded way of saying: I like it.
Day 2: Visiting a center for abused women, followed by a dinner in the evening
Note that her purple accents match the purple gates of the center she's visiting, and note that if you need me I'll be out buying purple paint...and a gate of some sort. (I can't believe my own humble abode isn't already guarded with purple, it's a terrible oversight on my part.) (My nonsense mutterings are just going to continue on, you've been warned.) She's dipping into the design world of Alberta Ferretti here on both accounts, and I would tell you here that I wish royal ladies would wear Ferretti more often, but that's a funny statement to make when the bronze dress has already been worn twice - are you feeling the déjà vu? Princess Beatrice wore it to the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Day 3: Visiting a hospital, an institute for the blind, and an exhibition, followed by a reception in the evening
There's a lot of furniture involved in these visits. They're forever opening a chair exhibition of some sort, or something else about Danish design. I think the sitting portion of the job is the one I'd be really good at. (Helps when you have hunky assistance when the sitting portion of the job is over.) ANYWAY...quite a contrast in outfits here: light and airy, and then sort of dark and choking.
Day 4: Visiting a youth center, a university, an exhibit opening, and an evening reception
Is it an option to have your hair done by Mary's hairdresser instead of Mary herself? Let me be clear: I'd say yes either way. Beyond that, these are two good dresses, and I continue to be intrigued by Mary's varied use of that statement white belt.
Day 5: Visiting a breastfeeding project, and then meeting with the Brazilian Olympic Committee ...........................................................................................................No.
Mary and Frederik leave Brazil today, hopefully before she has a chance to bust out any more printed jumpsuits. As you may be able to tell from my pointless non-sartorial musings in this post, I found it a serviceable if not thrilling trip from the wardrobe front (though we shall see what, if anything, else it brings before she boards the plane for home). But still, I shall ask you:
Which is your favorite Brazil outfit?
UPDATE: The remainder of the outfits from the trip...
Day 5: Dinner
MUCH better on the print front. Yes. Flowy, as close to an evening gown as you can get while remaining out of black tie territory.
Day 6: Final engagements
This has been an acceptable recovery from the first day 5 outfit. Let's all forget it ever happened...
