Royal Outfit of the Day: January 13

Crown Princess Mary visited Myanmar for three days in connection to her work for the United Nations Population Fund and the Danish Refugee Council. Above, an outfit from the first day with floral trousers from Zara.

I found this the most interesting of Mary's outfits on this trip. These floral crops have a serious potential to go wrong, but she paired them well with a plain top for a casual look - they even seem perfect with the bare feet (everyone was shoeless at this event, by custom). A lower cost option from Zara (per Styleofmary) is an excellent choice as well, for a visit that's not about the high end fashion. Well played, I say.

For more on Mary's trip: check BT, or daily wrap ups with links on the Royally Scandinavian blog.

Photos: Keld Navntoft/BT/Styleofmary

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: November 12-19, Plus More Stuff

Best in Regular Stuff

Crown Princess Victoria

Mathilde at a couple palace events and visiting a hospital; Kate out and about at a charity; Mary at a meeting; Victoria at the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences' formal gathering, at a couple engagements and holding an audience

Call this the non-trip category - and call Victoria the winner, if only for giving us at least one evening gown, even if it is a repeat and even if it is another almost-tiara-but-not occasion.

Brightest in Trips

Queen Máxima

Yesterday we caught up with the traveling Danes and Spaniards, today we have a partial selection of the Dutch on their ongoing introductory trip to the Caribbean. Máx on a big trip is usually like catnip to me, so I'm not sure why this one's left me feeling rather meh so far. Ah, well, they're not done yet. No matter what, I remain impressed at her ability to dig up so many neon-flavored outfits.

And an Honorable Mention to...

The Hats of National Day in Monaco

Video, above

Charlene's coat is giving me Star Trek bathrobe vibes, but you have to give the Monaco crew: those were some actual hats. All hats or no hats, no fascinator shenanigans here.

And One Last Addition...

The Countess of Wessex

Video, above

So much going on right now, I nearly forgot to give Sophie her proper due for rocking her Benjamin Button fabulousness in Valentino red while celebrating Doctor Who at Buckingham Palace. Do you think if I wrote to the palace really nicely, I could get her secret for de-aging? Because I'm just getting older over here, and it's not fair.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Belga/Getty Images/VTM Nieuws/WPA Pool/Kongehuset/Scanpix/Kungahuset/TT/Lehtikuva/DutchPhotoPress/ANP/NOS

Royal Trip Report: Denmark and Spain in North America

Everybody is everywhere right now - your typical November surge in events, just before the holidays. Today's installment of Traveling with the Royals joins Mary and Frederik on a visit to Mexico and Felipe and Letizia on a visit to the United States.

When we last checked in on the Danish crown princely couple, they had just arrived for their Mexican visit and Mary was fresh and flowery in a peplum top. Picking up on day 2...

Video: Day 2

...we have another floral-type situation, plus red for the evening. It seems the theme for day 2 was belts.

Video: Day 3

And perhaps the theme for the whole trip was florals, with a darker version on day 3 that remained somewhat hidden under a sweater and coat. Whatever it was - that's it! A short, sweet, and low key trip. The Danish royal news has been occupied with other things, anyway...

A new family portrait by Thomas Kluge was revealed, and it is interesting. And by interesting, I mean a potential cover for Stephen King's next thriller about the boy prince who would stop at NOTHING to take the throne before his time {cue slasher music}. But hey, it's getting attention (as many of you have emailed me, it hit BuzzFeed and other hot spots), and, well, that's not something you can say about every royal portrait. Mission accomplished?

Also out and about are the Prince and Princess of Asturias, who have been visiting California and Florida. 

Sassy Letizia came along, too! (Hello, sparkles and hair and earrings and red shoes and red lips, all at once.)

Video: Sassy Letizia in action, also shown third from left above

But I'm boring and am partial to the flattering pale pink suit, myself.

It even goes well with Google Glass, you see.

Which trip outfit was your favorite?

P.S.: Yes, we have many more current events to handle. Stay tuned!

Photos: Thomas Kluge/Kongehuset/Getty Images/Casa Real

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: November 5-11

Best of the Week

The Benelux Queens

 

Our newest pair of sovereign couples take the cake this week, as the Belgians paid a quick (super quick) introductory visit to the Dutch. Nice and neat queens, the both of them. I half expect Máx's shoulder bow to fly off and end up as some sort of epic butt bow on an outfit to come, but still.

Most Intriguing Trip

Crown Princess Victoria

Video: Victoria and Daniel made a short visit to Britain

Here's one that improves on video, I think. Because after seeing it in action and learning that it was Stella McCartney (a little nod to diplomatic dressing there, picking a British designer), I have upgraded Victoria from "Beetlejuice in SHOOTIES" to "Intriguing". It was a surprisingly fashion-forward trip for Victoria, as she also debuted a piece from the Isabel Marant H&M collection.

Left to Right: Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant pour H&M as worn by Victoria; Máxima in Russia; Mary in Mexico

Royal trips are starting to pick up again on the whole and in addition to the Belgians, the Dutch went to Russia, and the Danes have just started a visit to Mexico (we'll have the rest of the trip next week, so hang on for that). Máxima's last two outfits in Russia were pretty great, but overshadowed by the oddness of the whole visit - it closed a year which was focused on Dutch/Russian relations but which was also filled with problems and diplomatic messes. I mean, someone tried to pelt them with rotten tomatoes while they were there! They missed, but the whole visit just seems like one best put in the past.

Best of the Rest

Princess Letizia

Letizia at a ceremony and an awards presentation; Máxima at an anniversary event, presenting a prize, and at a performance; Mathilde making another city visit; Kate promoting Poppy Day

The rest of the week was a mixed bag, and this is a far from complete round up. (Mary, for example, had a couple other appearances including a concert where her own outfit was nothing compared to her father-in-law's sartorial flair - video link.) (And there was Estelle, but she's the automatic highlight.) I'll honor Letizia's bit of sparkle, while diplomatically ignoring the jumpsuit.

Who was your best dressed last week?

P.S.: If you're interested in the Remembrance Day events in the U.K. or the Tiara Watch they had there last week, head over to the Jewel Vault!

Photos: RVD/HKH/TT/Kungahuset/Getty Images/AP/RTL/Mexico Presidency/Getty Images/DutchPhotoPress/ANP/Lesoir/WPAPool

Royal Trip Report: The Danes in Australia

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have been visiting Australia, one of their frequent trip destinations. This one had a celebratory purpose: the Sydney Opera House's 40th anniversary. Mary is Australian and the landmark was designed by a Dane, Jørn Utzon, so that all lines up neat and tidy. The birthday party was my favorite of Mary's outfits for the trip, and that's where we'll begin:

Video: The birthday celebration, including a snippet from Mary's speech

She told a cute little story (what she knew about Denmark before Frederik: Hans Christian Anderson, and the Opera House was designed by a Dane), there were fireworks, it was all good. Plus a dress with just a touch of sparkle and gold to it - nothing wrong with that.

Trip outfits

These trips always touch on Danish design and Mary certainly brought some of that with her, but she also wore a few pieces from designer Collette Dinnigan. She's worn Australian label in the past and every time she does I'm left wanting more. (The Duchess of Cambridge has worn a bit too, and I hope we see more when she and William finally make their much-anticipated trip down there).

Also - what's this?! - someone has decided to step in and wave the flag for hot Valentino shoes while Mette-Marit's gone. I approve. (The Norwegian crown princess, if you haven't heard, is on extended sick leave for a recurring neck/back issue and could be out until Christmas.)

Video: The couple visit an area touched by recent bushfires

Truthfully, though, this trip has been a pretty standard fashion run. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of non-sartorial highlights - the couple has been on proper cute form and made some touching connections. Case in point: this trip to visit an area affected by the recent bushfires, an unplanned addition to the agenda.

And one more bit of cuteness for the road. I know some of you love the moments when little girls get to meet REAL princesses, so don't miss the curtseys on display here:

Video: An engagement with the Australian Twin Registry. A mom to twins herself, Mary is patron of both the Australian and Danish Twin Registries. 

Which trip outfit is your favorite?

Photos: Getty Images/Pool/BT/Scanpix

Royal Trip Report: Everybody's Coming to America (Plus More)

All the royal peoples headed to the U.S. last week. To my great disappointment, it was not for the purpose of remaking any Eddie Murphy films. But we can look at what they wore anyway. I suppose.

We start with the obvious: HARRY. IN UNIFORM. RED (make that GINGER) ALERT.

Video: Day 1 of the Warrior Games

Harry was in D.C. and then Colorado, and there were 1) uniforms and 2) FLOTUS cuteness and 3) Olympian cuteness and 4) so, so much more. A+.

Of course, Prince Harry got the most fanfare, but we know better - other royals deserve some attention too:

Come on down, Haakon and Mette-Marit! On down to Texas, specifically, where the Norwegian crown princely couple started their tour (click here for your Haakon fix via video). Their five day tour also took them to California, where in addition to official engagements, they hit a rock concert for a Norwegian band, because why not. Mette-Marit was back on her best daytime form, I thought - simple and mostly white, with some pops of color for good measure. My favorite was the yellow Valentino with the white coat; least favorite...probably the Chanel with the long coat and pleated skirt, which she paired with some serious braids (click here for an overview with a look at some of the details, including that 'do).

Oh, and if that red Valentino coat looks familiar...see her coat for the Luxembourg wedding. Now that's bulk buying.

Paying a visit to the U.N. in New York City was Queen Máxima, who met with Ban Ki-Moon. It was the second occasion in the week (the first being a family outing to a concert) when she showed up with her hair up, which I think is some kind of record. Mark it on the calendars, kids. Her visit was pretty much an incognito one; actually, Crown Princess Mary was in New York prior to the Dutch inauguration, also an extremely quiet trip.

Queen Máx just missed another Queen in NYC - Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf started out a visit to America there, hanging out with Princess Madeleine and future son-in-law Chris O'Neill. (Silvia's Moschino jacket was previously worn by Madeleine - which allows me to dream up a scenario in which Madeleine critiques Silvia's tour wardrobe What Not To Wear-style before letting her leave New York, and this amuses me.) They've visited a few eastern locales, including a gala dinner in Delaware with the next best thing to actual tiaras: tiaras as necklaces, specifically the ruby and diamond tiara that once belonged to Crown Princess Margaret. (Rubies and diamonds made for a subtly red, white, and blue outfit for the Queen, I couldn't help but notice.)

With Europe practically emptied out, there isn't much "regular" activity to cover this week.

Mathilde at a conference; Letizia visiting Seville and at a Royal Guards ceremony

But a pretty good week for Letizia, no? I continue to like her her double strappy nude heels.

Which U.S. trip is your favorite?

Photos: Kongehuset/Scanpix/Getty Images/U.N./Kungahuset/Reuters/DelawareOnline/BestImage

Royal Trip Report: The Belgians in Thailand

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde headed to Thailand last week for an extensive six day economic trip. What we saw was pretty much classic Mathilde - when isn't it classic Mathilde? - as she expanded on her staple of a printed top + solid color trousers, but there's some loveliness here worth a chat.

Video: On the first day of the trip

You can't help but think she fits right in, in a temple where everyone wears her favorite citrus color.

Day 2

She brought out the blueish purple Armani she wore to Albert and Charlene's wedding, which is much improved without a hat bolted into her forehead and works really well for an official dinner.

Video

Sometimes Mathilde surprises. A leopard print top might not sound right, but yet this is a great outfit for her.

I'm not entirely sold on her next dinner outfit, but she does win points for intricacy.

And  finally, a few others - this is not all-inclusive - including a meeting with the King of Thailand (far right). I'm going to have to go against her beloved orange and say my favorite is the pink flowered outfit.

What was your favorite outfit from this trip?

Photos: Stella Pictures/Belga/LaSoir/PhotoNews/Getty Images

Royal Trip Report: All Kinds of People, All Over the Place

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.

Which trip outfit is your favorite?

Photos: Kongehuset/Abaca/Marfa/CTK/Getty Images

Royal Trip Report: The Dutch in Brunei and Singapore

Nobody does a state visit quite like the Dutch these days. Seriously. It's a festival of tiaras and giant hats, which is - hello - the reason why I love this royal watching thing. And for this trip, first to Brunei and then on to Singapore, Máxima seems to have packed an extra bit of fabulous.

Monday and Tuesday they called on the Sultan of Brunei, and Máxima threw up a chic streak in full-skirted green, classy florals, stunning white, and luxuriously ginormous millinery. And then she decided to dress like a banana set free from the fruit basket, just so we know she still has some bad judgement left.

And then! It was time! For the tiaras!
There's no reason to hold back when you're at the Sultan of Brunei's house, really, and Queen Saleha led the way in her large diamond tiara. Beatrix also went big - her tiara, which she wore on her wedding day, is one of the two largest she uses. As for Máxima, I expected more, but I can't complain; she is the queen of sneaking bling in under the radar, and you can't argue with the Rose Cut Diamond Bandeau. I also can't argue with her Jan Taminiau gown, which is better suited for state banquet purposes than for its original Prinsjesdag purpose. Click here for a video.

Night two, double the tiara fun! Bless the Dutch ladies, they busted out the tiaras even though the men were in business suits. This is what it will look like when they finally put me in charge of the world, kids: tiaras all the time, no matter what. Anyway. Beatrix wore the family aquamarines, and Máxima added yet another tiara to her repertoire. Well, sort of. She wore the base of the Pearl Button Tiara with stars for her wedding and after, but this is the first time we've seen her in the actual pearl button version. I won't say it was a successful outing, but she's excused since she let us see something new.

Next they headed to Singapore, where a separate state visit began on Thursday.

Máx wore a hairy little repeat from Princess Carolina's wedding. Some of you found it festive and appropriately Máx-level zany the first time we saw it...I think it needs a wax. I shall concentrate on the stunning pink jewels and on her delightfully sherberty second outfit of the day.

And then! Tiaras! Or: Tiara! and Not Quite a Tiara! more accurately.

For the first evening in Singapore, Beatrix wore her favorite, Queen Emma's Diamond Tiara. It's a notable step down from her first night in Brunei; perhaps a nod to their hosts this time around not having tiaras of their own to flaunt. Máxima certainly toned it down in the tiara department, wearing a haircomb-type thing from Queen Wilhelmina which went unseen for a century or so until she wore it to the pre-wedding festivities for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. She paired this with an overall look last seen on Barbie, I'm pretty sure. I'm just saying. Click here to see video.

The Singapore visit ends today.

UPDATE: The last day in Singapore.

A slower end, to be sure, but I do like both of these repeats.

What's your favorite outfit from this double trip?

Photos: All Over Press/PPE/ANP/Dutch Photo Press/Abaca/EPA/Getty Images

Royal Trip Report: The York Sisters in Germany

Here's a fun royal trip for you: our very own Holmes and Watson, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, took a two day jaunt to Germany as part of the Great Britain Mini Tour to promote British business and culture overseas. While everyone else fusses about what this means for their future (or non-future, as the case may be) as working royals, let's fuss about their fashion! Successful or not, they do bring a dose of youth to the royal fashion scene - and we can always use more of that.

They began in Berlin, where Beatrice paired a chic belted Burberry coat with a Jonathan Saunders dress and Kurt Geiger heels and Eugenie went with a basic Mulberry coat, navy Alice and Olivia dress (or so it was reported - she kept the coat on) and L.K. Bennett heels. I can't tell you how much I love Beatrice's "put a belt on it" philosophy - cinching it is just the right thing to do.

In the evening, they hit up the ambassador's residence. Beatrice brought back perhaps my very favorite Erdem dress in royal use today, but Eugenie made a strong play for my affections with sparkly chevrons. You guys, I am obsessed with chevrons right now. And these ones are sparkly. If they were purple too, I might have hyperventilated.

Day 2 took them to Hanover, home of their ancestors. Eugenie repeated the coat she wore to Christmas service, and reaffirmed my initial thoughts: this is too bulky for her. It's just bulky enough to appear to add bulk to her, and that just won't do. She fared much better without the coat, even though it's still not as interesting as sparkles and chevrons. As for Beatrice, her blue coat is lovely and all that - but day 1 still wins it for me.

Which outfit is your favorite?

Photos: NetaPorter/PA/Matches

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards (and a Mini Trip Report): December 3-9

We have last week's round up and a mini trip report (two, actually) to get to, but first a note: my Ultimate Tiara Collection returns on Wednesday - for now, we have tiara sightings coming our way! The Nobel Prizes are awarded today in Sweden (where the tiaras are) and Norway, and we'll have a fashion run down later. Until then, back to our regular business...

Best in Trips

Crown Princess Mary

Visiting Hong Kong and Beijing

Mary and Frederik made a quick visit to China last week, and Mary brought some repeats and some new stuff too. I'm a sucker for a simple but bright blue dress, so sign me up for the Malene Birger number on the left there. (I'll pass on the Elise Gug on the far right, though - what's supposed to read as detailed is coming off muddy to me.) 

Best in Winter

Princess Letizia

Princess Letizia at an Antena Foundation 3 meeting and the National Sports Awards; Crown Princess Mette-Marit visiting Vennesla; Crown Princess Victoria opening an exhibition at the Royal Palace

Why so glum, ladies? Why so dark and dreary? Oh that's right, it's December. Curses. Well, I once again find myself admiring Leti's nude shoes, so I'll give her some love for that.

Best in Twins

Princess Mathilde

At a UNICEF conference in Brussels; on a UNICEF mission to Haiti

Déjà vu for you? Yes, Máxima also has the electric blue number Mathilde started her week with. In the battle of Who wore it best? I'll give it to Mathilde, but it's six of one, really. Still, it's my favorite of the week for her - a week which also included a colorful little trip of her own, to Haiti.

Best in Giggles

Princess Máxima

Visiting the My School project; celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Oranje Fonds; naming a new gas tanker

The gas tanker Máx was naming is an environmentally friendly model, so naturally the Princess opted for an environmentally friendly ensemble for herself: she's used the arm covers from my grandmother's 1971 gold velvet sofa as a hat. Oh Máx, whatever will you stick on your head next?! Thanks for the giggles.

And an Honorable Mention to...

The Countess of Wessex

At ICAP Charity Day

Bonus blue dress points if it's a blue dress from Roland Mouret. Nicely played, Sophie!

Who interested you last week?

Photos: Reuters/Kongehuset/AP/Getty Images/Stella Pictures/UNICEF Haiti/Place Royale/PPE/DutchPhotoPress/ICAP

Royal Trip Report: Haakon and Mette-Marit in Indonesia

It's just a trip-filled time of the year, isn't it? Royals getting out and about one last time before they settle in for Christmas and whatnot. The Norwegians got in on the action last week, as Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit paid an official visit to Indonesia. They promoted Norway, and I'm promoting her clothes, as I do, because this trip featured a few absolutely lovely outings for dear M-M.

It wouldn't be Mette-Marit without some typical M-M outfits, of course, meaning some plain clothes and some uninspiring pairings. But thankfully, there's more.

Just to spice things up, the couple paid tribute to their hosts by donning local gifts: a shawl from the first lady for Mette-Marit for an official dinner, some traditional skirts for both, and a printed fiesta of a shirt for Haakon (a gift from the embassy). I'm puzzled by Mette-Marit's pairing of that business jacket with that floaty dress, but I find myself sufficiently distracted by a man that can wear a skirt wrap with flair, so I don't care.

My favorites obviously begin with her outfit on arrival: it's purple, it's detailed, the earrings are killer, and it's purple again. I also nod my head in her general direction for a bit of shine and a brooch with some hair ornamentation (I appreciate her attempt to give us a hat - every trip deserves a hat). But my very very favorite is her crisp white suit filled with intricate detail. That's the Nordic ice princess I know and love!

Which was your favorite outfit?

Photos: Kronprinsparet Facebook & Twitter/Scanpix/Kongehuset/Getty Images/Stella Pictures

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards (+ Other Things): November 19-25

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

Who caught your eye last week?

Photos: AFP/Getty Images/Kongehuset/Belga/PPE/Abaca

Royal Trip Report: Charles and Camilla's Last Jubilee Tour, Part 2

It's been a long trip for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, but they're finally getting ready to head home. We'll pick back up at the end of the Australian leg of the tour - click here to revisit Part 1 - and hit just a few of the highlights.

Camilla visited the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police in her role as their new Colonel-in-Chief, in a fantastic hat. Still working the Queen Mum upturned brim line, but just a touch more casual than some of the big whoppers she pulls off.

They wrapped it up in Australia after saying hello to the Prime Minister and visiting the War Memorial. Dicey territory with the shoulder fringe, Cams...dicey territory.

Next up was New Zealand, where they marked Remembrance Day in Auckland and Camilla's hat refused to stand still. Charles was wearing the dress uniform of his position as Air Commodore and Commander in Chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

They also tried their hand at some sports (always entertaining), and Charles got a sweaty hug (even more entertaining). And yes, the natty prince switched from Australian wool suits to New Zealand wool, because he knows the rules of royal tour fashion.

Wednesday brought two parts of the trip that were widely publicized beforehand: Charles' 64th birthday party, and a visit with some hobbits. Less widely publicized beforehand: Camilla's Animal Kingdom hat.

The hats have been her consistent sartorial high point, among a rather regular rest of the wardrobe. We did get to see a few jewels in New Zealand apart from her regular chokers and such. (Sadly for squirmy types like me, they were extra creepy and crawly.)

She sported new Van Cleef & Arpels earrings and her diamond snake necklace on top of a sad, sad evening gown. To accent her poppies on Remembrance Day, she picked her diamond stick insect brooch, said to have been a gift from her father, who was a veteran and prisoner of war from World War II. She also wore a small brooch which is one of many from the Queen Mother now in Camilla's collection.

Despite that fact that it hasn't been jam-packed with fashion or jewel highlights, this has been a successful trip for the Prince and the Duchess. Now it's back to England, and without a trip to prep for I hope we'll get to see Camilla back in bling - there's a state visit coming at the end of the month!

What do you think was the highlight of this trip for the couple?

Photos: Getty Images

Royal Trip Report: Mary in Mozambique

Crown Princess Mary has been visiting Mozambique, which means we owe her a mini trip report!

The visit is part of Mary's role with the United Nations Population Fund, and focuses on rights and reproductive health. Her stops have included meetings with government officials as well as organizations and facilities working towards progress on the cause.

Fashion-wise, she's mainly stuck to simple dresses with print detail to keep things interesting. A few new things, but also some repeats, like the white dress and the yellow print - both from Hugo Boss.

Most importantly, everything goes well with the local garments she's been honored with - print on print on print! (And so much purple - Mozambique, I approve.) Plus, she's looked delighted to wear each one, which is obviously the most important thing.

The trip ends today, the 13th.

UPDATE: Here are the final two outfits.

She might just get me to like orange yet, in that Diane von Furstenberg print.

Which is your favorite outfit so far?

Photos: Facebook/Kongehuset/Scanpix

Royal Trip Report: Charles and Camilla's Last Jubilee Tour, Part 1

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are on their last Diamond Jubilee tour of the year, this time in the southern hemisphere. They began with a couple days in Papua New Guinea and are currently in Australia. Now, we have to be honest here: sartorially, this is not as exciting a tour as others have been (well, it's not to me, at least). I suppose it's largely to do with the warmer climate in their first stop at least, but Camilla's been particularly low key so far. So we'll catch up with some highlights via video, because even when the fashion's not fascinating, the meat of the tour lives on. (It's true, but don't tell anyone I said it.)

They did sport some local treasures they were given while in Papua New Guinea: they were both presented with orders from the country on arrival, which they wore at the state dinner held in their honor (though here, as we saw on the Cambridge tour, a state dinner does not mean tiaras or other real bling), and Camilla proudly wore a necklace with a large mother of pearl shell given to her by a local woman.

Charles did get in the spirit, speaking a little of the pidgin language. He deserves some applause for sporting a full uniform in the heat - note that Camilla is never without her fan or the tiny parasol that accompanies her whenever these two take on a steamy climate.

Next, the couple moved on to Australia. So far in the trip, I think Camilla's best appearance was at the Melbourne Cup - hatted and tidy as can be. Like a little taste of Ascot in November.

Of course, as we see at the end of that video, encounters with animals of the adorable kind will best just about any sartorial appearance. In case you need further proof:

The last couple days in Australia, the fashion of the tour has had an interesting twist: it's been Charles with the specially issued sartorial info, not Camilla. He's worn suits made of Australian wool - a nod to the country, the farmers, and the Campaign for Wool of which he is patron.

The tour continues in Australia and then on to New Zealand. Perhaps the Duchess will show us a little nod like Charles did, in her clothes or her jewels before the trip is out. That's part of the fun of these trips, so my fingers are crossed. (The Australian Monarchist League has had a brooch made for her, click here to see. And click here to see a video of the pendant they gifted to the Duchess of Cambridge for her wedding.)

We will catch back up with them towards the end of the tour.

Royal Trip Report: The Belgians in Turkey

Last week, before scooting over to Luxembourg for the big royal wedding, Philippe and Mathilde visited Turkey on an economic mission for Belgium. And there was some fabulousness, and some averageness, and some orangeness.

Day 1 arrival; Day 2

Orangeness. I really think if she went a week without wearing orange, I wouldn’t recognize her. (Can you tell it’s just not my favorite color? But it seems to be hers, so fair enough.) Note Phillipe’s tie: the couple that matches together stays together, apparently.

Day 4, in Dries Van Noten

Averageness. This is a totally typical Mathilde silhouette, but with an un-typical print. Innnnteresting…and just a touch psychedelic, like if you look too long you’ll be sucked through the vortex. We should move on, just in case.

A concert on Day 3; more events on Day 2 in Zara

Fabulousness. First, the purple. It’s PURPLE, do I need to expound? I do not. And then the white, which might just be my favorite Mathilde outfit of the year. I love her in pure white, and I’m loving the shaping. I gather she received the necklace as a gift while there, but it works perfectly too. Jumpy claps!