Flashback Friday: Madeleine at the Nobel Prize Ceremony

As of this writing, Princess Madeleine is on the roster to attend the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony on December 10th (these things do have a tendency to change). If she makes it, it will be her first Nobel appearance since 2009 (!). We really must flashback to prepare ourselves, don't you think? Her appearances at the big ceremony to date:

She may have started tame for her first Nobel appearance in 2000, but by 2002 she was ready to let 'em rip...uh, literally. The so-called "Baywatch" dress resulted in a bit of a kerfuffle over some cleavage-y pics of the princess. (And we note the contrast in 2003, ha!)

No matter what you rate all these appearances, one thing is clear: the girl can work a train. I can't even look too far down on her radioactive saloon girl gown from 2009, because gah that is one excellent train.

She can also work a double tiara appearance, wearing the drops from the Connaught Diamond Tiara twice and the Modern Fringe Tiara as a necklace once (2009) while wearing a tiara proper.

If you're the betting sort, the obvious place to put your money is on another appearance of the Modern Fringe, but my main hope for Madeleine at the Nobels this year is to see something different in the tiara department. Another shot at the Connaught, or perhaps the amethyst tiara. (Purple and a train, I might die.)

We've flashed back on Victoria's and Silvia's outfits for this event in the past. I am as always crossing my fingers for an Elie Saab for Victoria - and something fun in the tiara department too, while I'm dreaming. The Cameo again would be lovely. As for Silvia, I have but one measly request: no Pronger, please. It will be interesting to see what Princess Christina wears, if she attends; her own tiara was thrown in the river earlier this year and we've not heard news of a recovery. I know many of you will be crossing your fingers for proof that the family has bought back a tiara formerly belonging to Countess Estelle Bernadotte - I think that'd be the jumpy clap heard round the world. (And don't forget: the Nobels in Sweden are a two tiara affair, one for the actual ceremony and one for the King's banquet the following night.)

What would you like to see on the royals at this year's Nobel festivities?

Photos: IBL/AllOver/Getty Images

Tiara Thursday: The Nine Prong Tiara

One of Queen Silvia of Sweden’s favorite tiaras is often referred to as Queen Sophia’s (or Sophie’s) Diamond Tiara, which I suppose is the more historically accurate choice. But I like a little bit of description in my tiara name when I can get it – something to help you figure out which one you’re talking about – and so I’m going with the non-historical but dead on Nine Prong Tiara.

The Nine Prong Tiara

The tiara that I also refer to (not so affectionately) as the Pronger has more than 500 diamonds. They are arranged in a sunburst-type motif that terminates in, you’ll never guess, nine graduated prongs. Many tiaras have some level of adjustment to allow them to be adapted for the wearer’s comfort – after all, not every woman’s head is the same size and shape – but apparently this tiara lacks in the flexibility department. It seems that either your head fits this tiara, or…too bad for you.

Queen Sophia (left), Queen Louise (right)

The Pronger in the format we know today was first worn by Queen Sophia (1836-1913), hence the first name option. She wore it as a princess and later as a queen, and it’s possible it was originally created from an older piece in the Swedish royal collection. After Sophia, we next see it on Queen Louise of Sweden (1889-1965), who was the second wife of Sophia’s grandson, King Gustaf VI Adolf.

Left to Right: Princess Christina, Princess Margaretha, Princess Birgitta, Princess Lilian

Like many of the other major historical pieces in the Swedish royal jewel collection, the Nine Prong Tiara is protected by the system of Bernadotte family foundations. This means it is not any single person’s personal property, which would open it up to being sold or given away. In the case of the Swedish royal family’s practices, it also means that it has been worn by a variety of Bernadotte ladies since the passing of Queen Louise.

Queen Silvia

King Carl Gustaf’s sisters Princesses Christina, Margaretha, and Birgitta have all worn it, as has Princess Lilian, who is the wife of the King’s late uncle. But it is mainly (in fact, except for a couple of times, exclusively) worn by Queen Silvia since she married in to the family in 1976. She must fit it well, since it is a favorite and she wears it with no signs of discomfort. It's her most frequent choice for the Nobel Prize Ceremony (which is coming up!). It has not been worn by either of her daughters, which is fine by me.

Queen Silvia

Yes, if you haven’t sussed it out yet, I’m not a fan. Here’s the thing: it looks like antlers. Diamond antlers, sure, but antlers all the same. There are far more elegant pieces to be had in the expansive Swedish collection, is all I’m saying.

Are you a fan of the prongs?

Photos: Getty Images/IBL/Corbis

Tiara Watch: The Girls on Parade

Yesterday, the Queen and her family welcomed Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait for a state visit to the United Kingdom. Pomp and circumstance and jewels, that's what we're here for!

The welcoming ceremony featured the Queen in one of my favorite brooches, the Williamson Diamond, plus a kicky little hat that falls somewhere between Queen Margrethe and Queen Mary's ghost. Bonus points for the dapper Duke and his top hat (the Prince of Wales sported one too).

And then it was time for the state banquet. This one was at Windsor Castle instead of Buckingham Palace. There's no way around it: this is one dead impressive venue.

Click above for an article and video from the BBC.

And the Queen was bedecked in dead impressive diamonds, including an outing for my favorite tiara, the Girls! Yay! (As always, see the Jewel Vault for the full diamond scoop.)

Another Yay!: we got to see Camilla in the riband of the Royal Victorian Order for the very first time! I do so love a sash. It's just that extra regal touch one's outfit needs. Ribands for everyone! She sported her regular Boucheron Honeycomb Tiara (a.k.a. the Greville Tiara) on top - and I must confess, I had hoped we might see something different since she's all official and sash-ed up now. Perhaps the Delhi Durbar again, or the Teck Crescent, since that's apparently on loan to her. But, no. That'll teach me to get my hopes up with these Brits.

Also in attendance were the left side of the Countess of Wessex's face and the Princess Royal's hair. Sophie's wearing, what, maybe the Five Aquamarine again? I don't see the tell-tale signs of cat ears that usually marks an outing of her wedding tiara, but this is a wonky angle. And I'm thinking that's either the Aquamarine Pineflower or the Meander for Anne. Those Windsors, they build the guessing game right in.

P.S.: This replaces Wedding Wednesday for the day.

Photos: Getty Images

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

Tiara Thursday: The Alexandrine Drop Tiara

Alexandrine Drop Tiara

If maximum sparkle is your ultimate tiara goal, then you need diamonds that dangle and tremble. If that's what you want, then this might be the tiara for you: the Alexandrine Drop Tiara. It features gold hoops with numerous small dangling drops - not so large the movement is distracting, but enough to really play with the light. This one was made in Paris around the turn of the last century for Queen Alexandrine of Denmark, wife of King Christian X.

Queen Margrethe

After Alexandrine's death, the tiara passed to her son, King Frederik IX. He gave it to his daughter, Margrethe - now Queen Margrethe - as an 18th birthday present. It was her first tiara, but as with many first tiaras, it was worn less and less over the years as her collection grew.

Princess Alexandra, on her wedding day

In 1995, Queen Margrethe gave this tiara to her new daughter-in-law, Princess Alexandra, as a wedding gift. Alexandra wore it on her wedding day and for all her tiara events; the Danish royal family isn't in the habit of sharing tiaras often, and this was the only one Alexandra ever wore.

Alexandra's divorce in 2005 left many wondering what would become of this tiara. Would she keep it, or would it go back to the Queen? Would she wear it again? But it was indeed a gift and not a loan, and as such was Alexandra's property to keep (both Alexandra's private secretary and the Danish Chief of Court have been quoted verifying this status). And though our opportunities to see it have been greatly reduced, they are not non-existent: she wore it publicly in 2012, when she was invited to the concert marking Queen Margrethe's Jubilee. Many have related this "loss" of a tiara to the Queen's future tiara-giving behavior: Crown Princess Mary received a purchased tiara (at a time when perhaps there were signs that a divorce for Joachim and Alexandra was imminent), while Princess Marie's tiara is a loan.

Now Countess of Frederiksborg, at Margrethe's Jubilee

I miss not seeing this tiara at all the Danish royal events, to tell you the truth. I find it so enchanting, the way the metal hoops disappear from afar so that the diamonds appear to be suspended by magic in the hair. I also loved the way Alexandra wore it, on top of grand hairdos and grand ballgowns the likes of which we don't see that much now. She certainly squeezed as much variety as possible out of her one tiara, wearing it in all manner of different positions. And if you're only going to have one tiara, that's the way to go.

Is this on your list of favorites?

P.S.: The blog will be on vacation tomorrow for the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving, even if you don't celebrate it!

Photos: Getty Images/Life/Polfoto/Scanpix

Wedding Wednesday: Princess Alexandra of Denmark's Gown

HRH Prince Joachim of Denmark and Alexandra Manley

November 18, 1995

Hillerød, Denmark

Prince Joachim, the youngest of Queen Margrethe's two sons, met Alexandra Manley in Hong Kong, where she was born and raised. Their engagement in 1995 took many by surprise, but it resulted in a big royal wedding for Denmark - one that would have to tide them over until 2004, when Joachim's older brother would finally marry. For most of her marriage, Alexandra was the de facto crown princess, and she played the part with her style. That style started right away, with her wedding gown.

Alexandra’s gown was made by Jørgen Bender, royal couturier extraordinaire (responsible for the wedding gowns of Queen Margrethe, Princess Benedikte, Queen Anne-Marie, and Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg as well as many gala gowns for Queen Ingrid, Queen Margrethe, Queen Silvia, and others). He used whole silk and nearly 9,000 pearls to create the gown. It features a high collar, long sleeves, cummerbund cinched waist, and full skirt with a 4 meter train. The pearl detailing travels around the collar, down the front pleat of the skirt, and around the hem and sleeves.

For more videos, click here. 

Her voluminous tulle veil and equally voluminous hair were crowned with a diamond tiara given to her by her new in-laws (and which will be tomorrow’s topic, you know how we roll).

 

Comparisons to the famous gown of Princess Grace are so common they’re cliché, but I can’t help myself: in my mind this is the gown that most closely resembles Grace’s, right down to the collar and cummerbund and poufed skirt. It’s sort of like a winterized version of the iconic dress from Monaco.

But even with a throwback to another royal, this gown would actually turn out to be a fairly accurate predictor for what was to come in Princess Alexandra’s royal style. Alexandra was game to play the princess role per the storybook ideal: big hair, big gowns and big trains. She wasn’t afraid to be Cinderella every now and then, and I’ve always loved her for that.

Of course – and isn’t this always the case? – the real life version wasn’t exactly a fairy tale. After having two children (Princes Nikolai and Felix) together, Alexandra and Joachim divorced in 2005. Alexandra remarried in 2007 to Martin Jørgensen and is now known as the Countess of Frederiksborg. Joachim later married Marie Cavallier.

What do you think: too poufy, or just right?

Photos: Polfoto/Scanpix/Kongehuset

Royal Fashion Awards: Monaco's National Day

It wouldn't be a big event in Monaco unless there was a dose of sartorial confusion, and so it was with National Day. Fruitless though it may be, I have some questions for these kids...forget the awards, let's get some answers.

First, the morning events, including the Te Deum.

What sort of hat trend are you trying to start, exactly?

Princess Charlene

Hats can do many things for one's noggin...but making it look stumpy is not among the highlights. (See also: receiving the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Charles from Albert a couple days ago.)

What's up with the pleated ruffle thingies?

Princess Caroline

The eternal question for Mr. Lagerfeld, really. Kudos to Caroline for looking dignified anyway.

Why are you wearing a scrunchie?

Princess Stephanie

Totally negates the rest of the outfit, which is probably the best thing she's worn in quite some time.

Why is your hat so fabulous?

Charlotte Casiraghi

Nonchalant glamour at its best.

Whatcha doin' there?

Hans-Adam II

I don't know why the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein was a (seeming) guest of honor for the day. Reigning princes gotta stick together?

And then, the evening gala.

Why'd you take your coat thing off?

Princess Charlene

That's where all the fabulous was, I'm just saying. I mean, leave the gloves on at least. Hard to go wrong when opera gloves are involved.

Why don't you just wear tiaras already?

Princess Caroline and Everyone

Seriously, the dress code's been upped to include sashes since Charlene just had hers awarded (sub question: why is she wearing the wider male version?), and Caroline has jewels in her hair anyway. So. Close.

I have so many more questions (Andrea, are you grooming yourself in the wild again?) but eh, you know what, I withdraw them all. This is Monaco - just when you think you've got it figured out, they'll prove you wrong.

Any sartorial highlights here for you?

Photos: Getty Images/Pool/BestImage

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: November 12-18

Some weeks, you just nod and smile and wait for the next tiara event. C'est la vie! But we do have someone earning back some sartorial points this week, and that's enough reason to forge on...

 

Best Dash of Red

Princess Letizia

Information day of the "Importance of Research in Cancer"; Opening ceremony of the XXIII Ibero-American Summit of Head of States and Governments

I'm so delighted with her elegant red coat, I'll forgive the boring gray suit underneath. 

Strongest Commitment to Red

Princess Mathilde

At the Te Deum for King's Day (with Princess Claire and Prince Laurent, and Prince Lorenz and Princess Astrid)

Speaking of red...you give Mathilde an idea, and she'll run it right into the ground. You hated those shoes on Máxima last week, and now theeeyyy'rree baaaaaack.

Celebrating at Parliament

Stiffest Tin Man

Princess Máxima

Future of Banking conference; At a school visit for Money Week; The award ceremony for the Erasmusprijs 2012; Growing SMEs conference; Welcoming Sinterklaas with her daughters

First things first: that navy number is a jumpsuit. I boycott further comment on principle. Second, that silver number is a repeated from the baptism of Princess Ariane. I liked it then, but now I think she could double for the Tin Man in the local Wizard of Oz production. (Can you guess what movie I watched last night? Yeah.)

Most Improved

Crown Princess Victoria

Meeting with Ewa Kopacz; At an event for World Diabetes Day; Attending "Children and Young People — The Archbishop's Meeting 2012"

I'm just ridiculously happy to see her without a confetti apron tied around her waist, or a spaceship bolted to her forehead. It's time to pull it together: the Nobel Prize Ceremony is fast approaching, and we need our V at her most elegant.

Who made your best dressed list last week?

Photos: Getty Images/Best Images/DutchPhotoPress/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

Tiara Thursday: The Modern Sapphire Tiara

The Modern Sapphire Tiara

This tiara goes by several names, often the George VI Sapphire Tiara or some version of that. But while it does belong in an assembled parure of sorts with the George VI sapphires – a necklace and earrings given to the Queen by her father as a wedding present, which you can read more about on the Jewel Vault – this was a separate piece added by the Queen. Though the origins of the piece itself are not modern, it is a modern addition to the Queen's collection, hence the name I use: the Modern Sapphire Tiara.

Princess Louise of Belgium

This tiara traces back to Princess Louise of Belgium (1858-1924), who was the daughter of King Leopold II and the wife of Prince Ferdinand Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Louise can be seen in photographs wearing what we know today as the Queen’s tiara, but she wears it as either a necklace or a dress ornament (it’s pinned to the neck of her dress in the above photograph). When you look at the current tiara, you can indeed detect a bit of pointiness - the tell-tale look of a converted necklace instead of something designed specifically to be a tiara.

Louise was a scandalous figure with a string of lovers who left her husband and ended up estranged from her family and in serious financial trouble. She had to sell jewels, among other things, to recover her debt. Presumably, this is how the sapphire and diamond necklace ended up in the general marketplace, where it was ultimately acquired for the Queen and turned into a tiara.

The tiara and a bracelet were added to the Queen’s collection in 1963 to round out the assembled parure of sapphires. Together with the Burmese Ruby Tiara, it is one of the more significant jewels the Queen has added to her collection during her reign. And while you can quibble with the success of either design – personally, I harbor animosity towards the Burmese, but have always quite liked this one – I think this add was a smart one. The most significant royal sapphire set was the Cambridge sapphires, and Queen Mary gave those to the Kent branch of the family. Creating a full sapphire set filled a hole in the collection, just as adding the Burmese tiara filled a ruby void in the Queen's collection at the time.

What do you think: is this a successful addition to the collection?

Photos: Getty Images/Corbis

Wedding Wednesday: The Queen’s Wedding Gifts

On November 20th, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will celebrate 65 years of marriage. Sixty. Five. Just two crazy kids in love, I tell ya. Now, if you’ve hung around here long enough, you’ll know I prefer my parties to be sparkly. Therefore, we’re celebrating this anniversary (one that you don’t see much these days) with a look at some of the jewels the Queen picked up back in 1947 (a gift haul you really don’t see much these days).

Some of the gifts on display at St. James' Palace

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten received around 2,500 gifts. They ranged from the practical (a refrigerator, pairs of stockings) to the thoughtful but not exactly useful (a live turkey sent from an American girl concerned about the food supply in post-war Europe, a piece of lace made from yarn hand spun by Mahatma Ghandi which earned some serious scorn from Queen Mary, who mistook it for a loincloth). And then, there were the jewels.

Left: the tiara from the Nizam of Hyderabad (now broken up, with brooches remaining) and the Boucheron ruby necklace from the bride's parents, with earrings made with wedding gift pearls. Right: the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and Dorset Bow Brooch from Queen Mary, the necklace from the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the bracelet from the groom.

First, they rolled in from family members. Queen Mary gave a large pile of gems: the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara (which became the Queen's favorite), the Dorset Bow Brooch, a ruby and diamond bracelet with a rose center from Cornwall, a large diamond stomacher, a pair of pearl and diamond button earrings, and a pair of diamond bangle bracelets. Several of these items were among Queen Mary's own wedding presents.

Princess Alice, the groom's mother, gave her own Meander Tiara. This was never seen on the Queen; she gave it to Princess Anne who wears it frequently.

The bride's parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, also had several jewels to add to the collection. They included the Queen Anne and Queen Caroline strands of pearls she wore on her wedding day, a Boucheron ruby and diamond necklace from the jewels the Queen Mother had inherited from Mrs. Greville, a sapphire and diamond Victorian necklace and earrings, and diamond chandelier earrings (also from the Greville jewels).

The brooch at left includes the Williamson Pink diamond, a wedding gift from Dr. John Williamson. The center brooch was given by Carrington & Co., and the brooch on the right is one of several gold brooches among the wedding gifts.

More jewels poured in from organizations, governments, dignitaries, and individuals. The Swiss contributed a diamond evening watch the Queen would later lend to Diana, Princess of Wales. The people of Burma sent a necklace of rubies that was later used by the Queen (with the diamonds from the Nizam of Hyderabad's tiara gift) to make the Burmese Ruby Tiara. Many brooches were received, from groups like the Jewellers and Silversmiths of Great Britain and the Principality of Monaco.

Left: the Greville Chandelier Earrings from the King and Queen, the City of London Fringe Necklace, the bottom piece of Queen Mary's stomacher gift worn as a brooch, and the diamond bangles from Queen Mary (on her right wrist). Right: the Girls tiara, and the sapphire set from the King.

Some of these jewels have become lifelong favorites, but many appear to have never been used. (For example, the Emperor of Ethiopia gave a "gold tiara chased in openwork with symbolic devices" which has never publicly been worn.) The number of jewels available to Elizabeth would drastically increase just a few years after the wedding, as she became Queen and gained access to many Crown pieces (1952), and as she inherited a large chunk of Queen Mary's jewel collection after her death (1953). This lowered her dependence on her wedding presents to add sparkle to her outfits...though of course there were probably some presents that would not have been used in any case. (Hey, we all have issues of personal taste.)

The celebration of this anniversary is going to continue over at the Queen's Jewel Vault. I'll be featuring a selection of wedding gifts until the end of the month, so tune in over there if you're in the mood for some sparkle. The first entry is up now.

Which is your favorite wedding gift?

Photos: Leslie Field/Geoffrey Munn/Getty Images