Flashback Friday: Madeleine's Recent Gowns

Just as I was starting to ponder what we might see Princess Madeleine wear for her wedding day (less than a month away!) and was starting to confuse myself with all the options - she's not overly attached to any specific designer, she has ample reasoning to wear an American or other international designer, and she's even been spotted in Paris recently - the rumors started to emerge. First, Expressen reports the commission has gone to Linda Nurk.

Linda Nurk is a Swedish designer who created two of Madeleine's memorable Nobel Prize gowns and is speculated to have made the frothy blue creation Madeleine wore to Crown Princess Victoria's wedding. I don't find the report hard to believe; certainly, a Swedish designer would be a smart move, and someone she's had experience with is an easy guess.

On the other hand, there's a rumor that Valentino has the job. The red gown above is Valentino in action on Madeleine, but still I find myself more convinced by the first rumor. I think a review of some of the evening gowns Madeleine's worn in the past few years is in order, just in case there's a hint (in designer, or in design) to be found.

Her Angel Sanchez gown actually comes from a bridal collection, so there's that. And though lace is eternally popular for bridal affairs, based on that Dolce & Gabbana number, I'm not a huge fan of the head-to-toe lace look for her.

From this row, I'd most like to see the fishtail silhouette on Madeleine, as seen in the black dress above, done in bridal.

I think the lilac Marchesa is my favorite from all the selections here - swishy and a little sparkly. (And lilac, obviously, but for the other reasons too, I swear!) Actually, my top guess for a non-Swedish designer for her wedding gown would have been Marchesa. She's clearly a fan.

After reviewing all these gowns, I think I have only one real wedding dress request: nothing anywhere near that bedazzled black Halloween castoff in the center there. That's all. Pleeeease.

What do you think we'll see on Madeleine on her wedding day?

Photos: IBL/Stella Pictures/Net-a-Porter/Reuters/Angel Sanchez/Getty Images/Abaca/Marchesa/Nordstrom/Jenny Packham

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: January 27-February 2

Some fashion, some attempts at fashion, some prints, and the start of a new jubilee year - the week that was:

Best in Blue

Princess Letizia

Opening a tourism fair, opening a meeting on rare diseases and disabilities

I like this blue number - Letizia flair in the fabric and the zipper jacket, but also a classic skirt suit. A little something for everyone!

Best in Orange

Princess Mathilde

At a conference, attending a New Year's Reception

A naturally high-waisted dress: infinitely better than unnaturally high-waisted pants. I approve.

Best and Worst in Shoes

Crown Princess Mary

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.

Who did you like last week?

Photos: Belga/Getty Images/Scanpix/Kongehuset/BT/Abaca/Defensie/DutchPhotoPress/EPA/Kungahuset

Royal Style Duel: A Whole Lot of Twinsies

Some of you recognized Princess Marie's dress from her recent tiara appearance, and your déjà vu is spot on.

We've seen the same dress on Princess Madeleine (from BCBG Max Azria), plus a similar one on the Countess of Wessex. I stick by what I said before - this is a bargain from the teenage post-dance sale rack - but I'll give this one to Madeleine for recognizing that this a black tie gown at best, not a white tie gown.

That's just one of several twin appearances we've seen lately in the royal world. Shall we have an omnibus style duel? We shall:

Máxima and Letizia own the same Uterqüe skirt, which Letizia wore again last month. I'll give it to Letizia, for overall polish.

We had a couple cases of déjà vu at the Luxembourg wedding, one of which was Princess Zeina's Matthew Williamson peplum number, previously seen in a different color and with more ornamentation on the Duchess of Cambridge. Pair Kate's version with Zeina's hair, and I think you'd really be cooking.

And in another case of Too Much Natan, Princess Marie Astrid repeated the red gown Princess Claire wore to Crown Princess Victoria's wedding in 2010. And I have to say, Marie Astrid did it better.

Who do you say wins these duels?

Photos: Getty Images/Splash/Matthew Williamson

Month in Review: Greek Royal Ladies, August

Here's what a few selected Greek royals wore in August:

Princess Theodora

1. American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, 7 August. Love that she's sporting this event, and love this dress!
2. Out and about in Greece, 24 August.
3. Pre-wedding party for Nikolaos and Tatiana, 24 August.
4. Nikolaos' and Tatiana's wedding, 25 August, a) on Theodora and b) from BCBG Max Azria. 

Princess Nikolaos

1. Wedding preparations, 22 August.  I ask you: is this the perfect outfit to be out and about on a Greek island, or what?
2. Wedding rehearsal, 22 August.  Once again, super cute.  This dress has little pockets too, which I love.
3. Out and about, 24 August.
4. Pre-wedding party, 24 August, a) from J. Mendel and b) on the bride.  Just ethereal.
5. Wedding, 25 August.  I see how it fits in the context of the location of the wedding, but I still can't say I'm a huge fan.
6. Day after the wedding, 26 August.  

Crown Princess Pavlos

1. Wedding rehearsal, 22 August.
2. Pre-wedding party, 24 August.  I love this more and more.  Even the shoes.  
3. Wedding, 25 August.  Did anyone ever catch a photo of this without the shawl?  I didn't see any, but I'm dying to know.

Best and Worst of the Month

Picking a best for the month among these three ladies was a tough one. (Especially when there's a bride involved, but I've already bored you with my thoughts on that one.)  But there's something about Theodora's flowered dress that does it for me - it's young, but appropriate, and insanely flattering.  I'll tell you what isn't any of those three things - Marie-Chantal's metallic thing there.  I'm sure this is by some high-end designer that I haven't been able to identify, there's probably a good chance it cost more than my car or something, but come on.  M-C's usually a very chic woman, but sometimes I think she rests a little too heavily on the strength of her designer labels.

Photos: Sevenpixnews/Tlife/JMendel/Style.com/Royal Press Europe/Nieboer/Svenskdam/Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Zimbio/BCBG/BEW Photo