Royal Fashion Awards: New Year, New Sparkle

And so it is time, once again, to ring in a new year of royal splendor in the way we always do: with tiaras! The Danish royal family wastes no time busting out their finery, holding the first of a series of New Year's events with a banquet on January 1. It's time for tiaras, gowns, uniforms, and the extra fancy collars from the Order of the Elephant:

Video: The royal family arrives

Best Repeated Variety

Queen Margrethe

The Queen can be counted on to repeat a gown for the event, but she's the only one of the three ladies here that changes up her tiara choice from year to year, so there's that. This year she repeated a favorite apple green gown which is quite flattering and paired it with her traditional Yeti pelt fur wrap and the Danish Emerald Parure from the crown jewels. She also wore this combo in 2011 for the same event.

Most Stretched Repeat

Crown Princess Mary

The banquet has become Mary's yearly opportunity to display just how creative she can get with the many pieces of the Danish Ruby Parure - and normally, I love it. But...maybe sticking the brooch on a piece of velvet and calling it a choker is stretching it just a tad, hmm? The choker is a new incarnation of this burgundy velvet dress, which is making its third appearance at the event and has been revamped from its original maternity form.

Best in New

Princess Marie

Making sure we don't drown in repeated gowns, Marie's here to save the day in a new number with a printed peplum top and a solid skirt with a train. The way she's pinned on her collar is just lovely, but I'm missing the small portrait brooch of Queen Margrethe (as worn by Mary) - we've seen Marie wear the honor previously, but not tonight. A picky request, though, from a completely elegant appearance. She is wearing her regular diamond floral tiara.

And an Honorable Mention to...

Helle Thorning-Schmidt

I know basically two things about Denmark's prime minister: she likes a good selfie, and she knows exactly how to dress herself for gala events when she's thrown in with tiara-wearing ladies. All politics aside, she's my tiara-less best dressed for the evening. I mean, this is just gorgeous.

There are two additional receptions in Denmark to be held yet (neither with tiaras, but still fancy court dress).

UPDATE: And here's the sparkly event in Japan, in the video below!

For the second year in a row, Empress Michiko has chosen not to wear a tiara, I believe for medical reasons (extra weight on the head can be troublesome if you have a back issues and things like that). At the beginning, we see the Crown Princess arrive in the pearl-tipped diamond fringe tiara. She does not appear at the audience itself, so the arrival is all we get. The rest of the imperial ladies are sporting their individual tiaras.

Who wins your best dressed award?

Photos: DR1/BilledBladet/Scanpix

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

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: October 22-28, Plus a Tiara Watch!

Best in Annual Events

Princess Letizia

Video: The 2013 Prince of Asturias Awards ceremony

Each year, the Asturias couple head to Oviedo for a couple days of engagements surrounding the big show, the Prince of Asturias Awards. It almost always ends up being one of Letizia's sartorial highlights of the year, and 2013 is no different - look at her, all sparkly and green! Like a tasteful Christmas tree come two months early.

Asturias Awards events

I mean, I could have done without the 1980s flashback tuxedo-dress, but on the whole - a good week in LetiziaLand.

Best in Returns

The Duchess of Cambridge

At a charity dinner

Ooh, this is lovely. I know many of you will cry out for a necklace here, but I actually think it's styled perfectly for this occasion - add a necklace and you'll need to pull the hair back or up, but the dress works well with the cascading locks she loves so much. Welcome back to the fray, Kate.

Best of the Rest

Crown Princess Victoria

Victoria at a meeting and at a formal gathering for the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences; Mathilde finishing up her visits around the country with her husband; Máxima with her husband in Greece

That blue dress, which we've seen before, is just so elegant on Victoria, I'm not even mad at her for not wearing a tiara (it's not a tiara event, despite the otherwise extremely formal dress code). Besides, someone else got their tiaras out last week, so I'll live. Read to the end for that...

A (Dis?)Honorable Mention to...

This Dress, AGAIN

Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Kate in 2012; Alexandra of Luxembourg in September and Madeleine just this past week

I'm starting to get mad at this dress and it's not even poor Madeleine's fault. There are two different designers here, Jenny Packham and Tadashi Shoji, yes - but come on, same difference. I loved it at first and now all I can ask is: Are we done yet? (On another note, Madeleine will be in attendance at this year's Nobel Awards! Huzzah for maternity tiara fashion! Please don't let it be another version of this dress.)

Plus an Honorable Mention to...

The Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Video: Guillaume and Stéphanie have an audience with the Pope

I don't cover Stéphanie here as much as some of you would like, but there's no denying the girl can wear a veil.

Speaking of cool things to put on your head (segue, nailed it), time for that little Tiara Watch I promised.

The Norwegian royal family hosted a gala for parliament and Queen Sonja busted out her mega emerald set. I'm entranced by the movement or perhaps lack of movement of her skirt - click here for video, the royal party enters at 10:38 (including Haakon and the King - and Haakon, yes). And Princess Astrid was in attendance, dutifully wearing the largest tiara at her disposal, her turquoise diadem, as though trying to do whatever she could to make up for the family being down a tiara-wearer in Crown Princess Mette-Marit's absence. Bless.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Getty Images/PA/Style.com/Matches Fashion/BestImage/Stella/EdA/Orange Grove/DPP/ANB

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: September 8-14

Best in Brights

Queen Máxima

Video: Máxima in Malaysia

This dress appeared to legitimately be an eye-searing shade of highlighter yellow in some of the pictures. Happily for her audience, it appears slightly more tame in action.

Best in Prints

Crown Prince Haakon's Jacket

Letizia holds an audience; Mathilde visits Wavre and later a museum; Mette-Marit, Ingrid Alexandra, and Haakon open an environment house; Mette-Marit in Paris

Well, I do prefer Mette-Marit's family appearance to her head-to-toe reptile situation, which looks all kinds of stiff. And while we're at it, we can't forget Crown Prince "Not Just Another Navy Suit" Haakon there. (We must also give a nod to another kind of print entirely: Crown Princess Mary in camouflage, training with the Home Guard, which would be such an automatic winner for me I dare say it's not fair competition.) 

Best in Sparkle

Duchess of Cambridge

Video: William and Kate attend the Tusk Conservation Awards

When in doubt, go with glitter, that's what I always say. 

Best in Statement Accessories

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Máxima opens a museum; Mette-Marit in Paris

As relieved as I am that Máx has not busted out another of her bug jewels, I have to stick with Mette-Marit's shoes. They're not for everyone, but this Shoe Person loves 'em. I mean, not with this outfit, but just generally speaking. From the ankles down.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Psst: We'll have a glimpse at Prinsjesdag tomorrow.

Photos: Getty Images/Abaca/NTBScanpix/Kongehuset/Stella Pictures/ANP/Valentino

Royal Fashion Awards: The Swedish Jubilee

Carl XVI Gustaf became king on September 15, 1973, on the death of his grandfather. And now, 40 years later, the royal family's been celebrating. The weekend may not have had the pomp of last year's British jubilee or the sparkle of last year's Danish jubilee, but it had dancing in the streets and Princess Estelle, so it's a fair competition.

Best in Exhibits

Princess Christina

Left to right: Princess Madeleine, Prince Carl Philip, Prince Daniel, Crown Princess Victoria, Queen Silvia, King Carl Gustaf, Princess Christina

The family all got together first for the opening of an exhibit on the King's reign. His sister Princess Christina did the actual opening, including what I gather was a lovely and touching speech. For that, and for her divinely simple black and white, she wins.

Best in Dinners

Princess Madeleine

Moving up on the fancy scale, there was a dinner and a concert, where the gents were dashing in black tie, Victoria carried on her aunt's black and white legacy, the Queen managed to sneak in some diamond love, and Madeleine glowed (this time, with husband Chris in tow). She wins on those mega green earrings alone.

Best in Te Deums

Queen Silvia

A Te Deum was held - because what's a big royal happening without one of those crazy happenings? - and sadly it was the cause of a few unfortunate shoe choices. By default, I think the Queen has to take this one. (You will note also that all are wearing their new Jubilee medals.)

Best in Te Deums - Guests in Hats Division

Queen Sonja

L to R: Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark, Queen Sonja and King Harald of Norway, Princess Christina and her husband Tord Magnuson

The King's sisters were present, and Princess Christina made up for her sisters' bare heads by sporting...I don't know, but I think you could wash a car with it. Fellow Scandinavian heads of state were also in the house, and I've decided that Queen Margrethe is determined for that outfit to witness all the important royal happenings in this decade (it's already seen her own 70th birthday, the christening of her grand twins, and William and Kate's wedding - and more). That leaves us with Queen Sonja, in a delightfully understated turn.

Best in Parties

These Things That Happened

Stockholm partied after all that, and the awwws came out to play. The King and Queen got all lovey-dovey and danced (you need to see that on video, do you not? You do, so click here). And then my favorite little Swedish bucket of sass made an appearance, dancing on tables, wearing her own wee Jubilee medal (it's under her coat), and hanging out with uncle Carl Philip plus aunt Madeleine's dog, Zorro. A baby, a prince, and a dog: if you can't find something to cheer your Monday in that mix...well, you should get that checked. (Do you need to see this one in action too? I THINK YOU DO. Click here for a whole clip o' Estelle goodness.) And a special nod overall to Prince Daniel, who was celebrating his 40th birthday - yes, he was born on the very same day his future father-in-law took the throne, how's that for a coincidence? (And he shares his birthday with both Princess Letizia and Prince Harry, oddly enough.)

Which outfit is your favorite?

Photos: Getty Images/Kungahuset/Expressen/Scanpix

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: August 27-September 7, Plus Your Diamond Winners!

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.

Who's been your best dressed lately?

And now for the winners of your recent double pick for your ultimate tiara collection...

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and the Fife Tiara!

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.

Photos: Abaca/Getty Images/Belga/DutchPhotoPress/NTBScanpix/BilledBladet-Kongehuset/Stella Pictures

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: July 15-20, and a Bonus of Cute

Best in Cute

Prince George of Cambridge

Video: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the hospital with their bundle of joy

Obviously this is outside of our date range, happening yesterday. Whatever. BABIES, amirite?! You could just pick him up and squeeze him. (But don't, because police.) They were one adorable, happy family in blue. Kate's bespoke Jenny Packham was great {insert your own required Diana polka dot comparison here}, but the warm fuzzies were better.

I do love any occasion that lets the headline writers run wild.

UPDATE: The baby's name is George Alexander Louis. Anybody guess right? (I certainly didn't!)

Best in Other Cute Things

The A-Team, ESTELLE, and Puppies

Left to right: the Dutch royal family poses for their annual family photoshoot, Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle meet scholarship winners, and the Norwegian crown princely family pose with their new puppies

Too. Much. Cute. This should hold us over for a while (it won't, though, because we're not reasonable like that).

Compared to all that, the rest of the week was kinda boring. Haakon tried to liven things up by parachuting into his 40th birthday music festival (because who just has a plain old party, come on).

This party caused a bit of a stir, I guess. First, there was fuss over increased police cost, then it emerged that the guests had been asked to contribute to the costs of the party. All this with a background of fuss over Mette-Marit accepting designer clothes and such for free. But on it went. Click here for a long video, and here for a picture gallery. There were some other royals there too.

Best of the Rest
Princess Letizia, Princess Mathilde, Crown Princess Mary

Princess Letizia attending a naval graduation and audiences; Princess Mathilde (this all happened pre-abdication, pre-Queen Mathilde) at a luncheon and other engagements

Here's a highlight of the rest, the actual business sort of events. But frankly, as far as this post is concerned, if you can't give me at least a puppy you get a meh.

Video: Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik attend a ballet

I suppose Mary and Frederik are my favorites. Fred, really. You gotta respect a man whose sartorial dictionary doesn't include the word blergh.

Who's your favorite?

Photos: The Sun/Getty Images/Abaca/Kongehuset

Royal Fashion Awards: The Belgian Abdication

As Britain waited for a someday future monarch, Belgium went ahead and traded in for a future monarch right now: King Albert II abdicated on Sunday in favor of his son, the new King Philippe. The events took place in the midst of the yearly National Day celebrations, with happenings on Saturday night followed on Sunday by a Te Deum, the abdication, the new King's oath at Parliament, a military parade and more, carrying on into the night.

Video: A summary of the day's main events

As you might expect, Belgium's own Natan label made plenty of appearances, dressing Queen Mathilde, her two daughters, Queen Paola, and Princess Claire. Plenty of hats from Fabienne Delvigne were also in play. This is a standard combination, particularly for Mathilde, and that went along with the tone: this was a special event but still business as usual at the same time.

Best Dressed

Queen Mathilde (and King Philippe)

Left to right: Saturday evening, the day events on Sunday, and later on Sunday

Mathilde didn't put a foot wrong. She was elegant at every turn - but still very much Typical Mathilde. She always loves her some prints, we've seen shoulder details like that in the past, and these are her standard shapes. Special...and yet normal, if you get what I'm trying to say here. Not to be forgotten, Philippe cut a dashing figure in his uniform - in two uniforms for the day, in fact, as he made a switch to a new one as king.

Just to throw us magpies a bone, this being such a regular old bling-free occasion and all, new official portraits were released. And we get something new-to-us! Mathilde has made her debut in the Nine Provinces Tiara, specifically the bandeau portion only. Gorgeous bandeau tiara hair, plus Queen Fabiola's mega diamond waterfall brooch we've seen Mathilde wear a few times. I can't wait to see her in the full tiara - maybe she can make me love it, miracles do happen - but this was a lovely compromise: a "new" thing, but still not too much for the current sparkle-phobic climate.

Best in Coordination

The Duchess of Brabant, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, Princess Eléonore

Four very well behaved and well coordinated children, no? But I can't resist saying here: I'm getting a few shades of déjà vu here to the dresses worn by the A-Team at the Dutch inauguration. Right? Plus the collar on Mathilde's dress too. And while I'm at it, her blue gown above (again, Natan) makes me flashback to the pink Natan she wore at the Dutch inauguration. 

Best in Retirement

Queen Paola (and King Albert)

L to R: Saturday night, Sunday day, Sunday night

Paola's green was the perfect color choice - a nice contrast to Mathilde in ivory, easy to see, but not scene stealing. The emotion of the event showed particularly on these two, I thought, and they went proudly into their retirement, so to speak. 

Best in Color Commitment

Queen Fabiola

L to R: On Saturday, and on Sunday

Taking the purple all the way to the gloves: that's my kind of royal.

Best in Quick Changes

Princess Claire

L to R: On Saturday (with husband Prince Laurent), on Sunday at the first events, and later at the military parade

After giving us her best impression of a highlighter in neon on Saturday, Claire made a crafty non-change outfit change that I loved: she simply ditched the jacket and swapped out her hat to sit outside for the parade. Two outfits in one. (And I'm quite partial to the second version, but then I do love a big hat.)

Best in Family Coordination

Princess Astrid

L to R: On Saturday, on Sunday on the balcony, on Sunday at the military parade with her husband, Prince Lorenz, and four of their children behind them

Even more coordinated as a family than the reigning ones: Princess Astrid went for pale pink, as did her two eldest daughters (and her youngest daughter had a printed skirt that went nicely with the rest). Plus, she brought us bonus royal spotting! In the second row we have Princess Maria Laura, Princess Luisa Maria, Princess Laetitia Maria, and Prince Joachim (in uniform). The only thing we're missing is Astrid and Lorenz's oldest child, Prince Amedeo. And as another bonus, on the far left we have Princess Léa (widow of King Albert's late half-brother Prince Alexander) - also in tune with the pink memo.

Who wins your best dressed title?

P.S.: Yesterday's post is still open if you want to chat about the new baby! If there are hospital exits to cover, we'll do so tomorrow.

Photos: Getty Images/Belgian Monarchy/Reuters/AP/AFP/Belga

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: June 23-July 6

We have much to catch up on, so I'll just hit the highlights: my favorites for each of our regulars. No, scratch that - let's say my favorites and/or the talking points. Can't be too generous.

Best in Trips

Queen Máxima

Visiting Denmark

I love this color on her, and I love that she's sporting Dolce and Gabbana for a change. Plus, how can you not adore the dynamic consort duo, Henrik and Máx? That's like 20% of my ultimate royal dinner party, right there.

Video: Opening her namesake park, by bike

We'll give her two nods, though, because biking around in your hat and dress can not be ignored.

Best in BFFs

Crown Princess Mary (and Princess Benedikte)

Video: Visiting Germany and attending the opening of the World Equestrian Festival

Mary paid a visit to Germany that prevented her from attending the Dutch visit, which was a bummer. But instead, she hung out (and seemed to be having a grand old time) with her aunt-in-law in Germany! If we don't get to see a partial reunion of the crown princess M gang, this'll do. Sartorially, I'm particularly enchanted by her carriage ride outfit, and if I could wrangle her an invite to Ascot, I'd be on that right now.

Best Participant

Princess Mathilde

Visiting a youth camp

Obviously, this past week or so was a big on for the Belgian monarchy...it was not a big one for their sartorial show, though, so we'll award Mathilde's prowess with the wave (or whatever) here. 

Best in Portraits

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

These two crazy kids turn 40 this summer, and so we got a new set of pics, of which this one (and this dress) was my very favorite.

Most Typical

Princess Letizia

Video: Attending a military graduation

Yup, she's at it again: business casual at a formal military event. Nothing more to say, really. 

And an Honorable Mention to...

Princess Marie

During the Dutch visit

When Mary's away, the mice will play. Well done.

And an Extra Honorable Mention to...

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall

I'm sure you've heard the news: another great-grandchild is on the way for QEII, as the Tindalls confirmed that they are expecting. Congrats to them!

Who was your best dressed in the last couple weeks?

Photos: Getty Images/Photonews/Royal Court/NTB Scanpix/BT

Royal Fashion Awards: Royal Ascot 2013

That five day festival of hats and horses and everything in between is well under way at Ascot. Let's check in with the fashion winners and losers so far, shall we?

Best in Day 1

The Countess of Wessex

Left to Right: the Queen (followed by the Duchess of Cornwall), the Countess of Wessex, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Princess Haya

I had my qualms about the shape of Sophie's dress, but in the end it can't be denied: she is positively owning that color. I also loved Haya's garden festival and Serena Linley's flood of pink (she, plus more stylish royals including a well turned out Princess Anne, can be seen here). And, just for kicks, I'm gonna own up and say that I was also digging Eugenie's striped affair. I think the horizontal stripes emphasize her skirt and not what's underneath and are totally cute. Yes, I dug the stripes. (Not you, Bea.)

Best in Day 2

Hmm...

The Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall

Camilla's had quite the elegant streak recently, no? She matched her emerald brooch to the Queen's (which was new to me, all deets at the Jewel Vault!) and pulled off a lovely understated look which needs some love...except that this is Ascot and understated - even in a big hat - just isn't enough! I point you to "the coolest", apparently, Lady Helen Taylor and her explosion of color. I may wish she'd done a Coco (Chanel: take one thing off before you leave the house...or in this case, maybe two or three things), but I'm in love with the fun and unexpected color combo. Click here for more royal ladies and here for Lady Helen's competition for memorable Day 2 looks, Princess Haya and her portable chess set. 

Best in Day 3

The Queen

L to R: the Queen, Autumn Phillips, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Princess Royal

I was ready to flip a coin between Autumn, who was simple but stunning, and Beatrice, who was awfully well recovered from that lace and polka dot raincoat thing earlier. And then the purple Queen stole the race, as did her horse Estimate, who won the Gold Cup. Actual royal jumpy claps! The Duke of York presented her with her cup (she was supposed to present it herself but was unavailable due to awesomeness), and I expect to see that bolted to the hood of the royal Bentley promptly. One's precioussssss. This has set a new level for Windsor cuteness. Your move, Baby Cambridge. (Click here for a full recounting of the jubilant Queen, and here for more pics and stuff from Ladies' Day.)

Best in Top Hats

The Prince of Wales and Prince Michael of Kent

L to R: the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of York and Prince Michael of Kent, the Prince of Wales, Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai (husband of Princess Haya), Peter Phillips

The Windsor Grays! Ha. Nothing says off to the races! quite like the pale color palette, don't you agree?

Updates:

And on the fourth day of Ascot Christmas, the royals gave to me... one Sophie recycling her maternity wear (but she isn't, though, and it's sad), one still delighted Queen, and two bonus Jordanian royals! Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath rode in the Queen's carriage. Also, it's important to note the box of wine handbag at the bottom of that linked article, which I've been delighting in on Twitter. I now suspect Her Maj might have a gin and tonic version. She is quite jolly these days...

And on day five...nada, basically. 

Ascot always winds down towards the end, but this one came to a particularly quiet end, royally speaking. The lovely Princess Sarvath was in the carriage next to the Queen again, though, which was the best bit.

Who wins your Ascot best dressed?

Photos: AP/AFP/Getty Images/PacificCoastNews/Reuters

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: June 9-15

Best in Day (Casual)

Crown Princess Mary

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.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Getty Images/Stella Pictures/Side2/DutchPhotoPress/Scanpix

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: June 2-8

Best in Non-Wedding

Queen Máxima

A two day visit to Germany and an engagement back home

Almost everyone was pretty low key last week, ahead of the wedding in Sweden. Not a lot of sartorial news to report from most of our regulars (Letizia made a rousing return to her trouser-ed ways, newsflash!), except for one: couldn't be anyone but Queen Máx. She didn't come to the wedding (and I missed her pizzazz, I really did), but she gave us a week of hats + gloves + day jewels + glam sunglasses, and I'll take it.

Best of the Week

Princess Estelle and Her Handlers

Victoria, Daniel, and Estelle opening the Royal Palace at the start of National Day and then celebrating with the rest of the royal family, including a new portrait of Estelle

Sweden stole the wedding show and the rest of the week, and you know I'm talking about Estelle. Come on. First she gets a baby sash, and then she gets a baby national costume and all the best dates and a WEE BOW?! But never fear: others were putting on a show of their own, including an affectionate bridal couple (click here for a full gallery of National Day fun), and Victoria in a great white dress (check out her necklace!), which was not even her only good wedding week appearance and a precursor to her fabulous wedding frock. Go on, Sweden.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Getty Images/PPE/Aftonbladet/Kungahuset/K.Gabor/Scanpix

Princess Madeleine’s Wedding: The Royal Family

Princess Madeleine’s immediate family gave us so much to talk about with their royal wedding attire, they get a post of their own!

The King wore the mess dress model 1878 uniform of an admiral in the Swedish Navy, with the Order of the Seraphim sash and star, the star of the Order of Vasa, and the neck badge of the Order of the Sword, plus chest decorations. He walked the bride down the aisle, before they were met by the groom; he did the same with Crown Princess Victoria, and it caused some controversy since fathers walking their daughters down the aisle is not a standard Swedish tradition. But it seemed right here, with so much of the ceremony in English and nods to the culture of the British-American groom.

Since her husband was accompanying the bride, Queen Silvia arrived on the arm of her son, Prince Carl Philip, who was dashing in the mess dress model 1878 of a captain in the Swedish Amphibious Corps with the Order of the Seraphim and other chest decorations. The Queen’s dress was described by the Royal Court as “a jade-coloured dress with a train. The dress is silk organza with embroidered silk lace and Swarovski stones.” With it, she wore Queen Sofia’s/Sophia's Tiara, known around here as the Nine Prong Tiara, or the Pronger, or Sil’s Favorite Party Antlers. Longtime readers know that I don’t have a lot of love for this diadem, but I’ll say this: it did its job today, and was sparkly and grand as can be.

(Though she is not a member of the royal family and attended as a regular guest, I'll also give a shout out to Carl Philip's girlfriend Sofia Hellqvist, who I thought looked lovely and purposefully understated in her lilac frock and gold jewels.)

Crown Princess Victoria arrived with Prince Daniel, in tails and the Order of the Seraphim just like the rest of the family and gamely carrying pacifiers and purses as needed because he’s a solid dude like that, and wee Princess Estelle! Estelle got her own little chair for the service, though she seemed to prefer climbing on various family members. She also got a class in blowing kisses to the bride from her dad. It’s probably a good thing they didn’t try and outfit her in the baby sash she wore at her christening, because that would have truly done me in.

Honestly, Victoria’s dress alone has practically done me in: I’m in love, y’all. The court describes it as “a greige rosé dress with aubergine accents. The dress is made from hand-dyed double-sided silk organza with layers of hand-dyed tulle in three shades, silk threads, Lurex threads, pearls and Swarovski crystals in amethyst and pale grey opal.” It’s been reported to be the work of couture designer Fadi El Khoury. With the gorgeous detailing and dramatic train, it could have been a scene stealer, but the muted color makes sure it doesn’t take away from the bride.

Victoria also wins mega points for her jewels. My guess, and hope, was that she would wear the laurel wreath tiara of the late Princess Lilian, and she did me one better: she wore both the tiara and the diamond necklace which was a favorite of Lilian’s. The necklace is made from a stomacher that belonged to Queen Josephine, which you can tell because it’s a slightly odd shape for the necklace. But this dress must have been made to showcase it, and it works perfectly. A beautiful way to bring Lilian’s memory along. Definitely one of my favorite looks – probably of the whole year.

How did you rate the royal family’s outfits?

Photos: Pool/Scanpix/Getty Images/Reuters