MYROYALS BLOG

Showing posts with label Monaco. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Royal Outfit of the Day: January 28

Princess Charlene accompanied Prince Albert for the Sainte Devote service in Monaco, wearing Akris (the fabric, detail center, as seen in various pieces from the Fall 2013 RTW runway, right)

I have some quibbles about the boxiness of the jacket on Charlene here, but I'm falling in love with the chevron fabrics. It doesn't take much to get me to fall in love with a chevron to start with, but the subtle pattern, the added texture, and the interest created by the contrast of the thicker zigzag on the jacket and the thinner zigzag on the skirt is a genius way to make this so much more than just another charcoal suit. (Sidebar: When searching Akris looks for this particular one, I found myself absolutely charmed by quite a bit of their most recent offering, the Bonnie and Clyde-inspired Pre-Fall 2014 collection. Some potential there, no?)

Photos: AP/Reuters/Style.com

Monday, December 23, 2013

Year in Review: 2013's Honorable Mentions (...and Some Worsts)

We tackled the bests from the roster of royal women usually featured here, but they weren't the only ones accomplishing feats of sartorial splendor in 2013. Today's honorable mentions are for the stand outs among the rest of the royal crew! Excellent looks, plain and simple, left to right:

Princess Charlene is trying, bless her heart, and she seems to know that purple and jewels are the quickest way to my heart. She simply killed it with this appearance.
Speaking of killing it, the Countess of Wessex had an amazing year. Take your pick - this red number was just one of several bests.
Princess Marie's sleek take on a Little Red Dress also needs to join my best list.
I can't always pinpoint what I love about an appearance, and Princess Caroline's simple black dress is one such situation. Maybe it's the slightly longer necklace? Whatever it is, I thought she looked absolutely tremendous here.
It wouldn't be a favorites list for me if it didn't include some Elie Saab, so Princess Madeleine's pre-wedding sparkles will cover me quite nicely there.
Likewise, I require a dose of the couture mastery of Sheikha Mozah, so we'll go with this Valentino in the Netherlands.
Plus, the Duchess of Cornwall got to make her big foreign royal event debut. I really enjoyed seeing her out and about this year, more and more regal and ready to step up when the time comes.

And just a few sentimental favorites, because it isn't all about the fashion...even here.

Queen-to-Princess Beatrix was full of win this year, particularly the strong front she formed with Princess Mabel as they said goodbye to Prince Friso. On a more superficial note, the fact that she added an extra row of pearls to her big pearl tiara for the first time in a long time on her final night as queen wins all the things.
The return of Crown Princess Masako to the international royal stage was completely lovely, and I hope we'll see more of her to come.
WEE ESTELLE is my spirit animal. That is all.

And...The Worsts

Wouldn't be a proper year end wrap up without one last glimpse back at what made us cringe this year, would it? And then we never have to think about them again. Until one of these women decides to haunt us with a reappearance, that is.

Princess Märtha Louise set the standard for the worst list early in the year in this number.
Queen Máxima did a particularly bad thing with an ill-fitting dress and some black stockings recently, but for me, this Valentino (which she is the third royal to wear) is the year's true crime. It's the one time a tiara actually made things worse.
Crown Princess Mary also wore the H&M mullet dress sported by Crown Princess Mette-Marit, but the addition of heavy black tights, SHOOTIES, and a jacket is such a peculiar look. She's managed to be both blergh and baffling, all at once.
Princess Charlene at Princess Madeleine's wedding looks less a mess than the rest of those in this row, that is true - but. But. This one makes me sad. It's not just that she didn't wear a tiara to a tiara event, it's that this dress really could have used a tiara. Something, anything, to liven up this drab color which felt like a thud on the red carpet of a summer royal wedding.

Who makes your list of honorable mentions and worsts this year?

Photos: Getty Images/PA/Scanpix/Kungahuset/ANP

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Year in Review: 2013's Royal Brides

As we continue to wrap up 2013's sartorial happenings, a look back at the lovely royal (and royal-adjacent, etc.) brides we covered here this year - because a royal wedding gown is always a highlight, no?

In March, Princess Iman bint Al Hussein of Jordan married Zaid Azmi Mirza in traditional style.
In June, Princess Madeleine of Sweden married Christopher O'Neill in a Valentino gown.
In August, Vicky Andrén married Gustaf Magnuson (the King of Sweden's nephew) in a Lars Wallin dress.
In August, Kendra Spears married Prince Rahim Aga Khan in Manav Gangwani Couture.
In August, Tatiana Santo Domingo married Andrea Casiraghi in a Missoni outfit. (Reports say they will hold a religious wedding in January.)
In September, Claire Lademacher married Prince Félix of Luxembourg first in a dress from Jan Taminiau and then in a gown from Elie Saab (pictured).
In October, Viktória Cservenyák married Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Parma in Claes Iversen. (They have since announced that their first baby is due in February!)

You could give me Elie Saab any day of the week and I'd be a happy camper, so obviously Claire comes out ahead for me in the 2013 bridal race. But we had a great variety this year and I'm guessing there's something here for everyone, so tell me:

Which royal wedding ensemble was your favorite this year?

Photos: Petra/Pool/Scanpix/The Ismaili/Palais Princier/Cour grand-ducale/Getty Images

Friday, December 13, 2013

Wedding Wednesday (on a Friday): December Brides

Let me sneak this in here since we had a Nobel Wednesday - the last in our series of monthly bride reviews! And just a short list to take us out...

The Duke of Brabant and Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz

December 4, 1999

Our newest king and queen in a year of monarchy switcheroos.

Archduchess Marie Christine of Austria and Count Rodolphe of Limburg-Stirum

December 6, 2008

These two (she's a niece of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg) welcomed a second son this year.

Prince Bertil of Sweden, Duke of Halland and Lilian Craig

December 7, 1976

These two might be my favorites from this list, because awwww.

The Princess Royal and Commander Tim Laurence

December 12, 1992

Appropriate for a small second wedding (for her), yes, but also so very Anne - the exact same case, in fact, as her much larger first wedding, as mentioned in last month's overview.

King Baudouin I of the Belgians and Fabiola de Mora y Aragón

December 15, 1960

If you want a queenly wedding gown, this is it.

The Shah of Iran and Farah Diba

December 21, 1959

This one's got the pomp factor too, but not quite the same gravitas as Fabiola's gown, I think.

King Hussein of Jordan and Alia Baha Ad-Din Touqan

December 24, 1972

This was the king's third marriage, and it ended tragically: Alia was killed in a helicopter crash in 1977. Their children include Princess Haya, who we see around here whenever the races are on.

Princess Caroline of Monaco and Stefano Casiraghi

December 29, 1983

Another tragic end here, I'm afraid: Stefano was killed in a speed boat crash in 1990. Their daughter Charlotte should be having a baby of her own soon.

Who's your favorite December bride?

Photos: Rex/Getty Images/TimeLife/Royal Household/Palais Princier

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: October 29-November 4, Plus Your Modern Tiara Winner!

Well, At Least You Showed Up

Princess Letizia

Letizia visits a residence for the elderly, attends an awards ceremony and an anniversary party for a newspaper

Err...this is about it for our normal leading ladies for the week (well, Máxima did do some her U.N. stuff). How sad. And the only thing worth commenting on is the one I should probably leave alone - though I can't resist noting that the occasion when those boring-as-toast business suits Letizia loves so much would have been totally appropriate is the one occasion at which she decides to bring Grease back, and that's hilarious. Thanks for playing our game, L.

Honorable Mention for Also Showing Up

Princess Charlene

Charlene attends the Princess Grace Awards Gala

In other news, we've got Charlene, spontaneously beheaded by a ruffle in honor of Halloween. Some of you really liked Charlene's dramatic turn; I'm not sold as such, but I am entertained, and that is saying something.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Since we had a bit of a slow week, let's go ahead and wrap up that modern tiara vote. Using free time in a productive manner is not usually something I encourage, but tiaras are an all-purpose excuse.

Seeing how many different ways you all defined "modern" was fascinating. Some of you differed greatly - and perhaps that gives you a glimpse of one of the reasons why I chose to define the category as simply as possible (by year) and let you sort out the rest. And sure enough, I think you came up with a winner to satisfy most of your definitions...

The Midnight Tiara!

Mary strikes again, her creation of diamonds, moonstones, rose gold, white gold, and black oxidized silver lending a darker note to your ultimate collection. The run away winner, and certainly worthy of carrying the "modern" torch.

Your runners up:

2. The Modern Fringe Tiara. As I noted, this was only a guess and might not even qualify for the time requirement. It doesn't particularly qualify for those of you that went for something modern in design as well. But the fact that it made it so high on the list speaks, I'd say, to the polarizing nature of some of these modern designs.
3. The Boucheron Emerald Ivy Tiara. Queen Rania fared very well in this vote.
4. The Diamond Foam Tiara, or hair ornament or aigrette if you prefer.
5. Queen Rania's Arabic Tiara - not one I thought would do so well, but there you go.

And here's the collection to date:

Photos: Getty Images/Scanpix/Kungahuset/Abaca/Petra/Christie's/Royal Collection

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: October 6-14

Most...Interesting

Queen Mathilde

Video: The King and Queen visit Liège

This hairy little number is from Belgian designer Veronique Branquinho. And all I can say is that if Mathilde's response to calls for her to add some variety to her Natan-filled Belgian wardrobe is to don her Sesame Street Halloween costume early...well, we're in for an interesting ride! (Also up this week, another non-Natan outfit: a sparkly dose of Armani.)

Best in Visits

Crown Princess Victoria

Left to Right: Victoria at a meeting for the International Paralympic Committee (with plenty of other royals) and at a seminar, the Swedish royal family welcoming the Dutch King and Queen for a one day visit, and Máxima in Washington

Pretty sure that red dress would qualify as a Máx favorite, but alas it is overshadowed by all that excess fabric in Sweden - and Victoria instead is left to shine in her simple and sleek blue number from Tiger of Sweden.

Best in Annual Events

Princess Letizia

Video: The Prince and Princess of Asturias attend the military parade on National Day in Spain

Letizia was at her prim and proper best in a berry dress with a light pink jacket for the parade - though I may like it better without the jacket (as seen later at the reception), I do enjoy the color pairing.

Best of the Rest

Crown Princess Mary

L to R: Letizia at a trade fair in Germany, opening a vocational course, and at an awards ceremony; Mary at a meeting, at the opening of a joint exhibit of the creative works of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, and pictured as part of a pictorial and interview given in advance of the couple's trip to Australia (click here for more on that).

This is more of a tie, really - the rest of Letizia's pink week and Mary's regular deal. So I freely admit that it is the event here that sways me: Margrethe and Henrik in a joint artistic exhibit. How cool is that?! And they continue to hold their spots on my list of Royals I'd Like to Drink With.

And an Honorable Mention to...

Princess Charlene

Attending a Ralph Lauren event in Paris

Yes, in her purple and her jewels there's only one thing to say: Charlene killed it.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Getty Images/BestImage/Kungahuset/Casa Real/Sex og Samfund via Kongehuset/Stiften/Good Weekend

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: September 29-October 5, Plus a Double Tiara Watch!

An Honorable Mention, For Starters...

Prince Harry

Video: Harry visits Australia

Seemed right to start with Harry in uniform. Carry on.

Worst in Everyday

Crown Princess Mary

Mathilde visits Lamur and opens a festival; Mary attends an opening and an awards presentation (in By Malene Birger), Letizia marks Santos Angeles Custodios Day and attends a dinner

I left out a whole lot of regular events for our usual suspects this week, on account of boredom. Even some of these aren't so interesting (Letizia, serviceable as ever but a sartorially forgettable week overall). Mathilde's my favorite here, despite a hat that looks like she's been hit by a pumpkin pancake at certain angles (now I'm hungry), because of that lovely strong blue dress. And Mary, sadly, takes the prize of (dis-)honor for the most memorable outfit here, adapting the non-slip flower stickers from my grandma's shower for dress purposes.

Best in Parliament

The Danish Royal Family, and Their Flowers

Video: The Danish royals (Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, and Princess Benedikte) attend the opening of Parliament

They've got a whole little coordinated color scheme going on here, and yet the thing I like best is how well each bouquet matches each lady's outfit. (Doesn't say much for the outfits, I suppose.)

Best in Visits

Crown Princess Victoria

During the state visit from Portugal to Sweden, and visiting the U.N. in New York (far right)

The fall state visit season delivers again, with a repeated blue Elie Saab that would have won but for the shoe match overkill and a black floral Dolce & Gabbana that needs no coat to improve it. So nice she wore it twice! And state visits give us more goodies too...

Tiara Watch!

All due snaps to Queen Silvia for coordinating her red sash with her ruby tiara (the Edward VII Ruby Tiara), but I feel deprived of an opportunity to see Victoria take the rubies out for the first time. She had on a red dress (repeated Escada) and everything! Oh well, she can never go too wrong with the Cut Steel Tiara anyway.

Worst in Visits (and Tiara Watch #2)

Queen Máxima

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima paid a one day visit to Norway and were received by the Norwegian royal family, and they hosted the President of Israel for a visit including an official dinner

Not the Norwegian visit, everyone was looking shipshape there. But the dinner...well. On the plus side, she's playing in the jewel vault again (she's converted the Pearl Button Tiara back to the version with diamond stars she wore for her wedding, something we haven't seen in several years) and she's busting out a tiara at a black tie dinner (when others would go without). But on the other hand: WOE. That same Valentino gown that has previously sucked both Marie-Chantal and Mette-Marit into its vortex of frump has claimed another royal victim. I'd normally say a tiara makes everything better, but in this case I think it's done the impossible and made matters worse. Never has it been more clear that this should have been left in the one room schoolhouse.

MAN. I'm grumpy today, huh? I might be more in need of those pumpkin pancakes than I thought. Let me leave you with something that pleases me, before I tend to my urgent carbohydrate requirements:

And One Last Honorable Mention to...

Princess Caroline & Crew

Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess Caroline, Princess Stephanie, and Andrea Casiraghi attend an AMADE gala

There's no nightmare-inducing pedicure shoes. There's no need to search for some deep, artsy appreciation for the imagination of Karl Lagerfeld. They just look good, Caroline most of all. Just plain chic. Caroline has a level of elegance that's downright soothing when employed properly. (And yes, Charlotte's purse does have a tiara on it, and no, I don't have that in my closet, and no, I don't know why not.)

Who was your best dressed last week?

P.S.: We have a wedding to discuss tomorrow, so hang on to your comments for that!

Photos: Belga/Abaca/TV2/BT/Malene Birger/Getty Images/BestImage/Portugal Presidency/IBL/DutchPhotoPress/AP/Getty Images

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: September 22-28

Best in New York

Queen Máxima

All in New York City, for various reasons: Queen Mathilde (appearance from the previous week), Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Queen Máxima, Princess Charlene, Queen Rania, Crown Princess Mary

The party really has been in NYC, hasn't it? Even those outside of our normal scope. Máxima's first look is everything, but then again I will always and forever be a sucker for a full skirt. And so much better than her second look - there is no way that amount of loose fabric around one shoulder will not make me think of a toga party, and that's just the way it is. Even Charlene looks good, believe it or not! (Relax, Charlene fans, a joke. Let's don't talk about her other encounter with the Obamas...which is one awkward outfit, at best.)

Best in Other Stuff

Queen Mathilde

Mary christening a ship, Letizia at an audience, Victoria holding an audience and at the opening of the General Synod, Mathilde with Jacques Rogge and at a concert and a visit to Antwerp

Speaking of white peplums, let's give this one to Mathilde, who will always win in that repeated dress (far better than that shape-shifter printed outfit, which seems to look like a completely different hat and dress depending on the angle). Elsewhere, Mary's giving us classic princess all the way - and yet, I've never been a fan of that hat. It's very...large. Camilla-esque, in a way? That's what I'm thinking. Anyway...

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Belga/NTBScanpix/Kongehuset/Getty Images/Berlingske/Kungahuset/Lehtikuva/LeSoir/BestImage

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Royal Fashion Awards: A Weekend Wedding Frenzy

While some of us were enjoying a long holiday weekend, some of our royal people here were busy getting married by the dozens. Well, maybe not dozens, but there were still multiple royal/royal-adjacent/princely/whatever weddings this past weekend. Let's get to work:

Best in True to Form

Tatiana Santo Domingo

Andrea Casiraghi, oldest child of Princess Caroline, tied the knot with his longtime love (and the mother of his son), Tatiana, in a civil ceremony in Monaco (reports say a religious wedding is scheduled for Gstaad in January). And if you follow these two at all, you probably got exactly what you expected: an extremely private affair with a boho bride in Missoni. Yes, leave it to Tatiana to go for a dress with a description that includes the words "macramé effect" and "raffia"...and to make that look totally natural while strolling down the grandest of palace staircases. Comfortable and happy, two things every bride wants to be, right?

Video: Albert and Charlene at the evening party

They had a party in the evening, too. The video above gives you a glimpse of Albert and Charlene's looks (spoiler alert: there does not appear to be anything VERY REVEALING about that dress, no matter what the video is called), and you can see Tatiana's evening look here (Missoni, again - she's close with the family, and they were in attendance).

Best in Fabric

Kendra Spears

This groom is Prince Rahim Aga Khan, and he is the eldest son of the Aga Khan. This bride - who is now known as Princess Salwa - is an American and a model, because obviously, and I find myself moved to upholster everything I own in the fabric she's rocking there. (Which is a compliment. It's so deliciously rich.)

Best in Dress

Vicky Andrén

From the Swedish side, Princess Christina's son Gustaf Magnuson married Vicky Andrén (also a model, go figure). Lars Wallin did the wedding gown and oh - yes - we have a winner, folks. Predictable old me loves this one to bits. I'm also giving this wedding the Best Dressed Guests award, particularly for Victoria in her repeated shiny Jenny Packham and Sofia Hellqvist for her dreamy mauve (click here for the guests and more from the wedding).

But wait! There's more! Prince Muhammad Ali of Egypt and Princess Noal Zaher of Afghanistan also got married, last Friday in Istanbul. I haven't seen quite as much about this wedding, but this page has some glimpses of another sparkly gown.

And now that we have our important wedding business out of the way, we're taking a short break! The blog will return next week.

Photos: Palais Princier/Getty Images/The Ismaili/Scanpix

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: July 28-August 3, Plus Your Amethyst and Turquoise Winners!

Best in Regulars

Queen Mathilde attends a memorial service marking the 20 year anniversary of the death of King Baudouin; Princess Letizia and the Spanish royal family pose while starting their vacation

I suppose I like Mathilde's hat, but I'm not sure her hat likes her - it attempted to flee the scene of the memorial. And as for Letizia...infantas! That is all.

And an Honorable Mention to...

Princess Charlene attends the Red Cross Ball

Yes, that's right: color and a pair of earrings = news!

Who was your best dressed last week?

And now it is time for the latest additions to your ultimate tiara collection, the winners of your amethyst and turquoise competitions...

Queen Mary's Amethyst Tiara and The Persian Turquoise Tiara!

I thought perhaps we'd have another Swedish winner, maybe a German member of the club, but nope: add another two British tiaras to the pile, please. Neither of these two have been featured in depth, so you leave me no choice - NO CHOICE - but to declare this a Tiara Week. Features coming at you tomorrow and Thursday. Sacrifices, sacrifices...if only you could hear the dramatic sighs I'm putting on for you right now.

Mary's won the contest handily, but Margaret's just squeaked by. Here are your runners up:

2. Queen Josephine's Amethyst Tiara.

3. The Cartier Amethyst Tiara, or the Not-Alexandra Tiara, as I've come to call it - it is, in fact, a Cartier piece in a museum in Italy.

4. The Amethyst Necklace Tiara.

5. The Bedford/Tavistock Amethyst Tiara.

2. The Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Turquoise Tiara.

3. Queen Olga's Russian Turquoise Tiara.

4. The Teck Turquoise Tiara.

5. The Ogilvy Tiara, in its turquoise version.

Photos: Getty Images/Scanpix/Munn/Corbis

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wedding Wednesday: July Brides

July's another busy bridal month, and we have some extra famous ones in the mix:

Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Marie-Chantal Miller

July 1, 1995

Another Valentino gown, coming off last month's recent creation.

Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Daniel Ducruet

July 1, 1995

Both a wedding gown and a cocktail gown, very practical...

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock

July 1 & 2, 2011

Still the best she's ever looked, in my humble opinion.

The Prince of Liège and Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria

July 2, 1959

Timely and coincidental, this second peek at the wedding of the soon-to-be abdicated King and his bride.

Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria

July 3, 1993

This is also, I'd say, the best this bride has ever looked.

The Duke of York and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck

July 6, 1893

An "antique" option for you - King George V and Queen Mary - though this wedding will always stand out more for the jewels the bride received than for anything she wore, in my brain.