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Psst...: Yes, this is a new feature! See today's other post for details.
Queen Margrethe, accompanied by Prince Henrik and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, attended the second day of the New Year's Court festivities, a reception for the Diplomatic Corps. The video above shows the event from 2012.
Yes, the video is showing you this event from a couple years ago - but guess what? It doesn't even matter, because the ladies wore the same stuff this year! Repeats ahoy, and that's why our outfit of the day is really from Margrethe. Some of you gave Mary a hard time for repeating her gown for the gala event, but here's her example: Margrethe wears this fur-trimmed blue outfit (from longtime couturier Jørgen Bender, if I'm not mistaken) for two days in a row for these daytime courts and has done so with the same dress for quite a few years. It's how she rolls, and it makes me appreciate any amount of variety from Mary all the more, no matter how small.
Margrethe, Mary, and Mary's brooch (as shown in the documentary De Kongelige Juveler)
Mary's gown is another altered repeat, but she wore the lovely sapphire brooch Queen Margrethe gave her when Christian was born. It's a family heirloom from Queen Ingrid's mother, and it's always a treat to see in use!
Everybody is everywhere right now - your typical November surge in events, just before the holidays. Today's installment of Traveling with the Royals joins Mary and Frederik on a visit to Mexico and Felipe and Letizia on a visit to the United States.
When we last checked in on the Danish crown princely couple, they had just arrived for their Mexican visit and Mary was fresh and flowery in a peplum top. Picking up on day 2...
Video: Day 2
...we have another floral-type situation, plus red for the evening. It seems the theme for day 2 was belts.
Video: Day 3
And perhaps the theme for the whole trip was florals, with a darker version on day 3 that remained somewhat hidden under a sweater and coat. Whatever it was - that's it! A short, sweet, and low key trip. The Danish royal news has been occupied with other things, anyway...
A new family portrait by Thomas Kluge was revealed, and it is interesting. And by interesting, I mean a potential cover for Stephen King's next thriller about the boy prince who would stop at NOTHING to take the throne before his time {cue slasher music}. But hey, it's getting attention (as many of you have emailed me, it hit BuzzFeed and other hot spots), and, well, that's not something you can say about every royal portrait. Mission accomplished?
Also out and about are the Prince and Princess of Asturias, who have been visiting California and Florida.
Sassy Letizia came along, too! (Hello, sparkles and hair and earrings and red shoes and red lips, all at once.)
Video: Sassy Letizia in action, also shown third from left above
But I'm boring and am partial to the flattering pale pink suit, myself.
It even goes well with Google Glass, you see.
Which trip outfit was your favorite?
P.S.: Yes, we have many more current events to handle. Stay tuned!
Photos: Thomas Kluge/Kongehuset/Getty Images/Casa Real
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...
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.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have been visiting Australia, one of their frequent trip destinations. This one had a celebratory purpose: the Sydney Opera House's 40th anniversary. Mary is Australian and the landmark was designed by a Dane, Jørn Utzon, so that all lines up neat and tidy. The birthday party was my favorite of Mary's outfits for the trip, and that's where we'll begin:
Video: The birthday celebration, including a snippet from Mary's speech
She told a cute little story (what she knew about Denmark before Frederik: Hans Christian Anderson, and the Opera House was designed by a Dane), there were fireworks, it was all good. Plus a dress with just a touch of sparkle and gold to it - nothing wrong with that.
Trip outfits
These trips always touch on Danish design and Mary certainly brought some of that with her, but she also wore a few pieces from designer Collette Dinnigan. She's worn Australian label in the past and every time she does I'm left wanting more. (The Duchess of Cambridge has worn a bit too, and I hope we see more when she and William finally make their much-anticipated trip down there).
Also - what's this?! - someone has decided to step in and wave the flag for hot Valentino shoes while Mette-Marit's gone. I approve. (The Norwegian crown princess, if you haven't heard, is on extended sick leave for a recurring neck/back issue and could be out until Christmas.)
Video: The couple visit an area touched by recent bushfires
Truthfully, though, this trip has been a pretty standard fashion run. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of non-sartorial highlights - the couple has been on proper cute form and made some touching connections. Case in point: this trip to visit an area affected by the recent bushfires, an unplanned addition to the agenda.
And one more bit of cuteness for the road. I know some of you love the moments when little girls get to meet REAL princesses, so don't miss the curtseys on display here:
Video: An engagement with the Australian Twin Registry. A mom to twins herself, Mary is patron of both the Australian and Danish Twin Registries.
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.
Mathilde at a round table discussion on breast cancer; Letizia attends audiences at Zarzuela Palace; Máxima receives the first copy of the book "A World Without Cervical Cancer"
I think I like...Máxima? the best here. Sure, let's go with that.
Cute, right? There was an unofficial meeting of the crown princely club when this group of heirs visited Willem-Alexander and Máxima for likely the last time before they become the first of the crew to step up a level. Love that they're friends in addition to being colleagues.
Best in Spirit
Princess Estelle
At a church service;at the FIS Nordic Ski Championships
I do love it when royals get their team spirit on - but despite Victoria and Daniel's best efforts, they were overshadowed by the little one. You just can't beat the flag in the teeth move.
Who did you like last week?
Photos: Stella/Getty Images/Refdag/RVD/Jeroen van der Meyde/Aftonbladet/Scanpix/BestImages
It's happening: William and Catherine have set out upon their yearly Grand Adventure. (I don’t know if you’ve heard...people might be just a leeeetle bit excited. Ahem.) (No judgments, mind you.) They will hit Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu before they head home, and we’ll be checking in with them periodically via our new Royal Trip Report feature. Let’s hit it:
Day 1: Arrival in Singapore and a visit to examine an orchid named for the late Diana, plus one named for them
To everyone who said she should switch up those ubiquitous nude LK Bennett shoes: she also has LK Bennetts in off white which is basically slightly lighter nude, guys. SHE SHOWED YOU. Bahaha.
The dress print; her clutch and those fascinating shoes
Anyhoo, on to the dress. Hand painted orchids on custom Jenny Packham, because of the orchids and all. Lovely but not my favorite. That's okay, because there are better things to come.
Day 1: State dinner hosted by the President of Singapore
Better things like this, for one. But first, let's handle the disappointment: I'm afraid it's time we all learned that "state dinner" doesn't necessarily mean white tie and tiaras. Facts are disappointing.
The dress, plus her diamond bracelet and black clutch
Fortunately, I never expected a tiara event, so that leaves me open to throw up the jumpy claps for this lil’ number. This dress is fantastic! Firstly, it is PURPLE. Secondly, it is groovy. And thirdly, it’s from Prabal Gurung who was born in Singapore. CONNECTIONS. Boom. I hope this gets worn again and doesn’t disappear into the Land of Worn Once Upon A Time.
Day 2: Visiting Gardens by the Bay and the Rolls Royce plant
Day 2 started off with an Alexander McQueen suit (well, you know how it goes, it's really Sarah Burton for the Duchess of Cambridge and not so much "McQueen") in white broderie anglaise paired with her giant navy wedge shoes.
Rocking the safety goggles as is her royal duty to do, a look at the fabric, sapphire earrings, and those Stuart Weitzman wedges
The wedges, I'm afraid, are a particularly clunky end to this light and bright outfit. I'm not anti-wedge on principle, mind you, but it's all about styling. Anyway, at the Rolls Royce plant she was tasked with finished off the plant's first airplane engine by pushing in the last blade. Upon successful completion she flexed her muscles for the crowd, and that's adorable, so all dodgy shoe choices are forgiven.
We’ll pick back up with the rest of Day 2 and onwards on Friday. How do you think the Duchess is doing so far, sartorially speaking?
The York girls are such a sartorial roller coaster, I love it. When they (or, I suppose, the stylists they're said to have) get it right, they're so deliciously on point. And Beatrice pulled a win last week which is so fab I'll retroactively forgive her for that Ascot butt ruffle incident.
Attending the Britain Creates 2012: Fashion & Art Collusion VIP Gala, in Roksanda Ilincic (right)
She's appropriately flying the flag fully with her Roksanda Ilincic dress, Anya Hindmarch clutch, and Nicholas Kirkwood heels, but it's the particular combination of all three that puts some jump in my claps. She hasn't gone bridesmaid-matchy or overly safe (look Ma, no nude shoes!) but the blue on the spectacular shoes pulls out the blue cuffs, and the pink on the bag brings out the slight blush tone of the rest of the dress.
Gold star: awarded for a refreshing break from the royal accessory stalemate.
Koninginnedag, or Queen's Day, was yesterday in the Netherlands, and the Dutch royal family turned up for the street party as only they could.
Best, Obviously
Queen Beatrix
Hey, it's her day and it's been a tough year. The absence of Prince Friso - in a London hospital with serious brain injuries after being trapped in an avalanche earlier this year - and his wife Princess Mabel was certainly felt at the celebrations. The Queen Bea can wear whatever she likes.
Best in Cute
Princess Margriet and Pieter
Aw, here, warm your hearts with these two: Princess Margriet and her husband Pieter van Vollenhoven.
Best in Máxima
Princess Máxima
Yes, best in Máxima. She has her own category now. Because no one else could pull off an outfit that's simultaneously pulled from Peggy Olson's Mad Men wardrobe and Princess Estelle's nursery and make me love it.
SHOES!
Princess Aimée
Oh, I know. I can hear you over there - you that don't think these are princess-ish, and you that are ready to do all her foot health worrying for her. But as a Certified Shoe Person, let me just say this: SHOES! How delightfully entertaining.
Worst in Shoes
Princess Marilène
Mmmm....no. Not wedges, dear. Not with that. The rest, though: full marks.
Best and Worst in Green
Princess Laurentien and Princess Annette
Laurentien wraps us up with a lovely and understated green print, while Annette takes the worst here with all that shine.
At the European Alzheimer's Award ceremony, 16 January. Ah yes, the knee high Natan boots that plague so many Benelux princesses. In a rather unfortunately mustard-toned tan here.
Attending a New Year's reception, 17 January.
At a gala concert, 17 January, a) arriving in a ruffled velvet coat and b) inside, sans coat.
