Royal Fashion Awards: Trooping the Colour 2013

The Queen celebrated her official birthday this weekend, participating as she always does with the rest of the royal family at Trooping the Colour, her official birthday parade.

Video: Trooping the Colour summary

Though a larger selection of the royal family was out on the Buckingham Palace balcony earlier, a slightly smaller group came out to view the flypast as they always do, and that's the group we're checking in with today...

Best in Birthday Girls

The Queen

I do love a strong blue, and this is a perfect background for her complex brooch (details over at the Jewel Vault). She was the clear standout on the balcony, and she wins all the things.

Best in Ladies

...A Tie?

Left to Right: The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, the Duchess of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Windsor

Though there were royal ladies dressed in stronger colors there, the only ones that popped out alongside the Queen were dressed in a terribly pale palette, Princess Anne's festive uniform excepted. ("You, in the polka dots, don't even think about it. Is that red? Are you kidding me?" - Her Maj. Or not.) Despite the love of baby pink that has swept me away the past few weeks, I'm feeling quite lackluster about this bunch. Everyone's pretty standard, right down to Bea and Eug's misses. I'll call it a tie...six of one, half a dozen of the other. 

Best in Gents

The Duke of Kent and Viscount Severn

L to R: The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke of York, Tim Laurence, the Earl of Wessex, Viscount Severn, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent

We have two subcategories here, I suppose: uniform and non-uniform. Uniform, it's got to go to the Duke of Kent (sorry, Harry), who took the place of the hospitalized Duke of Edinburgh at the Queen's side. The Duke had his own health issues earlier this year - a mild stroke in March, meaning it was best for him to sit by her instead of riding as he usually does anyway - and it was good to see him in a featured spot. Non-uniform, it has to be James, a.k.a. Viscount Severn, the son of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. I know some of you have been waiting for him to be included at these royal events, and here he is! (Bonus points for inventive binocular use. He can see you.)

Who was your Trooping best dressed?

Photos: AP/Getty Images/PacificCoastNews

Royal Fashion Awards: Trooping the Colour, 2012

The Windsors poured out to Horse Guards Parade and the Buckingham Palace balcony today in their hatted best, just to give us something to chat about. Wasn't that nice of them? (Coincidentally, it also happened to be Trooping the Colour, the queen's official birthday parade. Ahem.)

Best in Strategic Planning

Queen Elizabeth

She’s so sly, our Liz. With the potential for bad weather looming (and, no doubt, not wanting to take any chances after what happened to the Duke of Edinburgh following the rainy Thames parade), the queen rode for the first time in the glass coach rather than an open carriage. So she brought her own sunshine in the form of her repeated royal wedding outfit, and at the same time made herself easy to spot inside the dark coach. Well played, Your Maj. (Brooch check: she is wearing the Guards’ Badge as always.)

Best in Jewels

The Duchess of Cornwall

Camilla can rock a choker, yes she can, and check out the aquamarine on this one. Dee-licious! Don’t even care about the rest of the outfit, no I don’t.

Best in Incognito Hat Angles

The Duchess of Cambridge

I'm sorry, every time she perches a hat like this, she loses me. What's the point of hiding the top half of your eyes? I shrug in her general direction. I much prefer her new Erdem dress today.

Worst Hat

Princess Eugenie

Left to Right: The Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Princess Michael of Kent

Buckle your seat belts kids, the York sisters have abandoned their recent trend of tame millinery and they've taken some family members with them. Sophie's faring the best here (as she also repeats her royal wedding outfit, with a different hat), though I just want to reach right in and give that hat a tug before it falls off the side. Beatrice has opted for a deflated balloon, while Marie Christine appears to have added a veil to a sailor’s cap…and I just can’t. At least she’s not scaring me, like Eugenie and her roadkill. Eug, sweetheart, you are not the family member that needs to be toupee shopping right now.

Best in Uniform

The Duke of Edinburgh

L to R (and click to enlarge): The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of Kent

I’m a little worried about the normally indefatigable Duke. He looked a little fatigued. He gets the prize for showing up anyway, though I tip my imaginary hat to Prince William for debuting the star of the Order of the Thistle on his uniform today. He’ll be formally inducted to Scotland's senior order of chivalry next month.

Best in Purple

Lady Louise Windsor

No carriage ride for the Wessexes this year, but thankfully we still got a glimpse of my favorite wee Windsor – and in my favorite color, no less! (I told you they just came out to play for us.)

Best Random Royal Spotting

King Abdullah of Jordan

Look who joined the party! King Abdullah, on a working visit to London, was seated with the Prime Minister, rather than with the royals. He did not bring his chic wife, Queen Rania, which is sad.

Best in Balcony Spotting

Lady Gabriella Windsor

The balcony was nice and full once again after a sparse Jubilee showing, and so we can get back to playing Spot the Royal! My personal favorite of this motley crew is Lady Gabriella Windsor (under the ribbon there), simply because we didn't get to see her at all during the Jubilee festivities.

Who wins the Trooping fashion stakes for you?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Zimbio/AP/Reuters

Sunday Brooch: The Guards' Badge

Within the vast brooch collection of Queen Elizabeth, there is a special subset of brooches that represent military entities. They usually depict the symbol of the military group in question, and are most often given by the group to the queen. Many royal ladies have brooches, or badges, like this: we’ve seen the Duchess of Cambridge represent the Irish Guards and the Royal Navy Submarine Service and the Duchess of Cornwall wear a brooch from the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada lately, for example. The queen certainly has the largest collection of these badges of all the royal ladies, and she has one unique and large badge that gets a special annual outing.

The Guards' Badge

Known as the Guards’ Badge, this particular brooch combines the badges of the five Household Regiments: the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, and Welsh Guards. Rendered in diamonds and topped by a crown, the five symbols are enclosed in an oval frame bearing the words QUINQUE JUNCTA IN UNO, meaning “five joined as one”.

The pendant given to Princess Mary and the symbols represented: (top row, left to right) the Grenadier Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Coldstream Guards, (bottom row) the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards

Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, was presented with a pendant of this design from Garrard by the Brigade of Guards for her wedding in 1922 (shown above). Queen Mary wore this design as a brooch, and Queen Elizabeth does the same. It seems a good bet that the one seen on Queen Mary, at least, is the one now worn by the current queen, if all three are not the same; either way, it is clear that this symbol has a long history with royal ladies.

This brooch is worn annually for Trooping the Colour, the sovereign’s annual birthday parade. Her Majesty’s actual birthday is on April 21st, but she follows the long tradition of celebrating it publicly on a Saturday in June, when there’s a better chance for good weather. Since 1748, this celebration has been Trooping the Colour. The ceremony stems from the tradition of carrying (or trooping) the colour (or flag) of a battalion down the ranks of its troops so that it could be seen and later recognized on the battlefield by the soldiers. It is performed by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division.
Queen Elizabeth travels from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade for the ceremony (she rode on horseback in uniform until 1986, after which she began riding in Queen Victoria's 1842 ivory-mounted phaeton). She is preceded by carriages carrying a selection of senior royals, and is followed by the Royal Colonels (the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, in the carriage with her; the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards, the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, and the Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, on horseback behind her). After the ceremony she returns to the palace, takes a salute while standing on a dais outside, and then joins her family on the famous balcony to watch a fly-past from the Royal Air Force. She has attended every year of her reign except for 1955, when the festivities were cancelled due to a national rail strike.

When the queen stopped riding in the parade, she stopped wearing her uniform and started wearing her standard day wardrobe. That meant a brooch was required; a few years after the switch, she settled on the Guards’ Badge and she’s worn it every year since. It’s really the perfect option for this event: the same 5 regiments represented here are the ones that take turns each year trooping their colours for her. Wearing this badge provides a special connection to each one, every year.

Unlike most brooches, those that fall under the regimental badge category are not worn for looks. They aren’t worn to complement an outfit; they’re worn as a special symbol between the royal and the regiment. And as we’ve seen in this jubilee year, the bond between Her Majesty and her troops is especially strong.

If you’re interested in viewing Trooping the Colour this year (2012), it will be held on Saturday, June 16th. The BBC broadcasts the ceremony live, starting at 10:30 a.m London time this year on BBC One in the United Kingdom.

Photos: Getty/Corbis/British Army/Illustrated London News

Royal Fashion Awards: Trooping the Colour 2011

I was right, y'all. Beatrice didn't even show up to Trooping the Colour, so the parade today was all Kate, all the time. And she sure did give us something to discuss, and we will do that, but we will also give everybody else some much-needed attention. It's the least we can do, right? Per usual, our attention will be in the form of awards. Everybody loves a trophy.

Best Birthday Girl Prerogative

Queen Elizabeth

Another repeat, kind of boring...but she's the (official) birthday girl. When you're in charge, you can wear whatever you please. And it is one of her better repeats, so I shan't be picky. (Well, I'll save my picks for others, at least...)

Biggest Omission

The Duchess of Cambridge

Omission number one: Kate, you forgot the candy that's supposed to go in that dish on your head. How 'bout some nice M&Ms? Perfect for that mid-parade "oh hell, more bagpipes" energy dip, plus a little extra color never hurt ya. Omission number two: What's a fierce McQueen coat without a proper riding crop? Giddyup!

Most Disturbing Genetic Sign

Princess Eugenie

You know who else has a tendency to stick superfluous bows on things? Sarah Ferguson. (And Princess Mabel. And Hello Kitty. Not exactly esteemed company.) Fight the genetic urge, Eug, fight hard! Because that jacket is kinda cute, you really could've had something here!

Most Acceptable Repeat

The Duchess of Cornwall

How many times have we seen this ensemble and it's various iterations on Cams? Approximately 8,698, I'd say. The only reason I'll give her the nod here is that she wore that choker - gah! I love that thing. She can wear that to as many Troopings in a row as she likes, as far as I'm concerned.

Best Dynamic Duo

The Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

Adorable, these two, in their matching pink outfits. Adorable and a wee bit saucy, I might add - that's a lot of Countess shoulder! (How prudish do I sound?! It's just not what you're expecting to be in for at the military parade, is all. It's sort of like when Anne's cleavage just came out of nowhere, right in your face, that one time. Or, not really.)

Best in Uniform

The Princess Royal

Left to Right: the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of Kent

If it's color you long for, to the military you must turn. And today's toy soldiers made an excellent display. Which one to pick as best? Philip's always a good choice - come on, he's rocking the bearskin hat at 90. And the Duke of Kent is rocking the bearskin hat while on a horse, at 75. William and Harry hold down the under 30 fort nicely, but I have to give this one to Princess Anne. Any gal that can roll with the boys while absolutely owning a hat that culminates in a feather to the skies deserves all the prizes she can rack up.


Now, there are two types of Trooping the Colour people, really: the carriage people and the balcony people. The carriage people get to ride all fancy, and get their picture taken a lot, and get their names spelled right in the photo captions and things like that. Those people are above. The balcony people cram on at Buck House, fearful the facade might give way from all the Windsors on board, are at the mercy of long-range lens, and usually get identified as "royal family members". There's not much to look at when it comes to the balcony people. Luckily, judging on little information is a specialty of mine, and so we will forge ahead:

Best on the Balcony

Lady Frederick Windsor

 L to R: The Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, Lady Nicholas Windsor, Julia Ogilvy (and I believe the Countess of Ulster peeking over her shoulder), Viscountess Linley (with Lady Rose Gilman peeking out from behind), Lady Frederick Windsor, the Duchess of Kent, the Countess of St. Andrews

It's a shame they don't pay more attention to these ladies: some of them really turned it out! Princess Alexandra did her usual thing, but hey - she can do what she wants. That's got to be Roland Mouret on Serena Linley, which I LOVE, but you're not getting anywhere with that ever-so-ebullient expression. The Duchess of Kent and her daughter-in-law the Countess look ladylike as can be, but I'm giving this one to Lady Frederick, a.k.a. Sophie Winkleman. You gotta love that she turned it this far out (that has to be a new hat, probably a new suit) for such a quick appearance (and her first Trooping the Colour, too). She flew in from Los Angeles for this shindig, she deserves a prize.
UPDATES: I have added the Duchess of Gloucester, in a lovely repeat, Lady Nicholas Windsor and Julia Ogilvy - both wearing repeated hats (Lady Nicholas from Garter Day last year, Julia from the Cambridges' wedding). Excellent appearances, all!

Worst on the Balcony

Lady Helen Taylor

 L to R: Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Helen Taylor, Lady Amelia Windsor, Flora Ogilvy (possibly, thanks to Nora)

What in Canadian fashion hell is happening to Lady Helen?! Girl, Erdem has done you WRONG. (And just when I was wondering if Kate would take a look at his stuff for the Canada trip, the nerve.) I put it on the batty radar when we saw it with the matching coat at the royal wedding, but now that I've seen the dress underneath, I'm prepared to commit it to the mental ward. And yeesh, that inside-out/upside-down paper umbrella on her head isn't helping. Everything else pales in comparison, like Amelia's bit of fluff on her head, and that mystery lady's Flora's shapeless outfit (somebody, please, tell me who that is for sure!). And Princess Michael definitely looks out of place next to Helen, since she's only in this category for being stuck in a Trooping rut anyway.

Who makes your best- and worst-dressed for this year's Trooping the Colour?

(And if you see more royals, or better pics, let me know!)

Photos: Ken Goff/Isopix/Reuters/Daylife/Getty Images/Mark Stewart/Camera Press/Tim Rooke/Rex Features/PPE/Nieboer

Flashback Friday: Diana at Trooping the Colour

Tomorrow, the Queen will celebrate her birthday for the second time this year with that grand parade we know as Trooping the Color (excuse me, colour - I'm American, I don't have time for excess vowels). The whole royal family will show up, but the media will only have eyes for one. Yes, unless Beatrice pulls another meme out of her hat box, Kate will be the name of the game. So today, we're flashing back to the last time Trooping the Colour was a one-woman show: the Diana years.

Behold, Diana's inaugural Trooping the Colour appearance. At first glance, you might think this is a maternity outfit, but then you squint at the date and realize that she's still just a royal fiancé. A royal fiancé in a most unfortunate outfit for carriage-riding, I might add.

Now we have the maternity wear years. Though not at all summery, her heavily pregnant 1982 outfit is surprisingly harmless for 1980s maternity fashion. 1984 is much more the smocked costume that was so typical back then. Whose idea was it to dress pregnant ladies like preschoolers, anyway? (Don't miss wee towheads Zara and Peter Phillips on either side of Prince William there!)

For the high years of Diana's Eighties experimental fashion, these are all quite plain; the most notable being 1986's repeat of her famous "flag" outfit (you remember, of course: she visited Japan, wore this dress which emulates the Japanese flag, and caused a sensation - as she was prone to do). My favorite is the structured affair from 1987, but that might just be because I love Harry there, climbing on the Buck House balcony. And since we're talking cute, don't miss William's sailor outfit from 1985. (And since we're talking sailor outfits, check out poor Lady Gabriella Windsor here.) Oh, the things we do to kids.

And oh, the things kids to do us, in all fairness - cheeky Harry in 1988! Perhaps he'll give us something as notable this year and take some of the attention off Kate for a change. Now, to the fashion: as the Nineties neared, Diana's style lost its Eighties dare. And with the exception of that bow from 1989, her Trooping the Colour appearances were no different. I find myself loving 1988's green number, despite it being so matchy-matchy (even Harry matches, for heaven's sake), but the hat from 1992 might be my favorite of them all.

Fitting, I guess, that she went out on a high note: 1992 is where our road ends. Diana and Charles separated, and her balcony invitation expired. Do you have a favorite? Is there any certain year that epitomizes Diana's style to you?


Photos: Corbis/Getty Images/Tim Graham

Royal Fashion Awards: Trooping the Colour 2010 Edition

Take a moment to review the royals and their accoutrements:

Queen Elizabeth II

The Duchess of Cornwall

Princess Beatrice of York

Princess Eugenie of York

The Countess of Wessex

The Princess Royal

Viscountess Linley
Lady Sarah Chatto 

The Duchess of Kent

Princess Michael of Kent

Princess Alexandra of Kent

The Duchess of Gloucester

Lady Helen Taylor

(featuring the antics of Estella Taylor)

Now, let's give out our awards!

Best Dressed:  The Duchess of Cornwall

Worst Dressed:  Princess Eugenie of York

And a very special award...

Most Entertaining Royal of the Day:  Estella Taylor

Who wins your best and worst dressed awards?

Photos: Indigo/Getty Images/Ian Gavan/Zimbio