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

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

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: November 12-19, Plus More Stuff

Best in Regular Stuff

Crown Princess Victoria

Mathilde at a couple palace events and visiting a hospital; Kate out and about at a charity; Mary at a meeting; Victoria at the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences' formal gathering, at a couple engagements and holding an audience

Call this the non-trip category - and call Victoria the winner, if only for giving us at least one evening gown, even if it is a repeat and even if it is another almost-tiara-but-not occasion.

Brightest in Trips

Queen Máxima

Yesterday we caught up with the traveling Danes and Spaniards, today we have a partial selection of the Dutch on their ongoing introductory trip to the Caribbean. Máx on a big trip is usually like catnip to me, so I'm not sure why this one's left me feeling rather meh so far. Ah, well, they're not done yet. No matter what, I remain impressed at her ability to dig up so many neon-flavored outfits.

And an Honorable Mention to...

The Hats of National Day in Monaco

Video, above

Charlene's coat is giving me Star Trek bathrobe vibes, but you have to give the Monaco crew: those were some actual hats. All hats or no hats, no fascinator shenanigans here.

And One Last Addition...

The Countess of Wessex

Video, above

So much going on right now, I nearly forgot to give Sophie her proper due for rocking her Benjamin Button fabulousness in Valentino red while celebrating Doctor Who at Buckingham Palace. Do you think if I wrote to the palace really nicely, I could get her secret for de-aging? Because I'm just getting older over here, and it's not fair.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Belga/Getty Images/VTM Nieuws/WPA Pool/Kongehuset/Scanpix/Kungahuset/TT/Lehtikuva/DutchPhotoPress/ANP/NOS

Royal Trip Report: The Danes in Australia

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. 

Which trip outfit is your favorite?

Photos: Getty Images/Pool/BT/Scanpix

Flashback Friday: Máxima at Royal Weddings

Our recent taste of Dutch wedding style coupled with the reappearance of Queen Máxima's wedding tiara (which she wore both at her own wedding and as a guest at a few others) put me right in the mood for a little Máx flashback, in the form of her appearances as a royal wedding guest. It's a plentiful field, actually, thanks to the multitude of weddings in the extended Dutch royal family and the fact that she got an early start as a royal attendee during her engagement. A selection, including a few of the pre-wedding events:

She started slow, attending the first two here before her own wedding. And then she explodes in a riot of color not long after marrying, at Märtha Louise's wedding - but even a lack of color (à la her black and white for Friso and Mabel's celebration) is not lacking for flair. She can work a big hat, yes she can.

Of course, there is such a thing as too much of a big hat thing...ahem, 2005. This would be the one outfit for which I agree that the red should have been left at home - but it's the whole thing that's too too here, not just the color. In a muted color, the large hat makes the outfit for Felipe and Letizia's wedding, and makes it one of my favorite Máxima ensembles.

The pale pink 2004 Spanish outfit might just be my favorite here, but it has seriously steep competition from the pale pink in Britain in 2011. I feel like one of the tiara appearances should be my favorite because, well, I'm me, but in this case I think the hats are taking home the prize.

Which appearance is your favorite?

Photos: RVD/Scanpix/Getty Images/Gamma Rapho/Rex/DutchPhotoPress/PPE/WireImage

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

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: Princess Madeleine's Wedding

Last but not least in our coverage of Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill's wedding comes the guests, gowns and tiaras and all. Specific info on tiaras and orders/sashes will be below each category, since those are always popular questions. And before we get started, if you missed the wedding (or just want to watch again), it is streaming at SVT for a limited time. Okay, here we go:

Best in Trains

A Tie

Left to Right: Princess Marie of Denmark, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

These ladies set the stage for a pastel guest line up, but they get special recognition for bringing it in the form of lovely trains, despite this being a lower key affair. Marie didn't catch my eye in the broadcast, but on further review this is really quite lovely; Märtha Louise is surprisingly understated and also purple; and Mette-Marit has done the layered pastel thing a zillion times, but she gets me every time and resistance is futile. I like them all!

Tiara roundup (click here for a better look, and on the tiara names for a specific post if one exists): Marie - Marie's Diamond Floral Tiara, Märtha Louise - smaller version of Queen Maud's Pearl and Diamond Tiara, Mette-Marit - Amethyst Necklace Tiara.
Sashes: Marie - Order of the Elephant (Denmark), Märtha Louise and Mette-Marit - Order of the Polar Star (Sweden).

Best in Haga Princesses

Princess Margaretha

L to R: Princesses Christina, Margaretha, Birgitta, and Désirée of Sweden

A mixed bag from the bride's aunts, an extension of our post on the royal family. I pick...Margaretha, I guess, because she let us see the Baden Fringe Tiara, and she wore purple. Last pass just because of purple, honest.

Tiara roundup: Christina - Six Button Tiara, Margaretha - Baden Fringe Tiara, Birgitta - Connaught Tiara, Désirée - Cut Steel Tiara.
Sashes: Order of the Seraphim (Sweden) for all.

Best in Tiara Intrigue

Princess Anna

L to R: the Countess of Wessex, Princess Theodora of Greece, Princess Anna of Bavaria, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg

We had a rousing round of tiara guessing in advance of this wedding, and there were several ladies with interesting choices to make. Sophie did indeed opt for her Five Aquamarine Tiara, though she paired it with a pretty blah dress I'd say. Theodora borrowed her sister Princess Alexia's diamond tiara, though once again I think we need to talk about dress fit. Stéphanie picked another new-to-her tiara from the Luxembourg vault, the Citrine (or Topaz) and Pearl Tiara, and could have made an interesting pair with her shimmery dress, but the execution is...lacking. So I'm giving it to Princess Anna; the ladies from Bavaria were a question mark because the tiara they usually wear was recently sold, but both Anna and her mother-in-law Princess Ursula wore tiaras anyway, unknown (to me) diamond numbers. (And that really is the last purple pass. I really promise this time.)

Oh! And one bonus piece of tiara intrigue: Princess Silvia d'Arenberg showed up wearing...Princess Sibilla's Art Deco Tiara! Apparently the families are close. I'll take any opportunity to see that gorgeous Luxembourg jewel.

Tiara roundup: Yeah, we just did that.
Sashes: Sophie - Royal Victorian Order (Britain), Theodora - Order of Saints Olga and Sophia (Greece), Stéphanie - Civil and Military Order of Merit of Adolph of Nassau (Luxembourg).

Best in Tiara Clashes

Princess Kelly

L to R: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Kelly of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Princess Charlene of Monaco

Continuing on in interesting tiara choices...these pairings I found a little questionable. I don't like the Midnight Tiara as much as some of you do, and I was surprised to see Mary wear it here - but even more surprised to see her pair its soft, cool gray tones with this dress (what are we calling that color...neon coral?) and the strong colors of her sash. I like the shape of her gown but could pass on the rest, I'm afraid. I thought the same of Kelly but to a lesser degree, as I love the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Turquoise Tiara and really only object to her sash here. She wins. And then there's Charlene, who paired her tree bark gown with the elusive Invisible Tiara, possibly heisted from my own personal collection. Pfft.

Tiara roundup: See above, again.
Sashes: Mary - Order of the Polar Star (Sweden), Kelly - Ducal Saxe-Coburg and Gotha House Order, Charlene - zilch, though she could have worn the Order of Saint-Charles.

Best of the Rest

Princess Marie-Chantal

L to R: Princess Tatiana of Greece, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Princess Benedikte of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Princess Takamado of Japan

Mixed bag time, to round up the ladies! I actually like all of these outfits - they all seem well-suited to their own ages/personal styles. I like good old M-C and her casual couture routine the best, despite the fact that she did walk a little close to the bridal white line.

Tiara roundup: Tatiana - Antique Corsage Tiara, Marie-Chantal - her fringe tiara, Benedikte - Queen Ingrid's Star and Spike Tiara, Hisako - her own tiara.
Sashes: Tatiana and Marie-Chantal - Order of Saints Olga and Sophia (Greece), Benedikte - Order of the Polar Star (Sweden), Hisako - Order of the Precious Crown (Japan).

Best in Gents

Crown Prince Pavlos

L to R (click to enlarge): Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Prince Joachim of Denmark, Crown Prince Pavlos and Prince Nikolaos and Prince Philippos of Greece, Ari Behn, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, the Earl of Wessex

Non-comprehensive (like the rest of this entry), obviously, but a sampling of the gentlemen will close us out. My favorite is Pavlos. Uniformed? No. Dapper, suave, etc.? Oh, yes. We'll make it a matched pair, one prize for him and one for his lovely wife M-C.

Tiara roundup: That'd be something to see, wouldn't it?
Sashes: Frederik and Haakon - Order of the Seraphim (Sweden), Joachim - Order of the Polar Star (Sweden), Pavlos and Nikolaos and Philippos - Order of the Redeemer (Greece), Ari - Order of the Crown (Netherlands), Guillaume - Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (Luxembourg), Edward - Order of the Garter (Britain).

Who made your best dressed list?

Photos: Getty Images/Scanpix/PPE/AP/AFP

Princess Madeleine’s Wedding: The Bride

Princess Madeleine of Sweden married Mr. Christopher O’Neill in the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace in Stockholm today, and it was an event packed with gowns and tiaras and adorableness. With more posts to come, we begin with the star of the day: the bride (with appearances, of course, by her dashing groom!).

Video: The bride's entrance

Princess Madeleine’s wedding gown was designed by Valentino, and it was a summer confection in delicate lace. The official description, courtesy of the Royal Court:

“The wedding dress is made from pleated silk organza with appliquéd ivory-coloured Chantilly lace. The upper section of the bodice is lace with a deep-cut back. Narrow vertical pleats open up from the accentuated waist, above the wide skirt, which ends with a four-metre-long train. The veil is also silk organza, and is edged with tulle scatted with point d'esprit dots and small Chantilly lace orange blossom. The Princess's shoes are ivory white organdy with woven point d'esprit dots.”

In shape – with a wide neckline, short sleeves, and emphasized waist – it reminded me of Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding gown, though the material makes it completely different. The 6 meter long veil extended past the train in the back and made a lovely picture sweeping up the aisle.

She walked down the aisle to meet her groom, who was nervously fighting back tears dressed in white tie. Though he has declined a royal title, he did receive a royal order: around his neck, the Swedish Order of the Polar Star, which is a lower honor than the Order of the Seraphim which we're used to seeing the royal family wear. (Fitting, obviously, given his current plans to continue on his own path.)

In advance of the wedding, we wondered if Princess Madeleine would stick to any of the family bridal traditions, including wearing the Cameo Tiara and the family veil. But Madeleine went her own direction and didn’t following either, in a new veil and the Modern Fringe Tiara accented with sprigs of orange blossom. To her diamond tiara, she added large diamond drop earrings from the Bernadotte collection and a diamond bracelet.

She did follow one tradition: she used myrtle from a bush brought to Sweden by Princess Margaret of Connaught following her 1905 wedding. Myrtle was included in her bouquet along with a selection of white garden roses and lilies of the valley.

I don’t know what I was expecting Princess Madeleine to wear, but this gown surprised me. I think I was expecting more, somehow, for whatever reason. I was surprised by her tiara selection, as I thought (and hoped) she would opt for something that we haven’t seen her in so very many times, and a little disappointed by the lack of either traditional veil or tiara, just because I find traditions like these so precious. But it was Madeleine’s look and hers alone, and in hindsight, it’s not surprising she chose to do her own thing. Final verdict: completely lovely and perfect for a summer wedding, though perhaps not something that will stick in my memory.

What did you think of Madeleine’s wedding gown?

Photos: Pool/Scanpix/Getty Images

Flashback Friday: Madeleine's Recent Gowns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Royal Trip Report: Everybody's Coming to America (Plus More)

All the royal peoples headed to the U.S. last week. To my great disappointment, it was not for the purpose of remaking any Eddie Murphy films. But we can look at what they wore anyway. I suppose.

We start with the obvious: HARRY. IN UNIFORM. RED (make that GINGER) ALERT.

Video: Day 1 of the Warrior Games

Harry was in D.C. and then Colorado, and there were 1) uniforms and 2) FLOTUS cuteness and 3) Olympian cuteness and 4) so, so much more. A+.

Of course, Prince Harry got the most fanfare, but we know better - other royals deserve some attention too:

Come on down, Haakon and Mette-Marit! On down to Texas, specifically, where the Norwegian crown princely couple started their tour (click here for your Haakon fix via video). Their five day tour also took them to California, where in addition to official engagements, they hit a rock concert for a Norwegian band, because why not. Mette-Marit was back on her best daytime form, I thought - simple and mostly white, with some pops of color for good measure. My favorite was the yellow Valentino with the white coat; least favorite...probably the Chanel with the long coat and pleated skirt, which she paired with some serious braids (click here for an overview with a look at some of the details, including that 'do).

Oh, and if that red Valentino coat looks familiar...see her coat for the Luxembourg wedding. Now that's bulk buying.

Paying a visit to the U.N. in New York City was Queen Máxima, who met with Ban Ki-Moon. It was the second occasion in the week (the first being a family outing to a concert) when she showed up with her hair up, which I think is some kind of record. Mark it on the calendars, kids. Her visit was pretty much an incognito one; actually, Crown Princess Mary was in New York prior to the Dutch inauguration, also an extremely quiet trip.

Queen Máx just missed another Queen in NYC - Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf started out a visit to America there, hanging out with Princess Madeleine and future son-in-law Chris O'Neill. (Silvia's Moschino jacket was previously worn by Madeleine - which allows me to dream up a scenario in which Madeleine critiques Silvia's tour wardrobe What Not To Wear-style before letting her leave New York, and this amuses me.) They've visited a few eastern locales, including a gala dinner in Delaware with the next best thing to actual tiaras: tiaras as necklaces, specifically the ruby and diamond tiara that once belonged to Crown Princess Margaret. (Rubies and diamonds made for a subtly red, white, and blue outfit for the Queen, I couldn't help but notice.)

With Europe practically emptied out, there isn't much "regular" activity to cover this week.

Mathilde at a conference; Letizia visiting Seville and at a Royal Guards ceremony

But a pretty good week for Letizia, no? I continue to like her her double strappy nude heels.

Which U.S. trip is your favorite?

Photos: Kongehuset/Scanpix/Getty Images/U.N./Kungahuset/Reuters/DelawareOnline/BestImage

Runway to Royal: The Dutch Inauguration

I said we were done with coverage of King Willem-Alexander's inauguration, but...uh...I lied. Because while we talked about the outfits, and the jewels, and a few of the designers (Jan Taminiau and Jan Taminiau!), we didn't talk about the rest of the designers. Today, a round up of some of the identified designers we haven't already covered in depth - and feel free to add additional designers in the comments!

Apart from Taminiau, Natan was the designer that got the most mentions during our previous coverage. A custom version of a previous look was provided for Queen Máxima for the abdication, and bespoke outfits (and capes) for the little princesses were made - the modifications to the basic design were picked out by the princesses themselves. Natan also provided couture looks for Princess Laurentien and Princess Mathilde for the inauguration, and both paired them with Fabienne Delvigne hats.

But Natan wasn't the sole dresser for these ladies: for the abdication, the princesses wore matching off-the-rack dresses from Pili Carrera. Princess Laurentien also wore dresses from Hardies in The Hague, and Olvi's brand.

Another Dutch designer who fared very well at the festivities was Addy van den Krommenaker, who did quite a few dresses for Queen Beatrix's sisters and their families. Modekoningin Máxima had great coverage of the festivities from a Dutch fashion perspective, including the eagle eyes for all these and Laurentien's designers.

Unsurprisingly, Princess Mabel stuck with her wedding gown designers, Viktor & Rolf. Her red gown is actually a repeat. Though it was reported that the bow on her inauguration dress came from the wedding gown, it looks like that's not true - though the inspiration for the selection seems clear.

Also unsurprisingly, Valentino made several appearances. Máxima repeated an older gown, while Mette-Marit (always a Valentino fan) and Sheikha Mozah had new couture to show off. The Qatari royal family actually bought the Italian fashion house a while ago, so I suppose you could say she was representing the home team.

The Duchess of Cornwall was dressed in bespoke Bruce Oldfield, and wore a repeated Philip Treacy fascinator to the inauguration. Princess Letizia was dressed by Felipe Varela, including a repeated navy gown. This is yet another un-shocker...I picture her closet as row after row of Varela garment bags with, like, some Mango bags stuffed in the back. Her hat - now that was something different, you can count on one hand the number of times we've seen her in a fancy hat - was from Maria Nieto.

Crown Princess Mary represented Denmark well, in bespoke Birgit Hallstein (thanks to the commenter that linked to Hallstein's Facebook page featuring shots of the gown in progress), Charlotte Lynggaard, and a repeated Jesper Høvring gown. Crown Princess Mette-Marit found her fix of long printed gowns at Giambattista Valli for the pre-inauguration dinner.

Elie Saab was represented by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie and Crown Princess Victoria, who repeated an older gown. Victoria also threw in some Escada for the ceremony, paired with a Philip Treacy hat, and bejeweled Jenny Packham with a By Malina coat to wrap it up.

Who had the best designer-to-royal match?

Photos: ANP/Natan/Getty Images/NOS/Pili Carrera/DutchPhotoPress/PPE/Viktor&Rolf/Style.com/Jesper Høvring/Elie Saab

Royal Fashion Awards: The Dutch Pre-Inauguration Dinner

As it turns out, the dinner held by Queen Beatrix this evening was indeed black tie as many had suspected – but it was black tie with tiaras! Maybe those royals really do love us magpies after all. Gowns and tiaras, with no further ado…

Best in Surprises

Queen Beatrix

L to R: Princess Máxima, Queen Beatrix, Princess Laurentien

We didn’t get to see the Stuart Tiara, but the ladies threw us a few surprises anyway. At first glance, it seemed Máxima (curiously wearing a repeated Valentino dress, which is ever so Máx but not exactly right for these jewels, methinks) had worn the Stuart Diamond as a pendant. But a better look proved that it is not that pear drop delight after all (still, a treasure from the depths of the vault). Fear not, Stuart lovahs, for Laurentien still has a treat for you: her bow brooch comes from that same mega-parure…so maybe, just maybe, the whole thing has had its shoes polished and its hair trimmed and is ready to roll whenever Queen Máx says so. Since we didn’t get to see the Stuart, though, my best surprise goes to the Queen Bea, because she’s put the additional pearls on the tip top of the Württemberg tiara once again – that’s a big gun farewell for her!

Tiara breakdown, click here for a better look and then on the tiara names for more coverage: Máx in the Rose Cut Diamond Bandeau, Bea in the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara, Laurentien in the Dutch Aquamarine Tiara.

Best of the Rest of the Dutch

Princess Margriet

L to R: Princess Mabel, Princess Margriet, Princess Christina, Princess Irene

Just as Máx repeated her swishiest red, so did Mabel. Not exactly my pick for a flattering gown, but she’s there, so there’s that. Princess Margriet and Christina went the understated and lovely route, and Irene went the picnic tablecloth route. Margriet wins because I do like seeing her reunited with her wedding tiara. (They’ve emptied a good chunk of the vault tonight…can we refine our guesses for Máx for tomorrow?)

Tiara watch: Mabel in the all-diamond small version of the Mellerio Sapphire Tiara (her wedding tiara), Margriet in the Pearl Button Tiara, Christina in the Laurel Wreath, and Irene in the Antique Pearl. 

Best in Traditional

Princess Lalla Salma and Princess Sarvath

L to R: Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, Princess Sarvath El Hassan of Jordan, Crown Princess Sarah of Brunei

Stepping outside of the Dutch royals, first we have the ladies that stick to traditional types of dress from their home countries. They all look lovely – but look! Lalla Salma is wearing a tiara! Pretty sure that hasn’t happened since her wedding day, so this is a big.jewel.deal. She shares the title with Sarvath, though, because of purple.

Tiara inventory: Lalla Salma’s rocking diamonds with cut outs, like a converted necklace, Sarvath is in diamond floral (the same as Princess Zeina wore on her wedding day, I think), and Sarah is wearing her wedding tiara. 

Best in…Nice Try, Dear

Princess Letizia

L to R: Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess of Asturias, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

I don’t have a Worst title to dish out tonight, but there were a few ladies that get simple pats on the head from me. Nice try…but not quite, my loves. First, we have Sophie and Camilla, who get a meh for the dresses (with an extra eh? for Cams who has chosen to stitch together two different gowns at the strangest place) but a whoop! for the Big Mama Fringe and Big Mama Boucheron tiaras. Then we have Stéphanie, who is wearing Elie Saab. And let this be a lesson to those of you that say I like anyone just because of Saab: this isn’t working. The styling, the hair, the security blanket wrap, nah. There’s Mette-Marit on the edge there, and, well, it’s not quite as nightgown-y as I thought it might be at first glance. (Blah blah damning with faint praise blah blah.) Finally, I know many of you are loving Letizia this evening, and while I’m not quite on board with you there, she has ended a loooong tiara drought and she has done so in perhaps my favorite Spanish tiara, so huzzah and such for that.

Tiara check: Sophie in the Habsburg Fringe, Camilla in the Boucheron Honeycomb, Letizia in the Mellerio Floral, Stéphanie in Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde's Tiara, Mette-Marit in the Diamond Daisy. 

Best of the Best

Crown Princess Mary

L to R: Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

You know, Mathilde is worth following just for the one or two evening appearances a year where she truly knocks it out of the park – and this is one. The train, the extra jewels (Queen Fabiola’s brooch on her shoulder), delicious. Equally delicious is Victoria, who is pretty much wearing all of my favorite things, but that’s still not enough to take this prize from Mary. This dress, this dress, I’m obsessed with this dress! Enchanting. Enough so that I shall forgive her for the piddly tiara and give her my Best Dressed crown to wear instead.

Tiaras tiaras clicky clicky: Mathilde in her Laurel Wreath, Mary in her Wedding Tiara, Victoria in Queen Josephine’s Amethysts.

Who was your best dressed tonight?

Photos: Getty Images/Pool/PPE/BT/AFP