Tuesday Tidbits for November 27: Thieves! (And a Jordan Update)

Oh dear:

--The Portland Tiara was stolen last week. Thieves broke into the Portland Collection Gallery at the Welbeck Estate, smashed the armored display case, and made off with the valuable and historically important Cartier tiara, plus a diamond brooch. The brooch was created from diamond clusters that were once a part of the tiara. We covered the tiara's story a couple years ago, when it went on display to the public along with a rotating selection of treasures from the collection of the Dukes of Portland at their country estate. Horrendous news. [Nottingham Post]

The Portland Tiara
Nottinghamshire Police

The diamond brooch, also stolen
Nottinghamshire Police

--Over at the Jewel Vault, the Queen flipped things around for a change.

--What has Queen Rania been up to? Patterns, that's what. First, a cozy coat for a proud mom moment watching Princess Salma's Commissioning Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Royal Hashemite Court Instagram

--And second, a really fun Andrew GN number as she and King Abdullah visited Japan. [Twitter]

Queen Rania Instagram

Coming up this week: Covering our M bases, I guess, with Máxima, Mathilde, and Mary. Also, a state visit from China to Spain.

Tidbits is your spot for royal topics we haven't covered separately on the blog, all week long. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Royal Outfit Grab Bag of the Day: Máxima, Victoria, Rania, Charlene

Checking in with a few other leading ladies before we head back to Sussexland...

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited Zeeland this week.

Shockingly enough, Máxima has been up to a bunch of hats and bright colors. (Warming up for her state visit to the UK next week, I hope.) This skirt reminds me of aerial photos of tulip fields. Claes Iversen shared a little Instagram look at these skirts from his Spring/Summer 2017 collection and how they're made. Very delicate and detailed.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited Jordan, where they were received by King Abdullah and Queen Rania. The Swedish couple are also visiting Lebanon.
Royal Hashemite Court

Is it possible to avoid overdoing the design details on a dress by simply overloading it so much that your eyes have no choice but to gloss over some of the fussier bits? Victoria's dress is an experiment seeking an answer. (Mermaid scales. That's all I can get from this whole thing.) She does end up sort of pleasingly color-coordinated with Queen Rania's Ralph & Russo ensemble, though.

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Princess Charlene attended the 2018 Princess Grace Awards Gala.

Charlene doesn't do the big toothy grin thing in posed photos (which is her prerogative! I'm over people demanding smiles at all times) - and you don't even need one here to tell that she's quite pleased with her sassy Ralph Lauren evening suit. Blazers slung over the shoulders remain on my pet peeves list, but if there's someone who can pull this look off, it's Char.

Monday Tidbits for June 11: Birthdays and Anniversaries

ICYMI, on Saturday we covered Trooping the Colour and on Friday we covered Princess Adrienne's christening. This weekend was also packed with some big birthdays and anniversaries, but first, some sad news:

--I expect you have already heard this tragic news: Inés Zorreguieta, younger sister of Queen Máxima, passed away at the age of 33. A spokesperson for the Dutch government information service said it was likely a suicide. Inés Zorreguieta was one of her sister's bridesmaids and was godmother to Princess Ariane. Arriving last night for the Dutch royal couple's planned state visit to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania - which he will now undertake alone - King Willem-Alexander said: "The death has been a big shock to us and has very much taken us in. Inés was unique and deeply dear to us, so the grief is great." I hope the family gets the privacy they need at this sad time. [BBC, NOS]

--We're going to make a hard pivot now to a much happier subject: BOOKS. Crown Princess Mette-Marit was in her happy place last week on her annual literature train tour, riding through scenic Norway and talking about books. (So, living the dream.) She shared this lovely photo as she was getting ready. [Instagram]

Christian Lagaard, Det kongelige hoff

--One more Norway thing: Queen Sonja's next exhibit at the Queen Sonja Art Stable will include some of the royal family's bunads! The exhibition is called Tradition and Inspiration and includes traditional dress and other artworks. It opens June 20. [Kongehuset]

--As noted, there were a bunch of wedding anniversaries and birthdays marked this weekend. The Duke of Edinburgh, whose presence was truly missed at Trooping the Colour, celebrated his 97th birthday on Sunday. [Express]

--Princess Madeleine celebrated her 36th birthday on Sunday. The royal court released a beautiful new picture taken at Friday's christening. (A teaser for the official christening photos, which have now been added to the christening post.)

Erika Gerdemark, Kungahuset.se

--King Abdullah and Queen Rania celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on Sunday. Rania married in a Bruce Oldfield gown back in 1993, and it's quite a difference from her current style.

--Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako also celebrated their silver wedding anniversary this weekend, answering some questions from the press and releasing some new photos with their dog. The couple are set to become Emperor and Empress next year, following Emperor Akihito's abdication on April 30, 2019. [Mainichi]

--And finally, over at the Jewel Vault: A day out with Camilla and some doggos, another opportunity to snoop around the pictures in QEII's audience room, and a day out with Charles to see a cool new gallery.

Coming up this week: We'll cover Meghan's day with the Queen, and more...

Tidbits is your spot for royal topics we haven't covered separately on the blog, all week long. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Royal Visit of the Day: Máxima and Rania Collide in the Netherlands

A state visit from Jordan to the Netherlands was scheduled for 2017, then it was cancelled/postponed, and then it was rescheduled for this week - but downgraded to an official visit. Still, at long last, the fashion forces of Queen Máxima and Queen Rania have collided as promised!

Instagram/queenrania

The official welcome ended up being a pretty tidy summation of both ladies' styles: one with all the cape and hat action you can stand, the other sleek and simple with a twist (that twist, in this instance, being a button configuration that leaves me permanently searching for the fictional missing pair). Obviously I love the cape on Máxima's Claes Iversen coat, although I can't help but feel like the whole thing smothers her in tan. Rania's fresh light blue is a welcome relief for the first day of Spring.

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At the official dinner: Prince Constantijn, Princess Margriet, Queen Rania, King Abdullah, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Beatrix

We have another textbook definition of her personal style from Queen Máxima in the evening, because oh YES, this is a ruffled formal banana frock and I kinda love it and that's Máx Magic for you.

Instagram/queenrania

Rania, on the other hand, is pretty tame compared to her usual and actually went with a traditional choice. She thanked the women of the Basmet Al-Khair Charitable Society for her traditional Jordanian dress on her Instagram. I love the sleeve details.

The switch to an official visit meant a formal, white tie state banquet was replaced with an official dinner. So no tiaras this time around. But Máxima wouldn't let a visit from fellow monarchs go entirely un-bedazzled, now would she?

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Of course she wouldn't. She adorned her Claes Iversen dress with the Stuart (House Diamond) Necklace with the pendants removed. It's the second time she's worn it; it's been shortened by a few links or worn back a bit so that it matches up with the neckline of the dress and as a result, these two things work together against all odds. Bless her, trying to soothe our tiara loss by wearing a serious royal necklace with her ruffled formal banana frock.

Royal Outfits of the Day: Letizia, Rania, Mary, and Suits

Quick note: The blog returns on Monday!

A trio of updates from royal ladies and the suits that love them. Or suit separates. Or not really suits but just go with it because. 

King Felipe and Queen Letizia presented the Gold Medals of Merit in Fine Arts yesterday.

House of HM the King

I'm sorry, royal men, did you think you had a monopoly in the blue suit department? Step aside. Letizia's contribution accomplishes the same thing as all the blue suits on the gents, really: gets the job done and not much more. Thank goodness for a polka dot blouse.

Queen Rania attended a meeting with King Abdullah in mid-January.

Instagram/queenrania

You want a sharp take on a trouser, Rania's your queen. In this case, it's maybe...90% sharp.

Crown Princess Mary presented the Designers' Nest awards at Copenhagen Fashion Week last week.

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The least suit-like thing here (she had a matching coat on arrival, sort of, still not suit-ish, hey) is also the most interesting. An interesting color combination accessorized by leopard print shoes, which I love. Leopard as a neutral is nearly as excellent as a purple neutral in my book.

Monday Tidbits for January 22: A Royal Engagement and More

Windsor Castle's going to get a royal wedding workout in 2018, huh?

--Princess Eugenie is engaged to Jack Brooksbank! The announcement was made today. They'll marry at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, in Autumn 2018.

--Crown Prince Haakon's trying his hand at the royal parent-turned-photographer game with this most casual of snaps, released to celebrate Princess Ingrid Alexandra's 14th birthday.

HRH The Crown Prince

--Celebrity style twin alert: Here's Laura Dern on the awards circuit, trying out the same Stella McCartney dress we saw on Queen Rania back in October. Both demonstrating how a pair of shoes can change the dressiness of a look, I'd say. [Zimbio]

--Royal style twin alert: Queen Letizia's joining the ranks of royals who go shopping in the closets of family members for a little vintage flair. Vanitatis reports that the striped dress Letizia wore to King Juan Carlos' 80th birthday was one worn by her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, back in 1984. It intrigues me that, of all the things Sofia must be keeping, this is the one she picked. [Vanitatis]

A post shared by Royal Addicted (@royaladdicted2) on Jan 19, 2018 at 12:03pm PST

--More birthday snaps released by the Dutch royal house, who celebrated the 75th birthday of Princess Margriet (sister of Princess Beatrix, aunt of King Willem-Alexander) with a couple new portraits.

RVD/Anko Stoffels

--And finally, plenty of updates over at the Jewel Vault: a peek into what the royals were gifted in 2017, a new-to-the-blog and super rare brooch from the Queen, and three lovely royal church-going outfits from the weekend.


Tidbits is your spot for royal topics we haven't covered separately on the blog, all week long. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Readers' Favorite Outfits of 2017, Day Division: The Results, Part 2!

I thought there were some real surprises at the top of the pile from your day division favorites. Let's investigate (and click here for #6-10!):

#5. Princess Madeleine at Crown Princess Victoria's 40th Birthday in Erdem

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I honestly forgot about this appearance entirely when making my own lists of 2017 bests, but I can't argue with all the affection for it in the final vote. Erdem has served Princess Madeleine well.

#4. Queen Rania at Jordan's Independence Day

Instagram/@queenrania

Did this Queen Rania outfit make the list because of this seriously fierce wind-blown photo? Yes. Do you think creating a moment like this is an accident? No. That's planning, and planning is as much a factor in a good royal outfit as anything else, if you ask me. (By the way, some wondered why this outfit wasn't classified in the evening section. I kept it in the day section because Queen Rania's outfits for this event include a nod to traditional style - albeit often in her own, high fashion way - and therefore it is not something that I'd expect to see used as an evening gown on another occasion.)

#3. Princess Eugenie at Royal Ascot in Preen

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One of my personal favorite Ascot outfits last year got a lot of love from your votes, and I hope this silhouette and this color gets a lot of love from Princess Eugenie in the future. It's such a good match.

#2. Crown Princess Victoria at Prince Gabriel's Christening in Pär Engsheden

Erika Gerdemark/Kungahuset.se

The reds are a good match for anyone, as this voting has made clear. Crown Princess Victoria's sharp turn at December's Swedish christening makes her the second and final royal to earn double spots on your top 10.

#1. Queen Máxima at the Woman 20 Summit in Natan

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And there it is, the biggest surprise of all: I wouldn't generally call daywear Queen Máxima's strongest suit, but an excellent pose and an assist from a coordinated bouquet has elevated her and her favorite designer to the very top of your 2017 favorites. Well done, Máx!

Any surprises for you? Did your favorites make the cut?

Readers' Favorite Outfits of 2017, Day Division: Place Your Votes!

Our year end fun continues with, as promised, a little voting action! It's time to pick your official (yeah, right) favorite outfits from 2017...

I decided to split this into two votes: a day division and an evening division, for double the fun. I've picked 25 of our favorite outfits worn in 2017 from each division for your eeny-meeny-miny-moe-ing pleasure - not necessarily the 25 most commented on outfits, but something of a well-rounded selection with (hopefully) something for everyone.

First up: the day division! Links to past coverage are included below. You may select up to three outfits to vote for. Vote in the poll at the bottom of the page. (If you're unable to see the poll, try a different browser.) Voting will be open through noon Eastern time on January 2nd.

UPDATE: The poll is now closed.

(One note: There are a few outfits that could go either way, day or evening, so I just picked and we'll roll with it.)

Kungahuset/Cour grand-ducale/Kensington Palace

1. Crown Princess Victoria at Prince Gabriel's Christening

2. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa at Luxembourg's National Day in Yves Dooms (also worn with a hat)

3. Princess Sofia at Prince Gabriel's Christening in folk dress

4. The Duchess of Cambridge at the V&A in Gucci

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5. Princess Eugenie at Royal Ascot in Preen

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6. Queen Máxima at the Woman 20 Summit in Natan

Belgian Monarchy/SVT/Cour grand-ducale/Casa Real

 7. Queen Mathilde at Belgium's National Day in Natan
8. Crown Princess Victoria at her 40th Birthday in Pär Engsheden
9. Queen Mathilde at the Danish/Belgian State Visit in Esmeralda Ammoun
10. Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie at Luxembourg's National Day in Paule Ka
11. Queen Letizia at the Spanish/British State Visit in Felipe Varela

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12. The Countess of Wessex at Royal Ascot in Emilia Wickstead

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13. Queen Máxima at the Mozambique Visit in Roksanda Ilincic (also worn without the hat and with different jewelry)

Jan Taminiau/Casa Real/Belgian Monarchy/MoD

14. Queen Máxima at Koningsdag in Jan Taminiau (with a matching dress and hat; see link)
15. Queen Letizia at Spain's National Day in Felipe Varela (later repeated)
16. Crown Princess Mary at the Danish/Belgian State Visit in Claes Iversen (later worn with purple accessories at the Opening of Parliament)
17. Queen Elizabeth at Trooping the Colour in Stewart Parvin (also worn to a Garden Party)

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18. Princess Madeleine at Crown Princess Victoria's 40th Birthday in Erdem

Kensington Palace/BBC/Billed-Bladet/CasaReal

19. The Duchess of Cambridge in Paris in Chanel
20. The Duchess of Cambridge at Remembrance Sunday in Dolce & Gabbana
21. Crown Princess Mary at the Reformation Anniversary
22. Queen Letizia at the UNICEF Awards in Carolina Herrera (also worn for the Peru Visit)

Instagram/Kongehuset/Kungahuset

23. Queen Rania at Jordan's Independence Day
24. Queen Sonja in a Birthday Portrait
25. Crown Princess Victoria in a Birthday Portrait


You may vote for up to THREE outfits. Ready? VOTE:

Royal Outfits of the Day: Letizia, Victoria, and Rania Get the Blues

A color-coordinated grab bag to wrap up our week:

King Felipe and Queen Letizia attended a concert for the Princess of Asturias awards yesterday.

CasaReal

Letizia clearly heard some of you wondering how her joyas de pasar bracelets would've looked on Máxima with that bold Jan Taminiau dress last week, and she would like you to know that they are TAKEN, thankyouverymuch. Hands off her preciouses. (This Felipe Varela-clad event leads up the annual Princess of Asturias Awards, and we'll be covering that later as always.)

Crown Princess Victoria attended a seminar in connection with the centenary of Finnish independence this week.

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Of all the concerning things about this outfit (and it bears a striking resemblance to my local car wash, so there are a few), the blue tone of the stockings might just be the most alarming. I think, in general, it's wise to avoid the Violet Beauregarde look.

Queen Rania attended a King's Academy event recently.

Instagram/@queenrania

This might be the most luxe take on a mural dress I've seen, and I might be into it. Yeah. Chalk up another win for Stella McCartney (surprisingly enough).

Stella McCartney V-Neck Cape Dress with sequin embellishment (h/t to Heaven)

Royal Outfits of the Day: An Instagram Grab Bag

Here comes a grab bag straight from the world of royal Instagram, an assortment of outfits ranging from interesting!, to uh..."interesting":

Queen Rania attended Amman fashion week.
Instagram/@queenrania

Did she miss my rants about SHOOTIES? Is that what this is about? Otherwise, it's fashion week, and Queen Rania's gonna Queen Rania. (My caps lock-required term encompasses shooties, booties, or whatever you want to call them, by the way - as long as they're worn with a shorter skirt or pant in the stumpiest of ways.)

Crown Princess Mette-Marit with medalists from Eurosurf 2017.
Instagram/@crownprincessmm

Are we sure that Mette-Marit isn't pulling off the world's most elaborate Little House on the Prairie cosplay? You can't really be sure, can you.

Bijou heart-print dress with Victorian-inspired details, from Ganni (per Heaven)
MyTheresa

Go ahead and yell at me that it's NOT a "prairie dress", and I just don't understand TRENDS (as some of you always do when this topic arises), but listen, it's definitely also a long cosplay con.

Greece's Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana attended the One Greece 2017 Sydney Gala Dinner in Australia.
Instagram/@tatianablatnik

Let's end this with a reason to use your caps lock powers for good, because GASP and OOHHHHHH! Tatiana's relationship with Greek designer Celia Kritharioti just keeps going from strength to strength, and those strengths now include capes and I LOVE.

Tiara Thursday: Queen Rania's Tiaras

Sound the tiara alarms, another monarchy-to-monarchy state visit has been announced: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will welcome King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan to the Netherlands for a state visit in November! It's never too early to start tiara speculation when a multiple tiara occasion is on the books, right?! Right. Of course, there's not much to speculate about on Rania's side of things, because she's worn her smallest tiara for basically everything recently, but a retrospective of all those she's worn can't hurt anyway. It's an interesting bunch! (As always, full stories are linked in the tiara's name for those we have featured.)

Queen Alia's Cartier Tiara

My favorite tiara ever worn by Queen Rania is not actually hers and, alas, is no longer worn by her. She borrowed this diamond tiara from her sister-in-law, Princess Haya, and wore it in the early years of King Abdullah's reign. It's such an interesting piece, no? I wish it was worn more often.

The Boucheron Emerald Ivy Tiara

A similarly fascinating tiara, this art piece of emeralds in black gold seems so well suited to a queen that puts her own spin on traditional royal gala gear. (Or for a garden nymph of some sort, either way.) It was a loan from Boucheron for a couple outings.

Queen Rania's Diamond Tiara

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It seemed for a while that this diamond tiara (which looks, at least, like it could be a converted necklace) was a new addition to Queen Rania's vault; but with only a few concentrated appearances several years back, I suppose it too could have been a loan.

The Arabic Scroll Tiara

This is the option Queen Rania chose to wear for the last Dutch state banquet she attended. Made for her, Arabic writing is woven seamlessly into the design. It too only has a couple appearances under its belt.

Queen Rania's Boucheron Bracelet Tiara

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The smallest of them all is also the only one that has appeared on any sort of consistent basis for the past several years, though Queen Rania does not have many occasions on which to wear a tiara in the first place. And despite me wishing for bigger pieces, always, I can't ever dispute that this suits her and her modern style.

Which Rania tiara is your favorite?

Royal Event of the Day: Jordan and Luxembourg at Sandhurst

A big royal gathering in Britain - hats and all - and not a Windsor in sight! That's because it wasn't a big royal to-do that brought sovereigns and more to the U.K. on Friday, it was family: Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan were among the graduates of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst taking part in the Sovereign's Parade. Military training at Sandhurst is a family tradition for both royal families; Princes William and Harry are also graduates of the academy.

Cour grand-ducale/Lola Velasco

The full floppy-brimmed crew from Luxembourg turned up in support (left to right above): Princess Alexandra, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Grand Duke Henrik, Prince Sébastien, Prince Louis, Princess Claire, and Prince Félix.

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Can it be that our fair MT has uncovered the one purple outfit that I'm just not crazy about? It can. It's that whole thing with the contrast between the pink-toned and blue-toned hues here. Nope.

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Stéphanie has no confusion about which side of her hue she wants to be on. She's as far on the Aqua Express as a person can get. Just not sure about the floaty dress with the heavier tweed jacket. About the only thing I am sure of here is that I need a great deal more information on Claire's shoes.

Queen Rania Facebook

 Jordan's crown prince also had the full support of his family (left to right above): Princess Salma, Queen Rania, King Abdullah II (who represented Queen Elizabeth II, inspecting the parade and giving a speech), Crown Prince Hussein, Prince Hashem, and Princess Iman. No hats in sight for these ladies; Queen Rania plays by her own rule book and formal hats aren't involved.

Queen Rania Facebook

Still, it seemed that she made an effort to go a little more basic than her usual style for the occasion - you can't really get more basic than a coat with a matching shoe, after all. But she had to throw in the asymmetrical waterfall hem for a little Rania touch. How else would we know it's really her?

Monday Tidbits for June 19: Uniforms, Both Nautical and Not

We did the Trooping the Colour thing over the weekend, and I'll be entering my Monday with Prince George's look of boredom firmly etched on my face. Let's see what we've got to distract us...

--There are few stories more compelling than that of the life of Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who passed away last week at the age of 93. One of the Duke of Edinburgh's first cousins and a more distant cousin of the Queen's, Patricia Knatchbull survived the IRA bombing that took the lives of her father and her son. We chatted a bit about her and her wedding last year, when we covered the Mountbatten Star Tiara. [New York Times]

--If Trooping the Colour didn't satisfy your need for Prince Harry in uniform, you'll be glad to know that he was very dashing indeed earlier in the week as he took the salute while attending Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade. [Telegraph]

Kensington Palace

--Royal Ascot is coming up this week and we will have coverage here as well as at the Jewel Vault. That means that we're about to see some of Princess Haya around here, so if you're not quite sure who she is, now's a great time to check out this interview with her. Get yourself familiarized before her couture show rolls into town. [Tatler]

--We've already seen several interesting brooch picks from QEII over at the Vault this month. She and Prince William had a touching joint engagement in London and - on the same day - she picked up a new garnet addition to her brooch collection. Then, over the weekend, she brought out one very rare diamond brooch (rare enough that I didn't even recognize it at first). My Ascot hopes are too high already.

--Do we think that the Duchess of Cambridge will ever run out of nautical-themed outfits for her many nautical-themed engagements? I appreciate that this one, at an event for the 1851 trust on Friday, isn't terribly literal. It's more classic than anything else. I like it a lot - but you rarely have to sell me on a cropped pant with a heel. [Zimbio]

1851 Trust

--And finally, while Kate was doing navy below and white up top, Morocco's Princess Lalla Salma flipped the script on that classic uniform. She sported a classic navy blazer with white trousers while she and King Mohammed VI hosted a visit from France's president and first lady. [Paris Match]

Coming up this week: A royal visit to Denmark and - as promised - Ascot galore...

Tidbits is your spot for topics we haven't covered on the blog. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Monday Tidbits for June 12: Double Anniversaries, Double Greetings

A sweet second meeting and twice the anniversary fun to kick off your week:

--Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at sea aboard the royal yacht, and the royal house shared a photo of the golden couple on Instagram. Henrik also celebrated his 83rd birthday this weekend.

Kongehuset

--The Japanese government has enacted a one-time use abdication law so that Emperor Akihito can step down. The transition is not expected to occur until the end of 2018. [Japan Times]

--Also in Japan, Sayako Kuroda (formerly Princess Nori, daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko) and Noriko Senge (formerly Princess Noriko of Takamado) appeared with members of the imperial family at a memorial service recently. As discussion continues over the imperial family's current scarceness of heirs (due to their male-only succession law) and possible upcoming scarceness of working family members (due to the law requiring women to give up their imperial status when they marry commoners), it's a nice reminder that giving up imperial status to marry doesn't mean cutting family ties. [Imperial Family of Japan Blog]

--Here's Prince Harry making people smile in the rain in Sydney, giving a big hug to a 97-year-old Victoria Cross widow he previously met on his Australian trip in 2015. HARRY. [Telegraph]

--And finally, also celebrating a wedding anniversary on social media on June 10, Queen Rania marked 24 years with King Abdullah. (Check out her wedding dress story here!)

حياتنا معا هي نعمة من الله عليّ- عيد زواج سعيد #حب #الأردن #حب_الأردن After 24 years, I still feel like the luckiest woman in the world! Happy anniversary, Your Majesty ❤ ‏#Love #Jordan #LoveJO

A post shared by Queen Rania Al Abdullah (@queenrania) on Jun 10, 2017 at 2:04am PDT

Coming up this week: A style twin moment on the red carpet, and more...

Tidbits is your spot for topics we haven't covered on the blog. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Monday Tidbits for June 5: Colors and Patterns and Pom-Poms, Oh My

Fabrics and pom-pom tiaras from around the world, right here:

--Japan's Princess Mako has been on a very colorful official visit to Bhutan, where she was received by the royal family. News of an impending engagement for Mako and a former classmate broke last month, by the way; the couple is expected to formally announce their engagement this summer. [Paris Match]

His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Facebook

--While we're on the subject, the Queen of Bhutan turned 27 on June 4, and the occasion was marked on Facebook with this stunning photo.

His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Facebook

--I'd love to see more tiaras worn in Monaco. A tiara of multi-colored pom-poms isn't exactly what I mean, but I'll give Tatiana Santo Domingo credit for her cheekiness. She certainly stood out in a headpiece from her own line, Muzungu Sisters, as she attended a function for Monaco's Fashion Week alongside her husband, Andrea Casiraghi, plus Beatrice Borromeo and Princess Alexandra of Hanover. [PurePeople]

--Sometimes Queen Mathilde brings along some friends for the Queen Elisabeth music competitions, and sometimes she puts together an interesting group: the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Sarvath El Hassan of Jordan joined her for the finals of the cello competition.

Belgian Monarchy Facebook

--Over at the Jewel Vault, the sunshine queen reigned again when QEII and Princess Alexandra spent a day at the races. And earlier in the week, one of my favorite outfits (and brooches) reappeared. It's a good one.

--Last but not least: Queen Rania picked her outfit for Jordan's Independence Day celebration just for this shot, and I will hear no other explanation. Wow.

A post shared by Queen Rania Al Abdullah (@queenrania) on May 27, 2017 at 2:59am PDT

Coming up this week: The jumpsuits are attacking again. Plus, a big wedding anniversary approaches...

Tidbits is your spot for topics we haven't covered on the blog. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Tuesday Tidbits for May 2: Even More Birthdays

And this isn't even a fraction of them all. We're gonna need a bigger cake...

--Cutie Princess Charlotte turns two today, so a new picture was released yesterday. The Duchess of Cambridge took this one at Amner Hall.

The Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace

--Over at the Jewel Vault, announced changes to June's usual schedule of pomp: the Order of the Garter serviced was cancelled and a "dressed down" version of the State Opening of Parliament put in its place - with a flashback to what such an event looked like in the past.

--King Carl Gustaf turned 71 on Sunday. His usual palace celebration with the public and the family included an affectionate Princess Estelle, dressed again in one of her mother's old dresses, and Crown Princess Victoria, who hightailed it back to Sweden after the weekend's Dutch birthday festivities. [Svenskdam]

Members of the Swedish Royal Family today during the celebratiobs of King Carl Gustaf's birthday at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. pic.twitter.com/Cj9EeTU07t

— Scandinavian Royals. (@crownprincely) April 30, 2017

--And finally, a mini Who wore it best? Queen Rania, on the cover of The Sunday Times Magazine, sporting the same pink Valentino dress worn recently by the Countess of Wessex. This dress received mixed reactions before, but this makes me more excited to see Sophie wear hers again. [Times]

Tidbits is your spot for topics we haven't covered on the blog. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Monday Tidbits for March 27: Exhibitions Galore

It's going to be a sparkly week. But first:

--Princess Beatrix opened "Chapeaux!", an exhibition of over 100 of her hats at Het Loo Palace this week. [AD]

Chapeaux! is vandaag officieel geopend door Prinses Beatrix! https://t.co/RoIzEUeZtZ #chapeaux #beatrix #prinses #opening pic.twitter.com/2TKqbyqYnb

— Paleis Het Loo (@paleishetloo) March 22, 2017

--Also relevant to our interests: "House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth" has opened at Chatsworth House, home of the Dukes of Devonshire. Included are robes worn by past duchesses to coronations. [New York Times]

--I do my best to bring you sightings of the Princess Royal in uniform, here opening the Princess Royal Jetty last week. [ITV]

LPhot Paul Hall/Royal Navy/MOD Crown Copyright

--Over at the Jewel Vault, Camilla gives this Queen Mother brooch new life.

--And finally, there's a lot to digest in this Queen Rania outfit. Just a lot to digest.

A post shared by Queen Rania Al Abdullah (@queenrania) on Mar 21, 2017 at 12:12am PDT

Coming up this week: You know we'll be all over the Argentina/Netherlands state visit and the Belgium/Denmark state visit.

Tidbits is your spot for topics we haven't covered on the blog. Please mind the comment policy, and enjoy!

Monday Tidbits for December 5: New King, New Babies

Hello, it's Monday again:

--Thailand's crown prince has officially accepted the throne, following the October death of his father. He will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, or Rama X. [BBC]

--Over at the Jewel Vault, a reception for Princess Alexandra's 80th birthday brings the delightful birthday girl herself (of course), as well as an excellent dress for the Countess of Wessex.

--Baby news from Luxembourg: Prince Felix and Princess Claire welcomed a son on November 28th. They also have a daughter, Amalia, born in 2014. [Hello]

--Baby news from Britain too: Zara and Mike Tindall have announced that they are expecting a second child. Their daughter, Mia, is nearly three. [Telegraph]

--And finally, this Valentino dress on Queen Rania is a bit perplexing (what do you see: candles... crayons...), but the whimsy feels about right for the event.

في احتفال منظمة قلب للأطفال الخيرية في برلين مساء أمس #الأردن #حب_الأردن #المانيا #برلين At A Heart for Children’s Annual Gala in Berlin last night #EHFK #Jordan #LoveJO #Germany #Berlin

A photo posted by Queen Rania Al Abdullah (@queenrania) on Dec 4, 2016 at 5:27am PST

Tidbits is your place throughout the week to share things we haven't covered yet and for all your off topic chats. Enjoy!

Monday Tidbits for October 10: Quadruple Queens

Through your bleary Monday eyes, you will notice that we have a brand new banner up top, kindly created by our awesomely talented commenter Impy the Painter! Please drop by the comments and give her some jumpy claps.

To the tidbits, with quadruple the queen news:

--Queen Letizia went literal in red this year for Día de la Banderita, raising funds for the Spanish Red Cross. The outfit works best in motion, I think (and don't miss her collecting from the press at the end of that video). At another engagement, she wore an oversized coat and played it just right by pairing it with a slim trouser to balance out the volume. [YouTube, Zimbio]

House of HM the King

--I wish she'd pass that note on balancing volume along to Queen Máxima. A voluminous skirt worn with a draped top is just too much for one outfit. [ParisMatch]

--A proud Queen Rania accompanied King Abdullah to Germany, where he was awarded the Peace of Westphalia Prize. Proud - and sparkly, in Dior. (For the day, she wore a sharply shaped black suit.) [Instagram]

مع جلالة الملك قبل مأدبة عشاء جائزة وستفاليا للسلام في مونستر #الأردن #حب_الأردن #المانيا #مونستر With His Majesty before the Westphalian Peace Prize Dinner Banquet in Munster #Jordan #LoveJO #Germany #Munster

A photo posted by Queen Rania Al Abdullah (@queenrania) on Oct 8, 2016 at 1:02am PDT

--The link to the Jewel Vault in the sidebar on this blog disappeared for a while, a temporary technical glitch that has been fixed now. Anyway, QEII is back and in action and handled an investiture on Friday in purple and pearls.

--And finally: Harry + kids, say no more.

Coming up this week: A royal wedding with a goat tiara (oh yeah), the Belgiums in Japan, and more...

Tidbits is your place throughout the week to share things we haven't covered yet and for all your off topic chats. Enjoy!