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.

Royal Outfits of the Day: The Duchesses at Wimbledon

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The royals grabbed their spots for the Wimbledon finals this weekend, kicking it off with a double duchess act on Saturday for the ladies' final. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex donned their own versions of tennis whites and headed out for their first engagement together without their husbands.

Wimbledon

They both stayed in their respective wheelhouses, basically. A new bespoke Jenny Packham dress for Kate, with a print one could liken to tennis balls if one was feeling in the themed mood, plus a new Dolce & Gabbana purse.

Wimbledon

Meghan went crisp and classic with long trousers and a striped shirt from Ralph Lauren. The trousers did go a little overboard with an extra wide leg and long length, but I'm just pretending that's not there, because I love the rest of this look. Right down to the white hat she carried with her. More Panama style hats!

Wimbledon

Kate was back for Sunday's final for the men, with William as her date this time.

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More Dolce & Gabbana was on tap, doubling up on the Italian label for the weekend with a new yellow dress. Yellow's the royal color of the summer, huh? Two examples is absolute proof of a trend, I'm pretty sure that's how the math works.

Royal Outfits of the Day: The Christening of Prince Louis

Prince Louis of Cambridge was christened yesterday at St. James' Palace, and it was cream on cream on cream. (With an olive accent.)

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This was the first occasion to see the Cambridges together as a family of five, so clearly their constant family matching strategy was going to be in high gear. William managed George and Charlotte with a blue palette to unite the three. Kate managed Louis and once again matched her own outfit to the family christening gown.

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The star of the show enjoyed a nice snooze while wearing the christening gown of Honiton lace lined with white satin created by the Queen's dressmaker, Angela Kelly. It's a replica of the original family gown used beginning in Queen Victoria's reign. This new version was first worn by Viscount Severn, son of the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

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Another christening meant another cream bespoke McQueen outfit and Jane Taylor hat for the Duchess, exactly as she did for the christenings of George and Charlotte. The kokoshnik-esque hat is a departure, for sure; I'm not convinced it's a great shape for her, but I am glad to have any point of interest to differentiate from all the other cream outfits.

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The Duchess of Cornwall was also on the cream bandwagon, in a repeated dress by Fiona Clare. I like this take on her usual hat shape, using a more casual summer material.

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The Duchess of Sussex wore Ralph Lauren with a Stephen Jones hat. Fabulous dress shape on her, and in spite of my feeling that this is just a WHOLE LOT OF OLIVE, I can't deny it's a good color for her.

All these outfits feel very...gentle. Colorwise and otherwise. Same goes for most of the guests (in the video above). Three quiet ensembles for a somewhat quiet occasion, really.

Year in Review: 2017's Bonus Favorites

We're going to do something this year that we haven't done in the past...a Readers' Favorite Outfits of 2017 vote! As I noted when we started these recap posts, I'm paying attention to all your discussions of 2017 favorites in the comments, and a selection of them will make the cut for a final vote. We'll be voting after Christmas.

So...make sure you've added your favorites and supported others you love down in the comments! You still have time. And I still have this round up of my personal favorites from the rest of the royal women we haven't covered yet...

Princess Sofia: Deputy MVP

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Princess Sofia earned my affections earlier in the year by trying out new tiaras. Then she solidified them later in the year by giving us some more tiara excitement, going full princess in Ida Lanto at the Nobel ceremony, and - this one most of all - her touching choice to wear her folkdräkt to Prince Gabriel's christening. Deputy Most Valuable (Sartorial) Player of 2017!

Princess Tatiana in Australia

Instagram/tatianablatnik

Tatiana has found her sartorial soulmate in Greek designer Celia Kritharioti, turning up in one extraordinary creation after another. (There was a lot of love for her Kritharioti numbers at the Norwegian birthday celebrations this year, too.) This one instantly entered my hall of fame: elegant white and caped for days, mmmm.

Princess Marie-Chantal at King Harald and Queen Sonja's 80th Birthday Banquet

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Speaking of the Greek princesses and the Norwegian birthday bash, Marie-Chantal claimed my best dressed in Valentino back when we covered the gala banquet and now that I've made my list and checked it twice, the title is still hers for the keeping. Man, I love a floral ball gown. And man, do I love that I get to say that twice in one month.

Princess Charlene at the Laureus World Sports Awards

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I love most ball gown appearances, while we're at it - especially those sported by one of the people I'd least expect to go the fairytale route. Charlene should be red hot in Carolina Herrera more often.

The Countess of Wessex at King Harald and Queen Sonja's 80th Birthday Banquet

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Another fancy Norway flashback! Sophie went solo to the Norwegian party and she really nailed it with this green Suzannah gown. Very elegant.

Autumn Phillips at Trooping the Colour

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A flip back through the 2017 events of the extended British royal family left me with an urgent need to applaud Autumn Phillips. Strong colors, simple lines, nothing fussy or overdone but always interesting and always good. Pairing a magenta hat with a jade dress is still a combo that makes me smile.

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie at the Cannes Film Festival

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Crisp white Ralph Lauren (also worn, with great success, by Crown Princess Victoria) and a fascinating pair of earrings elevate this Luxembourg lady to my 2017 best list.

Queen Margrethe at the Belgian State Banquet and the Norwegian Birthday Banquet

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You can always tell when Queen Margrethe loves a new outfit, because she'll wear it again right away. (Queens: they're just like us!) She was really feeling her look in this new evening gown - and with good reason - wearing it first for the Belgian state banquet and then at the Norwegian birthday bash. I think I'd give this a solid round of jumpy claps on any number of royal ladies!

What else is on your list of 2017 sartorial highlights?

Our next post will be a rundown of Christmas happenings, probably up on Tuesday the 26th (with the usual QEII coverage over at the Jewel Vault on Christmas Day). See you then!

Royal Outfits of the Day: Charlene and Letizia's Berry Evenings

We had a berry-licious ensemble from Queen Máxima earlier this week, so let's close it out on a similar fruity (albeit less fuzzy) note. Shades of wine, let's say, because it's Friday and maybe a bit of wine is what we need.

Queen Letizia attended a dinner honoring journalism award winners yesterday evening.

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Letizia's still living her slinkiest jumpsuit life, in case you were wondering. The wavy hair with the center part gives this sleek number a Charlie's Angels vibe for me. Which is perfect, because any combination of royal Angels I can dream up - and rest assured, that is what I'll be doing with my time today - would have to feature Letizia as the MVP.

Angel Schlesser jumpsuit, Cartier bracelet, Yanes earrings, green stone ring
Angel Schlesser/CasaReal

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attended the Princess Grace Awards Gala on Wednesday evening.

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Also slinky! This Ralph Lauren gown is a classic shape updated with a wash of sparkle, and I can't argue with a bit of it. I was going to say it could handle a bigger earring, but actually these diamond studs are the perfect match to the dramatic smokey eye. Well done, Char.

Ralph Lauren Pre-Fall 2017 dress
Vogue

Royal Style Twins of the Day: Stéphanie at the Cannes Film Festival

The Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg attended the opening gala of the Cannes Film Festival yesterday.

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You have to glam it up for Cannes, right? Princess Stéphanie knows how it's done. One of her best looks right here. This white Ralph Lauren dress also featured in a recent sartorial highlight for another royal, so it's a tried and true choice.

Ralph Lauren/Polar Music Prize Instagram

Crown Princess Victoria wore this dress to the Polar Music Prize last summer, and it was one of her best 2016 outfits. Part of what makes these twin appearances so fabulous is that both used the dress as a canvas for a major jewelry statement: a huge shoulder necklace from the H&M Conscious Collection for Victoria, and the debut of a serious pair of earrings for Stéphanie.

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A pink-toned stone surrounded by lines of diamonds! Quick, get my fainting couch. And the number for those jewel thieves.

Royal Birthday of the Day: July 15

I have only cuteness to offer today. Perhaps that's what we need.

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Crown Princess Victoria turned 39 yesterday! The Swedish royal family celebrated Victoriadagen at their summer residence of Solliden Palace on the island of Öland. They do this every year, greeting the crowds outside the palace first, with a concert later in the evening.

Victoria's dress - possibly the epitome of a simple summer dress, not exactly casual but not dressy either - was worn previously for those cute photos with Estelle and Oscar for National Day last month (and is by Ralph Lauren, per The Royals and I). Estelle, of course, is sporting one of her mother's old dresses.

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And then there was wee Prince Oscar, blissfully unaware that he was supposed to be impressed.

For the concert, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria switched into their traditional costumes from Öland, as they always do. The rest of the family joined in (but sans costume, because it's just Victoria and Silvia for this event).

New this year: Estelle! She attended the concert for the first time, rocking some serious ear protection. If you have to wear ear defenders, you might as well make 'em hot pink.

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For Princess Sofia and Princess Madeleine, it all came down to the shoes. I had no idea espadrille wedges could get so clunky so quickly, just due to a black heel. I ought to thank Sofia for this key lesson. And finally, just in case you needed it, Madeleine's offering up a lesson of her own: there doesn't have to be anything boring about a nude shoe. A+ work.

Click here to view the concert.

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, and SVT screencaps

Royal Outfits of the Day: June 21

Sweden's royal family attends the Polar Music Prize award ceremony every year, and they did so again last week. Sometimes Crown Princess Victoria uses this event to have a little bit of fun with her outfit, and sometimes that strategy really does pay off. For example:

H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria with Prince Daniel at Polar Music Prize. #polarmusicprize

A photo posted by Polar Music Prize (@polarmusicprize) on Jun 16, 2016 at 7:05am PDT

Talk about working the goddess angle to spectacular effect. Pairing this white Ralph Lauren dress with this H&M Conscious Collection necklace - costume jewelry takes on chain mail - is her most successful use of statement accessories...ever, maybe. Wow.

Ralph Lauren dress, H&M Conscious Collection shoulder necklace

Princess Sofia made sure she got in on that striking white-on-white photo op too, in separates by Rodebjer.

A photo posted by Expressen Kungligt (@expressenkungligt) on Jun 17, 2016 at 4:23am PDT

Sofia's clearly still playing the starring role in A Girl and her Center Part: A Love Story, but this time it has some purpose, some bite. In a good way.

Please do note Victoria's extra hair bling. Please do not note Queen Silvia's suit.

They both looked ready for a concert, and weren't the only ones...

H/t to The Royals and I!

Watch that video from about 7:15. Trust.

Photos: Instagram, Ralph Lauren, H&M, TV4 screencaps

Royal Jewels of the Day: June 16

What's Princess Charlene been up to?

The Prince and Princess of Monaco welcomed guests from the 56th International Television Festival of Monte-Carlo to the Prince's Palace for a cocktail party
Gaetan Luci/Palace

Pulling more than a few surprises out of her bag of tricks, that's what. This isn't the first time in the past weeks she's surprised me, either. I suppose you could say she's a touch overdressed when the dress code is "dudes in suits" - but hey, I'm 100% down with the top princely lady showing everybody else up. It's practically in her job description. This is a big event for Monaco and she's right to turn it up several notches.

Ralph Lauren Spring 2015 outfit, Graff Briolette earrings

Her jewelry game is getting good, too. (Okay, her earring game has always been good, so let's say it's getting even better.) These earrings from Graff feature 3.37 carats of diamonds and 65.47 carats of orange sapphires. Oh, and she's also worn this design in the aquamarine version.

Attending the opening of the Festival
Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo, see video here

This comes on the heels of her wearing a Cartier necklace in white and yellow diamonds with matching earrings and a Roland Mouret gown to open the festival. We've seen a fair bit of Roland Mouret from her recently; the necklace, on the other hand, was a total surprise.

Roland Mouret gown

A Charlene with a few surprises and a whole lot of diamonds at the ready is a Charlene that I am HERE FOR. More, please.

Royal Birthday of the Day: July 15

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Yesterday, July 14, was Crown Princess Victoria's birthday! Victoriadagen is celebrated in high style by meeting the crowds during the day outside Solliden Palace, the royal family's summer home, and with an outdoor concert in the evening. There was a bit of rain - as you can see, Princess Estelle came prepared - but Victoria apparently chatted with well-wishers for over two hours.

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A cardigan over a dress is her usual uniform for the greeting at the palace, and this year was no different. She added a pale pink cardi buttoned at the top over a silk floral Ralph Lauren dress with a small Peter Pan collar - and Estelle did the same thing, so apparently she's teaching her little apprentice some tricks.

About that apprentice, by the way:

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Yeah, Princess Estelle stole the show. And you better believe her proud mom wouldn't have had it any other way.

Watch the whole concert here.

Later, as usual, they attended the concert. Also as usual, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria wore the appropriate traditional dress, and as usual, that was all in order. We also welcomed back to the royal scene Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, who are back in action after their honeymoon, and Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill, back after the birth of Prince Nicolas.

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And...it is good to see them. That's all!

Photos: via Getty Images and SVT video

State Visit and Tiara Watch of the Day (Part 2!): March 19

The state visit fun continues, and we shall forgo our usual tiara feature in favor of another lengthy state visit recap! (Gotta feast while you can, right? One never knows when the famine will return.)

First up, day two of the Danish/Dutch state visit, featuring King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima out and about with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.

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Máxima is a tailored Indiana Jones and Mary is a von Trapp on the lam and they are ready for an ADVENTURE and is it too much to ask that they take me with them??? I'm too busy plotting a movie staring these two as renegade explorers on a high stakes quest to bother complaining about the lack of color on hand here.

Click here for a video from Billed-Bladet.

Máx conquered the wild Danish frontier in a Claes Iversen camel coat with LK Bennett shoes and a Fabienne Delvigne fedora. Mary rode alongside in a fedora of her own with a gray cape/poncho/thing which I need in the worst way and her tall taupe Valentino boots which I also need in the worst way. The gentlemen were also present. They wore suits.

Hang on, got an idea for that movie plot: Máxima Jones and The Quest for the Return Dinner Tiaras.

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Yeah, no tiaras for us at last night's event. But Máxima continued to hit up that Dutch/Danish connection with another Claes Iversen design, the best one of the trip (and I say that as someone who doesn't particularly care for orange). She added a nice big diamond collet necklace, because this is MAX we're talking about, but the dress sparkled on its own.

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Máx's outfit is an easy thumbs up, but I can't say the same for Mary's repeated empire waist ruffled black thing. The big gold Portuguese earrings are the only thing I'm enthusiastic about here, so I give it a meh overall.

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Other things I'm not particularly feeling: Princess Marie's ensemble. The geometric sparklies are reading very dated to me on the top here. (For a video with Marie in full plus other attendees like Princess Benedikte and Princess Elisabeth, click here.)

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Queen Margrethe is also not rousing my enthusiasm - that color is...not a favorite - but HOLD UP is Henrik really wearing a purple tux jacket or is that the light? Doesn't matter, he WINS. Game over.

Across the sea, another state visit was in progress - and this one did take care of our tiara needs. Travel with me to Norway...

president.lv

...where the President of Latvia just arrived yesterday for a state visit. Mette-Marit at the welcome ceremony is turning me into one of those people that gets twitchy about dress vs. coat length with her Valentino ruffle overload. Also, Sonja's hat is...interesting.

Mette-Marit's Valentino coat and dress

The evening state banquet delivered our tiara watch for the day. The Latvian president somewhat awkwardly sported his Norwegian order (there's a reason the riband isn't usually worn with black tie, and this is it right here), and the royal family wore their Latvian orders, and they all basically look the same unless you squint.

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This is another of Queen Sonja's frequent repeats, and it is...also interesting. Gotta do something with your fabric scraps, I suppose. Anyway, she wore the big version of Queen Maud's Pearl and Diamond Tiara. More importantly, Mette-Marit wore a new white dress with the Amethyst Necklace Tiara and the necklace (click here for more)!!

La familia Real Noruega recibe al Presidente de #Estonia #State #Visit #FRN #Norway #Gala #Dinner #State #Banquete pic.twitter.com/v1R4LxEpLv
— Royal Life Mx (@Royal_Mx) March 18, 2015

It's like she knew there weren't going to be any tiaras in Denmark, and she threw us a bone by leaving Ye Olde Diamond Daisy Tiara at home for a change. Bless.

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, Billed Bladet video, Latvia President, Valentino

Royal Visit of the Day: March 16

Last week, Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania paid a visit to their Moroccan friends, King Mohammed and Princess Lalla Salma. Their productive working trip is our superficial check in on the sartorial stylings of two stunning consorts.

Princess Lalla Salma greeted her friend in a stark white Ralph Lauren ensemble with a close fit jacket and trousers which is futuristic and retro at the same time (you say Star Trek, I say 1950s dentist). I like it, actually, but only because it's allowing her face and piles of glorious red hair to run the show. Queen Rania arrived in a Nina Ricci coat that should look familiar to you, since the Countess of Wessex sported the same one for her birthday feature in Harper's Bazaar earlier this year. Sophie wore it over a printed dress and many of you wished for the coat alone, so the sartorial genie has seen fit to grant your request. I like both coat interpretations, but Rania is winning the shoe game by a landslide.

 

Day 2 dawned with a very standard set up on the fashion front. Basic white dress: check. Basic suit in a great color: check. Moving on.

An official dinner was held, and thank heavens we got an opportunity to see one of Lalla Salma's amazing caftans. Another traditional fabric nod goes to Princess Sarvath El Hassan (above, left), who was one of the other royals in attendance (a group photo, along with other shots from the trip, can be seen here). As for Rania, she wore the most unusual outfit of her trip, a bedazzled bishop sleeve blouse from Andrew Gn with a full-length skirt.

Left to Right: Queen Rania's Nina Ricci coat, Princess Lalla Salma's Ralph Lauren Spring 2014 RTW ensemble, Queen Rania's top and styling from Andrew Gn Pre-Fall 2014

Much like Lalla Salma's white welcome outfit, if Rania's dinner outfit works, it's because it's on Rania in particular. These outfits play to each lady's unique style, at the very least. I do appreciate individuality if nothing else.

Photos: Royal Hashemite Court/Queen Rania Instagram, Moda Operandi, Style.com

Royal Closet Raid of the Day: December 12

Congratulations are in order for the Monaco bunch! Prince Albert and Princess Charlene welcomed their twins on Wednesday. They'll be officially introduced to the people of Monaco on January 7. The announcement from the palace:

It is with immense joy that TT.SS.HH the Prince and Princess of Monaco have the great pleasure to announce the birth of Their children named:

- Gabriella, Thérèse, Marie (born at 17h04)

- Jacques, Honoré, Rainier (born at 17h06)

The births took place on 10th December 2014 at the Maternity of the Princess Grace Hospital Monaco.
The Princess and the Children are doing well.

The Prince Jacques, Honoré, Rainier is the Crown Prince. In accordance with the historic custom established by the treaty of Péronne (1641), He shall receive the title of Marquis of Baux (in Provence).
The Princess Gabriella, Thérèse, Marie, second child in the line of succession, shall receive the title of Countess of Carladès (in Auvergne).

Welcome to the world, Gabriella and Jacques! (I'm digging the names, by the way.)

In this particular corner of the world, we celebrate with fabulous outfits, and I've been saving up Charlene's day in the closet raiding spotlight for just such an occasion. Do you enjoy beige, hmm? How about black? Then it's your day in the spotlight too. As for me, I think you know what color I'm heading for.

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I can still only echo what I originally said about this appearance: Char killed it. How could she not, in a dress so fab? I'd like to try it out for myself, so you can bag this one up for me.

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Throw the gems in there too, pretty please.

On the Ralph Lauren runway. I approve of her color change.

Your turn: 

What are you coveting from Charlene's wardrobe?

One more piece of news from Monaco: Hello reports confirmation from an "insider" that Princess Caroline's son, Pierre Casiraghi, will wed his longtime love, Beatrice Borromeo, on April 20, 2015. We're still waiting to see if an official confirmation will be issued by the family.

P.S.: Yesterday's Nobel post was updated late with the second evening of festivities, so check back if you haven't already!

Photos: Michel Dufour/French Select and Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images, Style.com

Royal Outfits of the Day: September 5

Crown Princess Victoria has been out and about several times recently, with varying levels of sartorial success. I think she might be trying to step out of her comfort zone a bit, and at the very least, that gives us something to chat about. A big helping of Victoria appearances it is:

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Attending a Baltic Sea Seminar last week.

The first problem with encouraging the abandoning of the comfort zone is that the best look here is this one, and it happens to be the safest choice of all. Can't go wrong with a simple sheath dress, can you?

The dress is from Ril's.

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Celebrating the 1000th anniversary of the Skara Diocese last weekend.

Mixing patterns and prints can be fun! And it can also be risky! Like, uh, this right here. The dots and the stripes have declared war on each other and my eyes are the primary victims.

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Awarding the Junior Water Prize in Stockholm this week.

Also a risky move: tea length skirts. I like the skirt, but I think everything else needs to be even simpler than this to make it work, starting with the Wilma Flintstone necklace. (The shoes can stay, I suppose. They're Ralph Lauren, also worn by Princess Madeleine for a magazine shoot.)

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Attending a seminar in Stockholm yesterday.

First: She wore this skirt last week too! Reuse. See, and you thought no one was listening to Mette-Marit. Second: I absolutely had a moment, when first seeing this in tiny thumbnail format, where I thought this might be an acid wash jean skirt. Now that would be a step out of the comfort zone.

Lace and grosgrain banding/acid wash denim, same/same. Skirt from By Malene Birger.

Photos: Ragnar Singsaas, Anna Lu Lundholm, and Ivan da Silva via Getty Images/Ril's/By Malene Birger

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

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

Well, At Least You Showed Up

Princess Letizia

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

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

Honorable Mention for Also Showing Up

Princess Charlene

Charlene attends the Princess Grace Awards Gala

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

Who was your best dressed last week?

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

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

The Midnight Tiara!

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

Your runners up:

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

And here's the collection to date:

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