Time to clear the decks from Monday's big events, because there's another state visit happening and a holiday coming up. Let's do this snap judgement style. (Psst: Tomorrow is a US holiday but we will likely have a state visit post up, so do check in.)
Monaco's princely family celebrated National Day, starting with a Te Deum, review at the palace, and some window balcony appearances.
Tatiana Santo Domingo: She could nearly pass for a Windsor with her solid navy coat and Philip Treacy headpiece. It's the interesting shoes that give her away.
Princess Alexandra: Her mother's daughter in that suit, that's for sure.
The Babies: Grandma Caroline quite literally has her hands full these days. Two out of three 2018 family additions made their debuts: Francesco (son of Pierre and Beatrice) and Maximilian (son of Andrea and Tatiana).
Princess Charlene, in Akris: To be impressed by her commitment to lining up her Order of St. Charles sash with the color division in her gown, or to be confused that it now looks like a racing stripe...that is the question.
Princess Caroline, in Stella McCartney: Queen Letizia's sublime appearance in a version of this dress is a hard act to follow. Not really advisable to try, honestly.
Beatrice Borromeo, in Armani Privé: Once again taking the prize.
Elsewhere, on Monday the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Royal Variety Performance.
Duchess of Sussex, in Safiyaa: Nope. To all of it. Sorry. Blame it on that added halter strap (which is tacked on there like it was a hasty decision, which it probably wasn't, which makes it worse).
How’s your royal wedding fever holding up? Still hanging in there? It’s like running a marathon, but on your couch, with snacks. We’ve already done the main stuff:
So let’s finish up the fashion business with a little look at what a few of the other guests - the ones that aren't members of the royal family - brought to the party.
One of the first guests to catch my eye: Countess Spencer in Pamella Roland with a Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat. A purple outfit after my own heart! With a wee cape! She was terribly elegant back in 2011, too, I still remember her blush pink ensemble with a massive hat.
Lady Kitty Spencer caught my eye too, in a green Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda dress with a hand-painted floral design and a Philip Treacy hat. Fantastic use of orange velvet accessories to give it an extra splash of interest.
Royal Family Channel/Instagram
You give Oprah an invite to the royal wedding, she's not about to chicken out on the hat game. Her hat is Philip Treacy she's had since 2005, with new feathers for the occasion. I had quibbles on the dress until I checked Oprah's Instagram; Stella McCartney’s team made this for her overnight after she suddenly realized her planned beige outfit was going to photograph too white. All things considered? That’s a pretty good result. McCartney labels this a “blush, double tiered dress with lace trim made of sustainable viscose.”
Instagram
It’s hard to go wrong with a blush pink outfit for a royal wedding, isn’t it? Oprah would agree. This Versace dress on Serena Williams is just right, as is the fascinator that keeps clear of her long braids.
Instagram
Serena also posted her look for the evening reception, a Valentino gown. Not everyone could carry this print off, yet on Serena, it's pure fun.
RFC
Amal Clooney opted for a bold color choice for the ceremony with this honey yellow Stella McCartney midi dress with a side tie detail in silk Cady, accompanied by a custom Stephen Jones hat. I loved this ray of sunshine during the broadcast, but in the photos, I suddenly want a little color variation. Maybe not full yellow on the hat?
Instagram
Meghan’s good friend Priyanka Chopra posted just after midnight that she was still waiting for her outfit to arrive, but no problems here: this is Vivienne Westwood with a to-die-for suit silhouette. A Philip Treacy hat tops it off.
Instagram
Also to-die-for: Priyanka’s evening look from Christian Dior. That is one sparkly dream of a dress, no? Let's get this on a princess or something.
The whole crew from Suits rolled up with their partners to support their former costar. I was watching all the guests arrive, trying to think which outfit I'd claim as my own if I were invited (as you do), and I think I found it: Jacinda Barrett's merlot grape Emilia Wickstead, be mine.
Let’s end with the ever-appropriately dressed Middleton crew. The only surprise comes when you realize that Pippa’s floral dress from The Fold actually looks startlingly like an Arizona Tea can…and once you see it, there’s no turning back.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sped off to an evening reception at Frogmore House hosted by the Prince of Wales, giving us a chance to see Meghan’s second wedding look.
Turns out there was something to those Stella McCartney rumors after all! The evening dress is a bespoke Stella creation, a lily white high neck gown made of silk crepe. I really like this silhouette for her, I just wish we could see it with the skirt fully down. Meghan’s shoes for the evening are by Aquazurra, made of silky satin with nude mesh and soles painted baby blue.
…the one worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. It was in her personal collection and she also had a pearl bracelet with an aquamarine clasp. It’s fantastic to see that the slow integration of Diana’s personal jewels will continue, after the few pieces the Duchess of Cambridge has used so far.
Cartier
Meghan also wore Cartier earrings that match the bracelet she wore for the wedding ceremony. Her collection's shaping up nicely already!
The British royal family's busy week continued right into the weekend - we're jumping back to pre-baby stuff here - as they gathered on Saturday for a concert celebrating the Queen's 92nd birthday.
BBC
She came ready to be celebrated in a fancy gold embellished dress with a bunch of pearls and diamonds tossed on for good measure. (You know you can find all those details at the Jewel Vault.)
Royal Family
And a whooollllle bunch of royals turned out to celebrate her in style. You've got your Kents in the box to the left, with the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra in the front; Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto joined the Gloucesters in the box to the right. The main royal box was stuffed with all available members and members-to-be of the main royal family. Two highlights stuck to this family's favorite color: NAVY.
Lady Louise and the Countess of Wessex also went for the usual navy, except Sophie managed to give it a saucy little kick in jumpsuit format. I do appreciate an attempt to spice up a standard.
Elsewhere in the royal box, I loved Princess Eugenie's light dress and Princess Beatrice's purple dress, because purple.
Meghan's Stella McCartney caped cady dress in midnight blue (per the brand), Sophie's Signature Corset Jumpsuit by Galvan (per Countess of Wessex Blog)
Beatrice's Gareth Pugh silk wrap dress and Eugenie's Max Mara Leandro White Draped Floral Crepe Dress (per Polka Poppins)
Beatrice was saving up her navy for Sunday, apparently, when she attended the National Scout Service and Parade at Windsor Castle. (It's one of those engagements members of the royal family pass between themselves each year.)
The Duke of York
File that hat in the "repeat for Ascot" section of the wardrobe, please! An interesting - and fab - end to a busy Windsor weekend.
So many of you were hoping Meghan Markle would use her appearance at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey yesterday as a chance to inject some vibrant color into her wardrobe...but as it turns out, basically the entire Windsor family united against your cause. I had to laugh.
ITV screencap
Navy blue for you and you and you! The Queen, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, Princess Alexandra, the Countess of Wessex, and the Duchess of Gloucester all showed up to create a sea of blues. Navy with the classic cream combo by a few, with just a couple light blues stuck in there for relief.
Meghan's contribution to the navy theme came in the form of a navy Amanda Wakeley dress, a cream Amanda Wakeley coat, and a Stephen Jones hat. A sophisticated look, methinks. Kate went all in on the navy with a Beulah London ensemble, itself a veteran of church service occasions, and a Lock & Co. hat.
Westminster Abbey
The Duchess gave this coat the touch it needed by adding a brooch, always a delightful surprise from her. It's a delicate multi-colored floral bouquet, and I don't recognize it as anything the Queen has worn. She wore it with the earrings she debuted recently, earrings I speculated might match the Queen's Sapphire and Ruby Flower Spray Brooch. However, I now think they're probably a pair with this brooch instead. (What Kate Wore has shared some close ups.)
Full navy for Sophie, too, in a repeated hat - another piece that's a veteran from many a special occasion - and Stella McCartney coat (per the Countess of Wessex Blog). I'm actually glad for the beige accessories here, they pull in the hat ornamentation and give some relief to all the blue.
Westminster Abbey
Joining Meghan on the navy and cream theme were Camilla and Anne. Every outfit Camilla has in this color combo - and there are plenty of them - is sharp as can be, and I love the detail on this jacket. (She's wearing her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp.) Anne's been rocking this coat since 1980, because of course she has, but she's kindly brought it into the current century with a fresh hat. (I mean, it's still a repeated hat, let's not get crazy.)
Lightening up the blue side of this family color scheme, we have Princess Alexandra, as always looking like an elegant picture from really any decade in the past century...
Westminster Abbey/BBC screencaps
...and the Duchess of Gloucester, unfortunately laying low in most coverage. This is also a faultless color for Birgitte, though the apparent tall black boots will certainly get the hmm... treatment from me.
A supremely princess-y turn for Sofia on one of Sweden's biggest nights gave her a tidy showing on both your day and evening favorite lists for the year.
#4. Princess Tatiana in Australia in Celia Kritharioti
Instagram/@tatianablatnik
Princess Tatiana doesn't appear here very often, but when she does, her continued partnership with this Greek designer wins her consistent praise. Also, CAPE!
Can't beat a great necklace or a great repeated dress, from the Dutch designer that's landed Máxima her greatest praise - and her second spot on your evening top 10.
...it was the year of the red dress. I can't think of another year when one person could have taken the top two spots, and I can't think of another year in which it would have been so well-deserved. La Reina, folks.
So, tell me: How'd your picks make out? Are you in agreement with the group vote?
When I sat down to come up with my selections for this year's best outfits, the list of Queen Letizia's contenders just kept growing...and growing...and growing. She's not without her experimentation (who can forget that hiccuping ponytail?), which she balances with a steady diet of stunners. There's no competition here for me, she is our sartorial MVP right now. All hail 2017's top bringer of the jumpy claps!
State Banquet, State Visit to the United Kingdom
House of HM the King
I'm still dead from this Felipe Varela gown, and really this entire visit, which was one of my favorite things in 2017. There's no immediate hope for revival.
Speaking of the RED, this Stella McCartney dress is flat out fabulous. And she brought her new best friends, the twin bracelets of the joyas de pasar, along for the party! Taking every opportunity to use these gems is my new favorite thing about her style.
State Banquet, State Visit from Argentina
House of HM the King
Her first joyas de pasar appearance still resonates for me. That simple black velvet column of a dress loaded down with diamonds...so chic.
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.
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.
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).
Our special weekend coverage of King Willem-Alexander's 50th birthday celebrations continues with the private party held Saturday night. What we've been allowed to see of that party, that is.
After celebrating with the public during the week, Saturday was reserved for private festivities - a sports day on the beach and a party in the evening - with family and friends, including several members of foreign royal families. They did indeed keep things very private, but the royal house released two photographs of the King and his family at the party.
RVD/Jeroen van der Meyde
One, a charming family shot that shows Queen Máxima in a red, possibly a one-shouldered, gown and some grown up looks for the girls - including Amalia wearing one of her mother's old coats. Máxima accessorized with diamond jewels, including diamond and ruby earrings that she's worn often in recent years and which are flexible in length.
RVD/Jeroen van der Meyde
And two, the lovebirds dancing the night away in a snap that very sweetly echoes a photo of the couple taken at their pre-wedding party. We can't see much of Máxima's gown here, but I think there's a lot of promise in it. Judgement shall await its inevitable reappearance.
Máx wasn't the only lady in red on the big night. Most of the guests remained shielded from media view, except for King Felipe and Queen Letizia, who stayed at a nearby hotel and were spotted leaving for the party. Honestly, though? If I was a queen who was looking this good, I'd go running through the streets in search of the nearest group of photographers.
WHOA. What else can I say? This gown is so exactly in Letizia's wheelhouse. Red is obviously her color, it gives her the perfect canvas for the major earrings she loves these days, and the modern twist of stacking those two large bracelets on one arm has never worked better (some of you weren't convinced when she did it in Japan; here, they act as a balance for the asymmetrical cape). This might be the epitome of Queen Letizia Style. And it is, without a doubt, a new entry into her own Sartorial Hall of Fame.
Queen Rania received a humanitarian award on Sunday at the Celebrity Fight Night Italy benefiting The Andrea Bocelli Foundation and The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
In the midst of thinking to myself how dedicated Rania is to her humanitarian work, as she received another honor for it, I also couldn't stop wondering about her curious choice of shawl and shoe color - blue, with a red dress - and why she needed to carry that shawl around in every single picture from the evening. (Hey, I have a frivolity disclaimer on this blog for a reason.) Turns out it's not a shawl at all.
Atelier Versace Fall 2016
It's a train with two skinny pieces of blue and red, and it's attached from the back of the shoulder all the way down. And she carried it everywhere, except when she needed both hands to make her speech and get her award. (You can see it in action on the runway here.) I never thought I'd be rooting for an unrelated shawl, but here we are.
The Countess of Wessex attended the St. John Ambulance's Everyday Heroes Awards last week.
This is lovely. Precisely the thing for a beautiful day outdoors...when one is a princess, making an official appearance, of course. Which she is, and therefore she hit it just right.
Vilshenko dress
This is also the best royal Vilshenko dress we've seen so far. Add that to the list of achievements. Photos: via Getty Images, Vogue, Lyst, Net-a-porter
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have been on an official visit to Japan on behalf of Greenland, and Mary packed a nice little spring palette for us to review.
To start, this repeated Stella McCartney coat in a pale pink snake print. I actually really like this coat (and I'm not a natural Stella fan, to be honest), but I think it fared better the last time she wore it, with white trousers. Fred wore a suit.
The couple were joined by Princesses Hisako and Tsuguko of Takamado, for a scissor wielding competition to open an exhibit with Greenland artifacts. Mary's repeated Mary Katrantzou landscape print dress (a signature for the designer) was my favorite look of the trip; it has a whole cherry blossom feel to it, and it works with the patterns on the Japanese princesses' gorgeous kimonos without imitating them.
Then there were a couple of plain dresses to round things out. The above outfit took on a day that included lunch with the Emperor and Empress, and the one below was for a dinner with the Crown Prince (and the Crown Princess, I believe, though she did not pose for photographers).
FRED UPDATE: Still wearing a suit. However! He has a range of gray or blue. So that's fascinating.
One final outfit, over there on the right: a Dolce & Gabbana lace dress (per Style of Mary) worn to a concert the first night (not well covered, but here's a video). Basic and bordering on a case of lace fatigue, but it goes so well with the rest of the trip wardrobe, I'll let it fly.
Photos: via Getty Images, Matches, Dolce & Gabbana, BilledBladet video
The Earl and Countess of Wessex embarked on a visit to Finland, meeting with President Sauli Niinistö and his wife, Jenni Haukio. This black Tom Ford dress (per the Countess of Wessex blog), black boots, and print scarf on the Countess seems a little too clingy and a little too casual to me, so I have to give this one a miss.
Later on, Sophie opted to repeat a burgundy guipure lace dress. I'm not the biggest fan of the large scale laces, but this is lovely on her. It's from Stella McCartney, but most definitely in the shallow end of the Stella pool, so to speak (which is most definitely where Sophie should stay).
And now we bop over to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who attended the British Asian Trust Dinner last night.
Hellooooo, amethysts. You know you're dealing with some major earrings when they're powerful enough to be spotted through the signature Cams 'do. She's also sporting her diamond serpent necklace, one of her favorites, but I only have eyes for the purple.
Prince Harry met marathon runners raising money for RFU's Injured Players Foundation and visited a youth project. And here's your Very Important Harry Update: He continues to do casual wear better than any other royal.
It's Halloween, kids! I know it's not really a universal holiday, but if you're planning on celebrating and still need a costume idea, I've plucked two outfits from the royal fashion rounds this week that might help you out. Just being servicey here, folks.
Idea #1: How about going as a garden trellis, complete with scattered flowers?
On Day 2 of their state visit to Japan, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended a banquet with the Japanese prime minister and his wife.
All you need is a little Jan Taminiau couture, my friends, and you too could be the chicest lawn ornament on the trick-or-treat circuit. As an added bonus, not only is this color scheme universally flattering, it could also be reasonably repurposed for next year's Dolores Umbridge costume.
Idea #2: Are you a fan of the classic film A Christmas Story?
This evening, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel enjoyed a dinner hosted by the Swedish ambassador to Estonia pic.twitter.com/vhiwqjwooM
— Royaltyspeaking (@Royal_talk) October 29, 2014
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited Estonia this week for events including a dinner hosted by the Swedish ambassador.
Try this dark-toned take on the infamous Leg Lamp! All you need is the cash for a Stella McCartney mini dress, and you're in business. Sequin shoes from Saint Laurent will add some pizazz to the one legged-pose you'll need to strike.
This little number is the perfect option for all your Halloween party needs, because if you're not going to shake it in this dress, you're doing it wrong.
Aren't they just so helpful, our royals? Not only did they give us these two fresh costume ideas, they also saw fit to remind us this week that there's always option #3: Just wear a tiara. Happy Halloween!
Photos: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images, @Royal_talk, Net-a-porter, Bluefly
Lovely. The blue is divine on her (just as it is on the Duchess of Cambridge when she wears her Stella McCartney shift dress which is the same or devilishly like this one).
And she paid a quick visit to Latvia, where she opted for a dress from one of Kate's favorite retailers, L.K. Bennett.
I offer you these selected bits of loveliness as a sort of an advance palette cleanser for what shall henceforth be known as the Duct Tape Disco Incident.
Today, Crown Princess Victoria attended the ceremony price of Pontus Schultz Foundation in Stockholm pic.twitter.com/SIuu2NPux7
— Royaltyspeaking (@Royal_talk) September 23, 2014
This week, the Swedish royal family welcomed Crown Prince Haakon to mark the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution. Also, Crown Princess Victoria attended a meeting of the Friends of Nordiska Museet and Skansen.
It's been a while since we caught up with Victoria's daily happenings, so let's have a double shot. First up, an Oscar de la Renta printed navy and white dress that is heaven except for that jacket selection - just a little too much going on with those buttons and lapels plus the print of the dress. And then there was PURPLE, which you know I love. The color freshens up a traditional shape, and she emphasizes it with her Charlotte Bonde amethyst earrings. She also carried her Stella McCartney clutch.
The Oscar de la Renta dress on the Spring 2009 runway; the Charlotte Bonde amethyst earrings
Video: Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited Paris last week to open a Carl Larsson exhibit. Victoria wore a black coat from By Malene Birger with rhinestone and mirrored embellishments on the sleeves with black trousers and flats, along with a Stella McCartney clutch, Carolina Gynning necklace, and large earrings.
This coat...I don't know. This bag...I really don't know. Seems like someone's been on a Stella McCartney shopping spree (two clutches and one dress of late, at least). Not a brand that I'd call easy to wear, to say the least...should we be concerned?
On Sunday, the Swedish royal family attended a Te Deum service to mark the birth of Princess Leonore, daughter of Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill. Crown Princess Victoria wore a white Michael Kors dress (runway, center) with a feather hair ornament and Stella McCartney clutch. She previously wore the dress for Queen Margrethe's 70th birthday celebrations in Denmark (right).
The main message here seems to be "Look, Ma, no crutches!", so good for Victoria. I hoped this service would yield something a little more interesting in the sartorial department, but nope - quite low key all around. Ah, well. You can never go wrong with a simple white dress, even if your hair ornament does look a bit of an overly enthusiastic scrunchie from certain angles. Photos: Aftonbladet/Style.com/Scanpix
Our newest pair of sovereign couples take the cake this week, as the Belgians paid a quick (super quick) introductory visit to the Dutch. Nice and neat queens, the both of them. I half expect Máx's shoulder bow to fly off and end up as some sort of epic butt bow on an outfit to come, but still.
Most Intriguing Trip
Crown Princess Victoria
Video: Victoria and Daniel made a short visit to Britain
Here's one that improves on video, I think. Because after seeing it in action and learning that it was Stella McCartney (a little nod to diplomatic dressing there, picking a British designer), I have upgraded Victoria from "Beetlejuice in SHOOTIES" to "Intriguing". It was a surprisingly fashion-forward trip for Victoria, as she also debuted a piece from the Isabel Marant H&M collection.
Left to Right: Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant pour H&M as worn by Victoria; Máxima in Russia; Mary in Mexico
Royal trips are starting to pick up again on the whole and in addition to the Belgians, the Dutch went to Russia, and the Danes have just started a visit to Mexico (we'll have the rest of the trip next week, so hang on for that). Máxima's last two outfits in Russia were pretty great, but overshadowed by the oddness of the whole visit - it closed a year which was focused on Dutch/Russian relations but which was also filled with problems and diplomatic messes. I mean, someone tried to pelt them with rotten tomatoes while they were there! They missed, but the whole visit just seems like one best put in the past.
Best of the Rest
Princess Letizia
Letizia at a ceremony and an awards presentation; Máxima at an anniversary event, presenting a prize, and at a performance; Mathilde making another city visit; Kate promoting Poppy Day
The rest of the week was a mixed bag, and this is a far from complete round up. (Mary, for example, had a couple other appearances including a concert where her own outfit was nothing compared to her father-in-law's sartorial flair - video link.) (And there was Estelle, but she's the automatic highlight.) I'll honor Letizia's bit of sparkle, while diplomatically ignoring the jumpsuit.
Newbury Races
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*The Queen attended the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend at Newbury
Racecourse.*
Embed from Getty Images
You might think this outfit would provide a n...
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