Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 11-17 December

Here's what Mathilde wore from 11-17 December:

 

1. Visiting Gedinne, 13 December.
2. At the University Hospital in Liege to visit victims of the gun and grenade attacks, 14 December.

Photos: APA Picture Desk/Reuters

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 11-17 December

Here's what Charlene wore from 11-17 December:

1. At the Arbre de Noel for Monaco's children, 14 December. See, appearances like this are what get me. Elegant silhouette, great classy hair...beige beige beige.
2. a and b) Spreading more Christmas joy, 15 December. Much better with just even a little pop of blue!
3. Visiting College Charles III (a school), 16 December. If it isn't beige, it's black! This one has a little off-duty nun flair to it.
4. Receiving an award and attending a charity gala in Berlin, 17 December. Color! A whole outfit of it! A shade of red I'll call "almost brown". I think she looks fab, in what I'm guessing is Akris (of course).

Photos: Daylife/GettyImages/Frederic Nebinger/WireImage/Purepeople/Junior/BestImage

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 27 November - 3 December

Here's what Mathilde wore from 27 November - 3 December:

1. Meeting military families, 3 December. I am, as ever, baffled by the brown/beige and gray combo - that's a page out of Máxima's book - but YAY for capes.

Photo: Getty Images/Zimbio

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 13-19 November

Here's what Victoria wore from 13-19 November:

1. a and b) On an official visit to Järfälla, 14 November, wearing an H&M maternity coat with a By Malene Birger scarf. The coat is actually maternity wear, which is awesome because I think she's been making do with tent dresses and repeats intended for not-pregnant people for too long - as you can see in (b), because that coat is from pre-pregnancy days and it will not close anymore.
2. Attending a lunch at the palace, 15 November.
3. a) At the World Child and Youth Forum at the Royal Palace, 17 November, in a dubious shoe choice with those tights. The whole family was there, with an apparent winter white and/or brown dress code (b and c).

This one is actually from 11 November, presenting awards at the Royal Swedish Academy of War Science's gala:

And I think we might finally have a winner! A great maternity gown, even if she has caught her sister's fur shrug flu (this one is from Malina). This gives me great hope that she might pull out something stunning for the upcoming Nobel Prize ceremony. Fingers crossed, everyone!

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Kungahuset/Lehtikuva

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 13-19 November

Here's what Charlene wore from 13-19 November:

1. Attending the Parish Saint-Martin Centenary Anniversary Celebration Mass, 13 November.
2. a) Handing out packages at Monaco's Red Cross Christmas celebration, 17 November, b) in an Akris suit with a boxy little jacket. This outfit inspired some of you to ask me if I think she's pregnant...and I have to tell you, the whole Bump Game gives me a case of the mehs. Until it becomes smack-you-upside-the-head obvious, I'm perfectly happy to be surprised when the parents-to-be decide to share the news. This is, like, the one area in which I actually do consider how I personally would feel if someone placed the same microscope on me. (Usually, my response to that argument would be: "Give me a tiara and you can say what you want, yo." Only without the yo because I can't actually pull that off in real life.) Yeah. Those that want to analyze the state of my belly should be forewarned that I have ninja skillz and I am not afraid to use them. ANYWAY: rant over, to each their own. Not my deal, is all I'm saying.
3. At the annual presentation of the Order of St. Charles and Grimaldi, 17 November, hiding behind Albert.
4. National Day, fierce day activities, 19 November.
5. National Day, tragic evening activities, 19 November (also in Akris).

She also visited the No Finish Line charity, but since she did (and wore) the same thing on the 20th too we'll just chat about it next week.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Palais Princier/Marcio Madeira/Firstview.com/Style.com

Royal Fashion Awards: National Day in Monaco

Well friends, the day of reckoning has arrived, in which we begin to sort out what kind of National Day Princess Charlene will lead. And the results...are a mixed bag. So, business as usual for the Monaco bunch, basically. To the awards!

Worst of the Mixed Bag

Princess Charlene

Straight out of the gate, Charlene was an early favorite for the best dressed lady of the day. Yes, it's beige, and it's nonhatted. But it borders on a fierce level of chic with the cape (yay!) and the long gloves (YAY!) and just the right amount of textural contrast to the skirt. Plus, the hair and makeup are perfection - Her Serene Highness was glowing. So how on earth did she end up with a "Worst" award? Because the night came...

...and THIS happened. CHAR. Sweetie. It's like a Juicy Couture sweatsuit on evening duty. But the thing is, I'd be prepared to take the fabric and the single sleeve shenanigans if we could get a proper color up in here (you could call this "mink", I suppose; I'll go with "barn mouse") and a makeup and hair combo that didn't wash her out all alien-like. And you know, you know, I'd forgive every single above sin if she would've gone the tiara route. But she didn't, and my hopes have been forever dashed.

Best and Also Worst Because I'm Sad

Princess Caroline

Put Charlene and Caroline together and I think you've got one of the least formal, least blinged-out National Day galas in quite some time. Le sigh. I give up. In other news, Caroline's looking notably lovely - my irrational disappointment aside, she really did look younger than she's looked in a while.

Most in Need of a Switcheroo

Princess Caroline and Charlotte Casiraghi

As a matter of fact, she looked so young I'm gonna throw something out there: I think she and her daughter got their outfits mixed up. Caroline's day outfit, with a hat so very reminiscent of the one Charlotte wore to Albert's coronation, could use a dose of Charlotte's youthful irreverence, while Charlotte looks like she's been caught playing dress up in her mom's business suits. I like them both, I'm just saying: maybe we've got a Freaky Friday situation on our hands.

Best Expression

Princess Alexandra

I like this kid, and her wee polka dot tights. I like to think that expression says, "I'm in on the joke, and you're not." And clearly she's right!

Best Streak

Princess Stephanie

I don't know, guys. She was pretty good at the big wedding, and now I'm really liking her demure take on National Day. Here's hoping she keeps up the streak, as entertaining as her foibles can be.

Most Dependable

Prince Albert, Andrea Casiraghi, Pierre Casiraghi

Whether you're disappointed in the ladies or not, you can always turn to the men for a solid sartorial appearance, right? Right.

What did you make of family's National Day appearances?

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/PLS Pool/Zimbio

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 6-12 November

Here's what Máxima wore from 6-12 November:

1. Opening Money Week 2011, 7 November. A cape! Yay! I hope she swooped it around a bit, if so then I will forgive the matchy-matchy shoes.
2. At the opening conference of the European Office of the Sustainability Consortium, 8 November. A thoroughly typical outfit, topped with a new Natan coat.
3. Attending the Erasmus Prize award ceremony, 9 November. This is a little...lackluster, no?
4. Receiving the first coin made for Money Week, 10 November.
5. Welcoming Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) with her daughters, 12 November. My, my, I'm not sure when the last time was our colorful Máx was this monochrome for whole week (leave it to her to go with a reddish week instead of a grayish one, at least - bless!). We need some color variety, and for that we turn to the A-Team and their jaunty chapeaux:

Well done ladies, well done.

Photos: PPE/v.d. Werf/Dutch Photo Press/Nieboer

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 6-12 November

Here's what Mathilde wore from 6-12 November:

1. a and b) Visiting Maison de la Parentalité, 8 November. Ah! Another contestant in our Best Red Coat Contest. So, kids, how about this one? I'm a little dubious about the split of the ruffles, but even if I wasn't, the matching shoes kill it for me. The over-matching is a Mathilde trademark, and one I wish she'd wean herself from.
2. At the Antwerp book fair with the family, 10 November.
3. Commemorating Armistice Day at the Menen Gate, 11 November. Love this. It's solemn for the occasion, but it's also just so cute, right down to the oversize poppy.

Photos: Lavenir/Boekenbeurs/Zimbio/Getty Images

Week in Review: Princess Letizia, 30 October-5 November

Here's what Letizia wore from 30 October-5 November:

1. a) Attending the Francisco Cerecedo Journalism Awards, 2 November, in b) Hugo Boss. Her innards appear to have caught fire.
2. At Fiesta de la Banderita, fundraising for the Red Cross, 3 November.

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Hugo Boss

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 9-15 October

Here's what Charlene wore from 9-15 October:

1. At the Monaco Humanitary Group Presentation, 11 October. I think it's the neckline that makes this one. It's simple to the point of boring, but she looks chic. The shoes seem to be a bronze color, though they look brown in some pictures (which, if true, would have to result in a revocation of the "chic" declaration, I'm afraid).
2. Watching the Rugby World Cup in Auckland, 15 October.

Photos: PurePeople/Best Image/Daylife/Getty Images

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 2-8 October

Here's what Mathilde wore from 2-8 October:

1. a) Attending the Europalia Brasil Festival, 4 October, in a delicate dress I suspect is from Natan (rather similar to what we saw Princess Alexandra in for Luxembourg's National Day in a way, don't you think?), and with her intriguing taste in jewelry (b and c) on full display. I love a statement piece, but heart-shaped rocks cross the line from unique to cheesy in my book.
2. Visiting two Youth Competence Centers, 5 October. This might be as close to badass as our sweet Mathilde gets, and I like it. 

The whole family turned out for the festival:

Paola and Astrid did their regular elegant thing. Fabiola was, well, fab in a way only she can be. And Philippe and Mathilde cuddled. You know, as they do. You said you liked Mathilde because she warms your snarky hearts, so I'm just trying to oblige. (It was nice to see all the love for Mathilde last week, by the way. I really liked some of the alternate feature suggestions you had too - I have some thinking to do.)

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/PPE/van Katwijk

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 25 September - 1 October

Here's what Mary wore from 25 September - 1 October:

1. At the presentation of the Crown Prince Couple's Prize for Danish artists, 1 October. Okay, I'm just going to say it: this is one ugly dress. The random ruching/pleating/bunching/whatever, the colors...I don't get it. Sorry Mar, I think your undying love for Prada has done you wrong (this time and all the others you've worn it for too).

Photo: Thorsten Overgaard/Getty Images Europe/Zimbio

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 21-27 August

Here's what Victoria wore from 21-27 August:

1. Attending a memorial service for the Norway attacks, 21 August.


2. Meeting with WaterAidSweden to accept their patronage with Daniel, 22 August.


3. Awarding the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, 23 August.


4. Celebrating Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit's 10th wedding anniversary, 25 August. I applaud her for not going the safe route with her accessories...but snakeskin and polka dots? Not so much.


5. At their anniversary dinner, 25 August. This looks fabulous. Do you think if I stomp my feet loud enough, someone will produce a full length picture? No? Well, I tried.

So, it seems we have Victoria's maternity style: get a sack dress from Greta or Mayla, add some random necklaces and bracelets, call it good. Personally, I'm hoping that this is just the product of an emergency shopping trip because that baby grew too much for her to fit in her regular clothes, but not enough to make proper maternity wear work, and not a permanent staple until March. I don't think my attention span can handle it if that's not the case.

Anyway, let's end on some cuteness, no?

Victoria, a.k.a. Europe's godmother, and shy little godchild Ingrid Alexandra. Aww. At the service, Victoria read the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, which I do believe is the same reading she gave at the wedding ten years ago.

Photos: PurePeople/Abaca/Kungahuset/Svenskdam

Week in Review: Princess Eugenie, 24-30 July

Here's what Eugenie wore from 24-30 July:

1. a) and b) At the pre-wedding cocktail party for Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall, 29 July.
2. Attending Mike and Zara's wedding, 30 July. Official details on Eugenie's Angela Kelly outfit (tweeted by @RoyalReporter): the jacket has a flared bustle with a large (no kidding) bow in oyster at the back. Her dress is brown silk with a Swarovski crystal waistband, and her silk hat includes oyster colored feathers. Loosen up the skirt and figure out some other way to make a back statement, and she really would have had something her, methinks. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Photos: Reuters/Daylife/Hello/Getty Images/Splash News/Newscom

Royal Fashion Awards: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall's Wedding

My favorite Twitter hashtag for this event has been #BigFatScottishWedding. There's no better summary of this perfectly royal non-royal affair. We've got new clothes, old clothes, hat madness, players going rogue, and awards galore:

Best Repeat

The Duchess of Cambridge

As predicted by everyone (give the reader to your right a pat on the back), Kate repeated yet again today. But if you're gonna repeat, this is the way to do it: we've seen this before, more than once, but not so recently as to smack us with a case of déjà vu, and she's spiced it up with a new chapeau. A new chapeau that I love, by the way. But then again, I love anything that inches us closer to a proper hat and away from forehead-bolted fascinators. (P.S.: Yes, I do know some of these ladies and gents have Scottish titles. We're gonna keep it simple, though.)

Best Try

Princess Beatrice

Vibrant color: check. Excellent detailing: check. Shiny new outfit made special for your cousin's wedding: check. That usual Yorkie desire to reach in and tug the jacket for her: check. Upturned teacup hat: check with accompanying tears. Good try, though, Bea. (Interesting tidbit: both York girls were dressed for the day by Angela Kelly, the Queen's dresser and designer. Granny's solution to avoiding another airborne commode seat debacle?)

Worst Butt Bow

Princess Eugenie

It's like she saw how often you lot have been chatting about butt bows, and thought: "I'll show them!" Either that, or somebody's mum got hold of Ms. Kelly. Is this the biggest butt bow you've ever seen? Seriously, this can't be comfortable to sit in.

Best Explosion

The Duchess of Cornwall

Well, somebody had to bring the crazy in hat land. And this repeated detonation of prairie wildlife will do just fine. Really, though, she wore my favorite choker ever, so my hands are tied.

Worst Straight Jacket

Princess Anne

 

I see the beginnings of a kicky coral party dress under there...shame she topped it off with such an ill-fitting upholstery remnant. She does get extra cute points in the mother of the bride category: see her waving Zara and Mike off here. Awwww. Now, that's one proud mama.

Best Rule Breaker

Lady Sarah Chatto

Me: I thought you weren't supposed to wear white to a wedding.

Lady Sarah: I know, but there was an emergency. I look really good in white.

Most in Need of Some Rule Breaking

Autumn Phillips

Speaking of Autumn...this is just a business suit topped with a beach hat! It's like the wedding guest equivalent of what she did with her own wedding gown: business in front, bow in the back. Perfectly appropriate, but kind of sad at the same time.

Most Typical

Queen Elizabeth

Per usual, the Queen is classy and so forth. But: tremendously typical for such a special day. A second candidate for Autumn's prize, I feel.

Best Dressed

The Countess of Wessex

You guys, I think I'm developing a bit of a girl crush on Sophie here. She's my best dressed of the day, not just for her lovely pale pink ensemble with a hint of a sparkly party dress underneath, but for her overall efforts these past months. I'm loving it!

Best in Gents: Elder Generation

The Prince of Wales

 Left to Right: the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, Tim Laurence

I sort of love it when Prince Charles insists on marching to the beat of his own drummer and wearing his all-gray morning suit. Don't ask me why.

Best in Gents: Next Generation

Prince Harry

 L to R: the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Mike Tindall, Peter Phillips, Dave Clark

Well, they all look dashing, groom included. (With a special welcome to Princess Beatrice's boyfriend, Dave Clark, who was looking chummy enough this weekend to earn a spot amongst the royal men.) But come on...it's Harry.

Who made your best and worst dressed lists for Zara and Mike's wedding?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/PA/Daily Mail/Mark Cuthbert/ABACAUSA.com/Matt Keeble/Splash News/Reuters/Picture Press Europe/SIPA

Week in Review: Crown Princess Pavlos, 22-28 May

Here's what Marie-Chantal wore from 22-28 May:

1. Attending Máxima's 40th birthday concert, 27 May. Look how lovely she looks from the neck up! Seriously, she might be aging in reverse. This is some Benjamin Button business. Makes me even sadder about how bad that Valentino outfit is.

And here's one I missed from last week, attending a funeral in France on 20 May:

I love the detail on the coat - a perfect way to add interest to an all black outfit.

Photos: Isopix/PPE/v.d. Werf

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 1-7 May

Here's what Mathilde wore from 1-7 May:

1. Visiting the Tutankhamun exhibit in Brussels, 3 May. This is sweet. Almost too sweet, with that belt...but she's awfully sweet herself, so that saves it. (I mean, there are pictures of her clutching a teddy bear from this event! Come on!)
2. Opening "Focus on the Belgian Development Cooperation", 4 May, a) front view and b) full view. Is it pink? Is it orange? Tangerine? Some other fruit? And army green? Innnnteresting.
3. Visiting the Bloom Wingerd center, 5 May. Mixing prints on the skirt and shirt...once again, I say: innnnteresting. I didn't know I was going to need my n key so much this week.

Photos: HLN/Reuters/Belga/Isopix

Week in Review: Princess Beatrice, 17-23 April

Here's what Beatrice wore from 17-23 April:

1. Attending Holly Branson's engagement party, 21 April. Looks like a simple and flattering brown dress under all that wrap. Mostly I'm distracted by that necklace, which appears to have been rescued from the ocean after the old lady threw it in there when she was depressed about Leonardo DiCaprio dying.

Photo: Hello

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 3-9 April

Here's what Mathilde wore from 3-9 April:

1.  Meeting with businesswomen on the 2nd day of her economic mission to Russia with Prince Philippe, 4 April.
2. Visits on Day 3, 5 April. Very Russian-looking.
3. Evening reception on Day 3, 5 April. Eh, NATAN. Typical.
4. Visiting a children's home in Moscow, 6 April. Not bad, this.
5. Lunch with Russian women and a museum visit, 7 April. This is cute, this black and white number.
6. Attending a piano concert in the evening, 7 April. Purple, well, you know how I feel about that. Would have opted for a little less action in the fabric bunching and coordinating shoes rather than matching ones, though.
7. Visiting a charitable foundation on the last day of the visit, 8 April. Very typical Mathilde, but it works for her.

Best and Worst of the Week

Outfit 2 is nice and warm and very appropriate for the location. It reminds me of what she wore to the Eucharist Mass, and it's my best of the week for her. My worst, on the other hand, is the first outfit: I liked it when she was seated, but standing up...

Well, it's just wrong to let a garment do that to you. Shame on that dress.

Photos: hln.be/Belga/Scanpix