Week in Review: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 28 August - 3 September

Here's what Mette-Marit wore from 28 August - 3 September:

1. Attending a relative's confirmation, 28 August. Back in national dress, just like I like her.
2. At the welcome ceremony beginning the state visit from South Africa to Norway, 31 August. What a difference a red lip makes, am I right?
3. a) The state banquet, 31 August, in b) Valentino. Well, it's a different take on the ruffles she's so fond of, I'll give her that. Actually, I'm digging the dress, I'm just not sure about the hippie-esque vibe alongside her orders and tiara. Even if her tiara is made of daisies.
4. Visiting Zurich International School, 1 September.
5. At the opening of the One Young World Summit in Zurich, 1 September. LOVE. Perfect LBD for her.

It's a state visit, so we'd better do a tiara roundup:

Mette-Marit in her Diamond Daisy Tiara, Queen Sonja in her massive emeralds, and Astrid...oh, Astrid! These are her wings. (See also: horns, antennae, and feathers - which is what they're actually supposed to be.) Every time she wears this, she takes another step up on my list of royals I'd like to have a drink with. You just can't sport something like that without a great sense of humor.

Gown check:

I think that's a new gown for Sonja, and a passable one at that; and a multi-repeat from Astrid, per usual. Plus a rather...erm...bountiful gown for the South African First Lady there. Wow.

Photos: fvn.no/Kristin Ellefsen/siste.no/Valentino/blich.ch/Schweizer Illustrierte

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 10-16 July

Here's what Victoria wore from 10-16 July:

1. Out for a walk.
2. Attending a ceremony to unveil trees that she and Daniel received as wedding gifts, 13 July, a) on Victoria and b) from Diane von Furstenberg with those YSL heels. This is one of those things that I hate on the hanger, but actually on her it looks pretty good. (And hey: no ponytail!)
3. Celebrating her 34th birthday, 14 July. Simple, but effective. 
4. At her birthday concert, 14 July. 

It was a very cute week in Victoria Land, from delight at wedding presents and birthday fans...

...right down to getting drenched with the family while enjoying her birthday concert. Gotta love the trash bag rain protection!

Photos: Getty Images/AP Photo/Daylife

Flashback Friday: Oh, Canada!

After extensive research including strenuous minutes of googling, I've come to a conclusion: strange things happen in Canada. Well, to the royals at least.

The Queen wears trousers! Prince Philip listens to...rapper-type people!

William and Kate are heading off to Canada (with a pit stop in California) soon (peruse the Canadian itinerary here and the American one here), and all eyes are on the fashion. All my eyes are, at least. There are some serious fashion hurdles ahead of the Duchess, so I thought we'd take a look back at how past royals have handled these Canadian obstacles, and what handy trip tips we can offer to the lovely Kate.

Hurdle #1: The Cowboy Hat

William and Kate will indeed be sporting ten gallon cowboy hats during their trip, just as multiple family members before them have. I think the fashion question here belongs not to the Duchess, but to the Duke: will William wear a bolo tie? Dear God, let's hope not. That's not a good look for anyone.

Hurdle #2: The Action Trip

The trip itinerary has spawned the greatest comparisons to the Canadian tour undertaken by the Duke and Duchess of York at the height of their popularity (yes, they were popular, once). The Yorks had an action trip, mucking in instead of observing. That's exactly what the Cambridges are doing; their events include playing street hockey, captaining dragon boats, cooking, and more. Let's hope they dress more appropriately for their boating turn, and that they remember this one simple fact: strangling people, no matter how fun, is never royal.

Tip #1: Dress thyself in red and white.

Hurdles aside, one thing Kate must be sure and bring along for a successful Canada trip is plenty of red and white. The whole purpose of the trip is to fly the Canadian flag, so she might as well jump full in and make it her uniform. Especially when the couple's going to be there on Canada Day and all. There shouldn't be too many opportunities for evening wear for the Cambridges, so perhaps we'll be spared another attempt at crafting a gown from the Canadian flag.

Tip #2: Bring on the maple leaves.

Same goes here as for the red and white: if it's on the flag, it should also be on the royals. Brooch it up, bedazzle something - Kate can do whatever she pleases with the leaf du pays...but I say once again, there's no need to be comical about it. Let's stop just before we reach Fergie territory. (Sound advice for life, really, not just for maple leafage.)

Tip #3: Put it on with a smile.

This one's universal, but since it's the Cambridge's first big trip, it's worth saying: no matter what someone hands you, you're gonna have to put it on and smile. Doesn't matter if it's actually cool (Roots gear, anyone?) or terribly odd (bedazzled 3D specs? Huh?), just grin and sport your new present. And if you start to feel ridiculous, just remember: it could be much worse.

Sometimes they make you get ALL dressed up, just for photographer giggles. It's a hard knock royal life.

What are you hoping to see from our next feature film, The Cambridges Take North America? Do you have any extra tips to offer?

Photos: Getty Images/Tim Graham/Anwar Hussein

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 5-11 June

Here's what Victoria wore from 5-11 June:

1. Opening the palace for National Day in Sweden, 6 June. This one again! I like it more every time she wears it.
2. Attending an open air concert for National Day, 6 June.
3. Visiting the Nobel Museum, 9 June. Looks like we might have a pair of killer shoes on our hands...

Photos: SVT/Svenskdam

Week in Review: Princess Madeleine, 5-11 June

Here's what Madeleine wore from 5-11 June:

1. a) and b) meandering around New York with her boyfriend at some point.
2. Opening an exhibition at the American-Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia, 5 June. Can't really see it, but it definitely has princess potential!
3. National Day festivities in Sweden, 6 June. Can't go wrong with national costume.
4. Out and about in Stockholm, 9 June. This I like, this I would wear myself.
5. At a meeting of the World Childhood Foundation, 9 June.
6. At a café in Stockholm on her birthday, 10 June. Nothing says "festive" for one's birthday like pink trousers. Happy 29th, Madde!

Photos: SVT/Royal Court/Billed Bladet/BEW

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 15-21 May

Here's what Mette-Marit wore from 15-21 May:

1. National Day celebrations, 17 May. Well, hello again, M-M! Haven't seen you in a while. Missed you, and your gorgeous national costume.
2. Balcony appearance, 17 May. What a natty day for gentlemen's fashion in Norway, eh? First the britches, now the top hats. But back to the Mette-Marit: this is the outfit of a future Queen, if you know what I mean.

Photos: Svenskdam

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 15-21 May

Here's what Victoria wore from 15-21 May:

1. Speaking at the opening of the Nobel Laureate Symposium on Global Sustainability, 17 May. Here's a full length view from a previous outing.
2. Arriving in Ockelbo (Daniel's home) for their three day visit, 19 May.
3. Dinner at Gavle Palace, 19 May, a) on Victoria and b) from Escada. We have this one in navy, and the long version in red...wow, when she likes something, she goes all out, doesn't she?
4. More engagements, 20 May, with YSL shoes and Malene Birger bag (Victoria often goes with Birger for bags).
5. Reception in Ockelbo, 20 May. The traditional outfits were a wedding gift.
6. Last day in Ockelbo, 21 May. Ah, a repeat from the glorious stylist days before the wedding. Nostalgia!

Best and Worst of the Week

Let's start with the worst. Outfit 2...well, it looks like something Queen Elizabeth would have worn in at Victoria's age, sensible lady that she is. Which is fine. For 1956. I'm no fan of that H&M dress from outfit 4, but at least it's youthful! The Alberta Ferretti is also a rather mature look, but it gets my best anyways because I'm still clinging to the notion that she might make a triumphant return to her pre-wedding style one of these days. A girl can dream.

Photos: PPE/Svenskdam/ANP/PurePeople/Abaca

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 20-26 February

Here's what Mette-Marit wore from 20-26 February:

1. Attending the opening ceremonies of the Nordic Ski World Championships in Oslo, 23 February.
2. World Cup dinner, 23 February. Love a princess in national costume. To me, this is just as royal as a ball gown and tiara. Apparently, this is a reconstructed costume from 1810. Price tag: 80,000 kroner (more than $14,000).
3. Again at the Championships, 26 February, a) inside the volunteer tent and b) bundled up outside. Look here, our first ever princess in suspenders on the blog! A dubious honor indeed.

Photos: Svenskdam/AP Photo/Daylife

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 29 August - 4 September

Here's what Crown Princess Mette-Marit wore the week of 29 August - 4 September:

1.  Awards ceremony, 30 August.
2. a), b) and c) Visit to Aust-Adger, 31 August.  So many things...all the same.  Why?
3. Visit to Aust-Adger, 1 September.  If she hadn't thrown the red in, I wouldn't even know it was a different day.
4. a) and b) Visit to Aust-Adger, 2 September.  Thank goodness for national costume!  Finally some color.  She's wearing the shoes with the little balls on them again in 2b.

Best and Worst of the Week

Well, this black coat is the best cut of the week.  Otherwise, what a boring week!  Why would you pack slightly different versions of the exact same thing for a trip?  Not even a hot shoe to keep me interested.  Snooze.

Photos: side2/PPE/Nieboer

Month in Review: Queen Rania, June

Here's what Queen Rania wore in June:

1.  Inaguration of Family Protection Directorate center, 4 June.
2. Visiting Al Karak, 7 June.
3. Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, 19 June.
4. Visiting Aqaba for the Jordan River Foundation, 25 June.  Pretty typical Rania here, but she really should have belted this jacket (shirt?).  This just looks like a windbreaker thrown on at the last minute.
5. Zaha Cultural Center in Amman, 28 June.  Yes, belts are defnitely the way to go.
6. Meeting with US Entrepreneurial Delegation, 29 June.
7. Jordan Festival, 30 June. 
8. Military ceremony, 30 June.  A summery and fun take on the traditional thoub.

Best and Worst of the Month

Rania, like Letizia, enjoys a safari style jacket.  But there are right ways and wrong ways to wear it; the first appearance this month is pulled together with a colored belt to create a professional look.  The navy version, on the other hand, looks sloppy worn loose.

Royal Fashion Awards: Garter Day 2010

I like to make up my own little scenarios for what plays out behind the scenes whilst these get-ups are donned:

Feather-poufiness competitions! 

Sword fights! (Casualty on the right!)  Don't even try to pretend like you wouldn't go swooping about like Severus Snape if you owned one of these outfits.

But I digress.  There weren't that many royals present (out of uniform, at least), but lets give out some fashion awards anyways, shall we?


Best Dressed
HM The Queen

Because nothing says "monarch" like an outfit that requires 2 full-time train managers.


Best In Show, Non-Monarch Division
Lady Nicholas Windsor

Is this just about the most British thing you've ever seen, or what?  You've got your hat, your umbrella, a hubby decked out in morning dress.  Delicious.  And the tastiest part of the ensemble is most certainly the coat.  How great is this?  Perfect fit, nipping in at the waist like that is always a good move.  Love a navy and tan combo.  The only thing I would change are the shoes - those ankle straps are chopping off her legs.


"Yikes!" of the Day Award
Sophie, Countess of Wessex

This suit is recycled from last year's Ascot.  You'd think royal etiquette would dictate that one shouldn't attempt to compete with the madness of a Garter hat and robes, but you'd be wrong.


Biggest Snooze of the Day
The Duchess of Gloucester

Look above: she's half cut out of the picture in green by Sophie.  I don't even need to see the whole outfit; I can't find a picture of her where she isn't behind people, or half cut out.  Enough said.

Photos:  Steve Parsons/WPA Pool/Getty Images/Adrian Dennis/PPE/Nieboer/Photo Pool/Anwar Hussein Collection/Belga/WENN.com

National Day in Sweden

Sometimes, royal fashion is just out of your control.

Kind of cute, really, these national costumes.

Photo: Scanpix

Princess Lalla Salma Gets Ethereal

This is kind of magical, isn't it? At the Sacred Music Festival in Fez:

Royal ladies that have cultural or religious customs to accommodate in their clothing choices and yet still manage to look elegant, stylish and appropriate always jump right to the top of the best-dressed stakes in royal fashion. Lalla Salma, you win.