Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 13-19 November

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

1. Celebrating King's Day in Brussels, 15 November. I'm not even going to try and play like I'm pondering it: I LOVE the leopard. So help me, I do. It takes a lot to make an animal print classy and not trashy, and she's pulling it off with the assistance of those gray accessories. J'adore.
2. More celebrations at Parliament, 15 November. This, on the other hand...not so much. Too. Much. Fringe.
3. a and b) Visiting the province of Luxembourg, 16 November in a colorblocked coat which is lovely, but Princess Claire did it better (see below).
4. a and b) Visiting a literacy project, 17 November.
5. Launching the "Week of Reading Aloud", 18 November, in a combo that I disliked so much I think I ended up coming around to the other side and now find it oddly enjoyable.

King's Day is a family affair (except not for the actual King and Queen), and Princess Astrid is the only other one that hatted up, in her upturned mixing bowl with the Hello Kitty bow stuck on front. That eternal rebel Queen Fabiola went without (can't be messing up the hair, man)...

...as did Princess Claire, who seems now to be back in royal action with her errant hubby, Prince Laurent. In the realm of colorblocking, both Claire and Mathilde picked outfits that seem to be aiming for that young mod look, and Claire (who looks like she's 15 anyway) is just a better fit.

Photos: Zimbio/Getty Images/PPE/Nieboer/Belga

Week in Review: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 13-19 November

Here's what Maria Teresa wore from 13-19 November:

1. Attending the annual Red Cross Bazaar, 13 November, with Princess Tessy and Princes Gabriel and Noah. While I think there are more sophisticated color palettes to be had, I like this shape for MT: slim fit blazer with slim skirt and such underneath, with a long necklace to break it up even more.
2. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of SIPO, 17 November.

Photos: Jean-Claude Ernst/L'essential/SIPO/Cour gr ducale

Week in Review: Princess Letizia, 23-29 October

Here's what Letizia wore from 23-29 October:

1. Opening the National Congress of the Family Enterprise, 24 October, a) quite a recent repeat, and b) with the coat.
2. Audiences at Zarzuela Palace, 27 October. Yeah, this goes back to crossing the "too casual" line once again. A plain t-shirt with a Mr. Rogers cardi thrown on top doesn't make the cut.

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Zimbio

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 23-29 October

Here's what Mathilde wore from 23-29 October:

1. Continuing the economic mission to China, day 3, 23 October, with a sort of a giant sweater coat (a) over a printed Natan dress (b - you know, it's 98% Natan, I don't even bother pointing it out these days).
2. Day 4, 24 October, in a coat with orange accents (a) over an orange dress (b). The coat is especially cute here, and I'm really really happy she didn't opt for a pair of her favorite orange pumps.
3. An evening reception on day 4, 24 October, after which she departed the China trip to go home for Elisabeth's 10th birthday (her husband stayed on).
4. Attending an autumn concert at the Royal Palace in Brussels, 28 October. Some bad prom hair there, with those odd curls at the front, but at least she goes for the updo, right?!

The concert was a family affair, with Paola and Fabiola looking their usual classy selves and Princess Astrid...well, you know, she's apparently going to run the New York City Marathon with her husband and son Amadeo, and that's impressive enough to shut my couch-sitting wine-drinking self up about a shiny sea creature coat or two.

UPDATE: Mathilde also attended a working lunch with a group of female entrepreneurs on October 27th.

Photos: Nieuwsblad/HLN/Purepeople/Abaca/APAPictureDesk

Week in Review: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 9-15 October

Here's what Maria Teresa wore from 9-15 October:

1. An audience with a delegation of Special Olympics participants, 12 October.
2. Attending the Red Cross' annual fashion show in Luxembourg, 12 October. Oh, MT. This is a bad bad outfit. It is not your sartorial friend.

Photos: Cour grand-ducale/BGL/BNP/PARIBAS/Jean-Claude Ernst/Tageblatt

Week in Review: Princess Letizia, 9-15 October

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

1. Meeting with World Heritage leaders, 10 October. Some of you said you got a bad 1970s flashback from this, but I actually like it. I may be swayed by my current state of fall pumpkin baked goods bliss.
2. National Day, 12 October.
3. Opening a technology fair, 13 October. National Day is still my favorite of the week, but even this more casual look isn't bothering me as much as her usual cardigan looks do.
4. In Barcelona visiting an exhibition and attending an awards ceremony, 15 October. A great repeated cocktail dress, and a super cute picture. Directly in competition with one other for Cutest Letizia Picture of the Week:

You think they're making her explain why she left her crown at home?

Photos: Bekia/Mujer Deelite/Daylife

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 9-15 October

Here's what Mette-Marit wore from 9-15 October:

1. a and b) Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen, 10 October. Part of me wants to dole out compliments for the use of color and for doing something different with the hair, while the rest of me can't stop thinking she looks like a schoolgirl from a Dr. Seuss tale.
2. a and b) Dinner for the commemoration, 10 October. PURPLE! Yay.
3. Visiting the Work Institute Buskerud, 11 October. I'm very entertained by the nametags here. "HELLO! My name is: Your Future Queen. Figure it out."

Photos: Daylife/Reuters/Zimbio/Getty Images/Lehtikuva

Week in Review: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 11-17 September

Here's what Maria Teresa wore from 11-17 September:

1. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the steel industry in Luxembourg, 15 September. The Luxembourg royals are back from their summer vacation, rested and tanned, and MT's back in a great repeat for her (wrinkles and all!).
2. An audience with Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, 16 September. This one's perfectly serviceable too, though it makes me wonder if they celebrate Halloween in Luxembourg.

Photos: RTL/Cour grand-ducale

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 21-27 August

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

1. Opening the Museum Archeologiehuis, 23 August.
2. Visiting the Al Amal foundation, 26 August.
3. Meeting with Dutch members of Mensa, 22 August. A little busy, this Missoni, but a nice break in a week filled with typical Natan.

Photos: PPE/v.d.Werf/Mensa Netherlands

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 14-20 August

Here's what Máxima wore from 14-20 August:

1. Opening the Xnoizz Flevo Festival in Natan, 18 August. Orange clothes? Messy hair? Haphazard accessories? That can only mean one thing, my friends: Máxima's back!

Photos: PPE/v.d. Werf

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 17-23 July

Here's what Mathilde wore from 17-23 July:

1. Attending a chamber music course with daughter Elisabeth, 19 July. Natan, like most of the week and most of her outfits most times.
2. Viewing an exhibit for the summer opening of the palace, 20 July. This is my favorite of the week - that jacket creates a wonderful shape for her!
3. Concert on the eve of National Day, 20 July.
4. Te Deum on National Day, 21 July. This is indeed what was under her outfit for the wedding in London, and it's a bit of a hot mess for a couture piece, no?
5. Military Parade on National Day, 21 July.
6. Attending other National Day festivities, 21 July.

Photos: Reuters/Daylife/Purepeople/Abaca

Royal Fashion Awards: Belgian National Day 2011

While I was away, the Belgians celebrated National Day with a concert, Te Deums at various locations, and a military parade. Knowing how they've spruced it up for National Days past, I had my hopes up for at least a few giggles this year. The verdict? Disappointingly tame. Regardless, we continue on with our usual shenanigans:

Best Spirit

Queen Fabiola

Electric blue tights. YES. There's no better way to say "I'm 83 years old, people seem to enjoy throwing death threats my way; I'll do what I please." Fab indeed.

Most Consistent

Princess Astrid

Astrid's like Princess Anne in that her best showings involve rocking the lady military uniform. She does have a bit of non-uniform game, though: the gold number's simple and elegant (if a bit of a wrinkly mess). Her daughter Princess Laetitia Maria made a cute companion in dual greens.

Most Typical

Princess Mathilde

Head-to-toe typical Mathilde on show this year, including one trend she seems to be catching lately: the copy cat. She wears Kate's Issa dress, followed by a near-replica of Máxima's royal wedding outfit...and now she turns up in Armani's version of Mary's dress from the Monaco wedding! What's up with that?

Best Dressed

Queen Paola

I'm usually not that impressed by Paola. I mean, she just doesn't stick out that much. And it's not that there's anything terribly memorable here either, but together: it's a nice showing. Cute polka dots and a flattering flower print? Why not?

Most Missed

Princess Claire

Princess Claire is the one that usually makes National Day so darn entertaining. She puts extra special care into her outfits, and I always appreciate her eye-searing efforts. Alas, with her husband's particular brand of misfit not currently welcomed with open arms at the royal court, she went M.I.A. Claire and Laurent attended only a popular street party with their children in tow. Shape up, Laurent: I'm going to need some LOLs next year from your better half!

Who made your best dressed list this year?

Photos: Hola/AP Photo/Reuters/Daylife/PurePeople/Abaca

Week in Review: Princess Letizia, 17-23 July

Here's what Letizia wore from 17-23 July:

1. a) Meeting with directors of the Cervantes Institute, 20 July. I feel like I shouldn't like this, but I do. Maybe I'm too swayed by the accessories, as I'm coveting that clutch (b), and the Pretty Ballerinas shoes are sparkly! (Sparkly with Swarovski crystals and a hefty price tag, mind you.)
2. a) and b) Attending audiences at Zarzuela Palace, 21 July. I only like this one from the back. Too bad most business requires a face to complete.

Photos: Divinity.es/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 3-9 July

Here's what Victoria wore from 3-9 July:

1. Attending the after-wedding brunch for the Prince and Princess of Monaco's wedding, 3 July. This is a very 1920s dress to me...by which I mean, shapeless. You know I love the color, though.
2. In Paris with the family after the wedding. Cardi over the stripes: yay or nay? I can't decide.

UPDATE: Here's another Paris sighting. They were there for a wedding.

Photos: Isopix/Zimbio

Week in Review: Princess Madeleine, 3 - 9 July

Here's what Madeleine wore from 3-9 July:

1. Attending the after-wedding brunch for the Prince and Princess of Monaco's wedding, 3 July. Love this for a little brunching.
2. In Paris with the family after the wedding. These are the times when I really, really love her casual style...
3. Out and about in Stockholm, and with her boyfriend...and these are the times when I don't.

UPDATE: Another Paris sighting.

Photos: Zimbio/Expressen/Isopix

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 19-25 June

Here's what Mathilde wore from 19-25 June:

1. Starting an economic mission to New York, 22 June.
2. Day 2, 23 June. Have to be Natan, these first two ensembles. Not bad at all, just typical.
3. At a reception on Day 2, 23 June. Repeating from her sister's civil wedding ceremony. Love this dress for her.
4. Day 3, 24 June. Well, you know how I feel about purple. But even if I wasn't a grape fanatic, I'd like this one for her. The draping covers just what it needs to cover. This one might be my favorite of the week.
5. Attending a concert, 24 June. YELLOW. But this is a princess, second to Máxima, that can pull off the colors.
6. Day 4, 25 June. Look: Mathilde has caught Kate fever. This is a blue version of the black Issa wrap dress Ms. Middleton was spotted shopping in just before her wedding. I'm really surprised to see Mathilde in Issa! I will never be a huge fan of the brand, but a dress with a design that can flatter both of these ladies is a design feat indeed.

Photos: Belga/Diane von Furstenberg/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 12-18 June

Here's what Mathilde wore from 12-18 June:

1. Visiting Limburg, 15 June. Flats! Cute red ones, too.
2. Participating in an MS event at Hasselt University, 16 June, a) on Mathilde and b) the dress from Natan. Mathilde has this dress in the pink and with orange ornamentation instead of the white/beige, and I can see why - it looks great on her! I like this enough to forgive the matching orange shoes that are under there. 

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: Princess Letizia, 5-11 June

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

1. Attending a lunch for the Governor-General of Australia, 7 June. The orange returns!
2. Visiting the Senate and presenting a journalism award, 8 June, a) on Letizia, b) from Ailanto, and c) a view of the purse, which seems to have some sort of neon geological formation stuck to it.
3. Holding a meeting for the Prince of Asturias Foundation, 9 June. A week of color and prints and skirts? Be still my heart. Well done, Leti.

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 29 May - 4 June

Here's what Máxima wore from 29 May - 4 June:

1. Attending a conference on "Impact Investing", 30 May, a) on Máxima and b) from Natan. Oops, somebody shrunk their jacket in the wash! Oh, it's supposed to be that way? That's unfortunate.
2. Opening the Present Foundation, 31 May.
3. At a concert commemorating the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan, 31 May, a) on Máxima and b) from Valentino. You see how her arms strategically cover that belt? That's the only smart thing about this outfit. (And speaking of laundry mishaps: this thing is a hot wrinkly mess!)
4. At a school in Rotterdam, 1 June. Okay. Whew. We're ending the week on a much better Máxima note. Every time she wears this, I think, "Only on Máxima!"

Photos: Svenskdam/PPE/Style.com/Marcio Madeira