Gold Star: Queens with Diplomatic Flair

Dressing diplomatically is an art form, if you ask me. The outfits on a royal foreign trip are not the point of the thing - even someone as frivolous as I can admit that - but when they're done just right, they can help the whole operation along. A detail here or there can be just the thing, a little exclamation point, to emphasize thoughtfulness, consideration, and respect for the other country. Today we're handing out gold stars to two queens for just such exclamation points.

Many of you have asked to be kept updated on the lovely new Queen of Bhutan, so here you go: it seems the photogenic King and Queen haven't stopped moving since the wedding. They've paid state visits to India and Japan, and have touched down in Singapore and Thailand. This past week has seen them visit the United Kingdom. Talk about your trial by fire, and for a 21-year-old queen at that: Jetsun Pema laughs in the face of royal brides taking the slow route into their new lives!

Naturally, she's brought with her a whole array of colorful national dress options, some of which are shown above. It's nice not to have to spend time coming up with synonyms for beige for a change, isn't it?

We also got a few tastes of her Western style, just for a little variety.

Well, there's that beige problem again, but the only thing we can conclude here is that Her Majesty has a taste for expensive handbags: I spy Chanel and an elusive Hermès Birkin bag.

This is not what she gets her gold star for, though. Diplomatic dressing, that's our point here.

Her white outfit, worn while debuting the King's photography book in New Delhi, is both gorgeous and the perfect nod to Indian style; but the real winner is the kimono in Japan. Their visit seemed to be a great success, and gamely sporting another culture's national dress is the perfect sartorial expression to sum it up. Well played.

From a 21-year-old queen just getting her feet wet to one that's the definition of a pro, our second gold star goes out to Queen Elizabeth.

This week saw the Queen host a state visit to Britain from Turkey, including some married people cuteness and a little forward-facing side-eye directed at the First Lady's intriguing taste in footwear. (Suddenly I'm dying if she noticed Sheikha Mozah's icicle boots.)

It's the state banquet, though, that gets our star. And not just because she seems to have decided to go with "giant diamonds" as her accessory theme for the night, either (though that's certainly grounds on its own). She chose this night as her first public outing of Queen Victoria's magnificent waterfall brooch, and it was no mistake: the brooch includes diamonds given to Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey. Sneaky little diplomatic gesture, isn't it?

She wore the brooch with the coronation necklace (also from Queen Victoria) and a pair of earrings once worn by her mother which were another fabulous part of the Greville inheritance. The brooch is supposed to be a part of the summer exhibit at Buckingham Palace next year, "Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration". Start shopping for plane tickets now if you need them, kids.

Another notable brooch popped out to say farewell to the Turkish guests: an emerald carved with a rose on the front and surrounded by diamonds, a gift from the Ladies of India to Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911.

Since we're talking jewels, you know, as we do, this trip also gave us good shots of two royal ladies we don't usually get to see in their state visit finery: Princess Anne sat in Camilla's spot for the banquet (Camilla was out sick) wearing the Festoon Tiara, and Princess Michael played the lead royal lady role at the Guildhall banquet (that's usually the Duchess of Gloucester's spot these days). She wore one of my favorite Kent tiaras, an oh-so-pretty diamond and pearl number, and paired it with a rather costume-ish bodice decoration. I suspect that it's fake (look at the size of those pearls!) and that it might even be a part of the gown, which is...odd. She did manage to cover up appropriately for the devout Muslim guest of honor, so I suppose points have to be awarded for that.

Do you have a favorite moment from these trips?

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/Hello/Royal Collection

Royal Fashion Awards: The Queen in Australia

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have just wrapped a much-publicized trip to Australia which some have been billing as her "last" trip Down Under. I doubt it myself, but that doesn't mean we won't give her the applause she deserves in the form of a single person edition of the Royal Fashion Awards. It's QEII vs. QEII, head-to-head-to-head-to...let's just get on with it:

Best Outfit

Perfectly Pink in Melbourne

Click to enlarge

Tip o' the hat to outfit #7 - a repeat of sunshine from the royal wedding - and the divine white and silver #5, but the pink of #10 wins the trip. Perfectly vibrant color, perfect hat shape, perfect all over. Plus, it resulted in this bit of cuteness:

Twinsies!

Best Brooch

The Australian Wattle Brooch

Click to enlarge

First, the brooch lineup:

1. The Australian Wattle Brooch
2. A sapphire, diamond and ruby brooch that was a gift from her parents in 1945
3. A diamond and pearl brooch from the Queen Mother's collection
4. One of her diamond bow brooches, looks like one of the three Queen Victoria had made in 1858
5. Flowers in precious and semi-precious stones, a gift from a Sri Lankan state visit in 1981
6. A diamond and gold rose brooch
7. A diamond paisley brooch from the Queen Mother's collection
8. The Jardine Star, a gift from Lady Jardine and one of HM's faves
9. A diamond lily brooch, a gift from the City of London in 1947
10. Rubies, diamonds and gold in a modern design
11. Repeat! See #3.
12. A sapphire flower, again from the Queen Mum's stash
13. The Rhodesian flame lily brooch, a gift from the children of Rhodesia for her 21st birthday

And now, the undisputed best of the trip: the Australian Wattle. It's not just one she brings out of duty to the Australian people, who gave it to her in 1954, it's actually one of the gifts she wears on the regular. And who wouldn't? It's just lousy with white and yellow diamonds (in the form of a spray of wattle, the national flower).

Biggest Omission

The Andamooka Opal

Hey, Your Majesty, speaking of Australian gifts: why have you left the Andamooka opal in the vaults for so long? The people of south Australia gave this massive 203 carat opal to you in 1954, you wore it once, and you've neglected it ever since. I know opals are an acquired taste (they're not my favorites either), but I think Angela Kelly could come up with a gown to make this baby work. Or maybe that's just my absurd fondness for a statement necklace shining through.

Worst Hat

Teal in Perth

Brim's all kinds of stumpy, ornamentation is just too much...giant no to this one.

Best Picture

Meeting Elizabeth Cambage

Ha! Extra props to Ms. Cambage because she had heels on. I mean, when you're 6'8", what's the point in playing around?

Best Only Tiara

The Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara

This parure stems from a set of aquamarines QEII received as gifts from Brazil. It's gone through a lot of changes through the years (a story for some future Thursday), and the redesign merry-go-round stopped on this clunky thing. Can you tell it's not my favorite? I want to like it, I really do - who am I to argue with stones that size? - but it just fails me in the execution department. And you know how irrational I get when faced with sparkle let-down.

What were the trip highlights for you?

Photos: Daylife/Zimbio/Getty Images/Reuters/AP Photo/Royal Collection

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 Mette-Marit, 29 May - 4 June

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

1. At the welcome ceremony for the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg's state visit, 30 May, a) on Mette-Marit, and b) the dress from the Valentino runway. What's with the coat? Looks like she borrowed one from her husband at the last minute and tossed it on over her (otherwise) feminine ensemble.
2. Gala dinner, 30 May. Danger: sash conflicts ahead.
3. Day 2 of the state visit, 31 May. 
4. Reception on Day 2 of the state visit. I like this! No, scratch that: I like the idea of this. I like the idea of a big skirt with a big print and a cardigan on top. But I think you've got to have a few things in order before you can pull it off: 1) a snugly fit cardi that doesn't involve a bow across your boobs; 2) a skirt/dress underneath that's not a one-shouldered affair (that's what this looks like, doesn't it?); and 3) a fancier hairstyle. You have to fancy something up if you're going to go with an evening cardigan. 

You can see the Grand Duchess's wardrobe from the state visit in her week in review post. For now: more gala gowns!

Märtha Louise: radiant. Astrid: either a great look for her or a repurposed nightie, depending on your perspective. Sonja: ....oh, Sonja.

And JEWELS!

Astrid in the Vasa Tiara, Mette-Marit in her (oh so tiny) wedding tiara, Sonja in the larger version of Queen Maud's Pearl Tiara, and Märtha Louise in King Olav's Gift Tiara. Is it just me, or does that headband-placement of M-M's tiara just not work?

Photos: siste.no/APA PictureDesk/Style.com/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 29 May - 4 June

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

1. Attending a mass for the Octave.
2. At the closing of the Octave of Our Lady of Luxembourg, 29 May. Strange brim on this hat, no? Very...severe. Or something.
3. The welcome ceremony to kick off the state visit from Luxembourg to Norway, 30 May. Ah, the Spring Wonder again! And this time it's grown a little pillbox hat and a cornucopia of fresh produce (maybe?) as a brooch. Still love it, I do. Fantastic shape for her, and she's uniquely suited for this color scheme.
4. More events on Day 1 of the state visit, 30 May. Also worn sans hat. Plain, but I like it.
5. The gala dinner, 30 May. It always bothers me when she uses her wraps as permanent parts of her dress. [Caution: rant ahead.] Can you imagine how annoying that must be? To eat and shake hands and such while keeping your wrap permanently glued to your upper arms? I mean, if you're uncomfortable showing off that part of your body, just don't wear strapless gowns. [End rant.]

Let's pause for a brief diamond break, shall we? We shall.

On her head, Joséphine-Charlotte's Diamond Belgian Scroll Tiara; around her neck, a necklace that can also be worn as a tiara (though not very successfully, in my humble opinion). You will not find that piece in my list of Maria Teresa's tiaras as I've never seen a picture of her wearing it as such. (Same goes for the other tiara-convertible sapphire necklace and sapphire bracelet the family has.) I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on that, but until then, I'll just assume she agrees with me about the unsuccessfulness of its tiara capabilities.

[And now we return to our regularly scheduled weekly review...]

6. Day 2, 31 May. Uh oh, the Shapeless Suit has returned. A shame.
7. More on Day 2. Sort of the same as Outfit 3...so yes, I really do like this shape on MT.
8. Still on Day 2, the Day of Outfit Changes, I guess, which means she has to repeat Outfit 1!
9. Reception at the end of Day 2. Apparently, we all liked this dress so much when she wore it in red, she went and ordered a second in Kermit Green! We can assume this one is also Elie Saab, then. I confess, I miss the gorgeous deep red, but this is still a great dress. (And you see what I mean about a gown that just covers the arms, MT? So much easier!)

Here, the state visit road ends for our Grand Duchess, even though her husband and the Norwegian royals carried on for another day. Maria Teresa's brother is very ill in the States, and she departed to be with him. You can see the rest of the state visit from the Norwegian side in Mette-Marit's week in review post.

Let's backtrack for a moment to the other significant event of the week: the closing of the Octave in Luxembourg usually gets a fair family turnout, and this year was no exception.

 Left to Right: Princess Tessy, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis (half hidden behind Alexandra), the Hereditary Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, the Grand Duke

Love, love Tessy's look, from the big ol' hat right down to the red purse. Alexandra's not making a bad showing either, though she seems a bit thrown together, with her beige(-ish?) fascinator, white coat, navy or black dress, and black shoes.

And the gentlemen...well, they certainly make them dapper in Luxembourg, don't they? Even the littlest family members turned up for the day's balcony appearance:

Prince Noah and Prince Gabriel, sons of Louis and Tessy, dapper princes in training. (Good call taking the hat off, Tessy. Can't you just see one of those boys yanking it off and giving it a toss over the edge?)

Photos: Siste.no/Cour grand-ducale/RTL/Tageblatt/Mark Wilwert/Wort/Vic Fischbach/Getty Images/Daylife/AP Photo/Reuters

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 22-28 May

Here's what Catherine wore from 22-28 May:

1. Greeting the Obamas at Buckingham Palace, 24 May, a) on Kate and b) from Reiss. Are we all talked out about this dress? I think it's fine. How's that for a scintillating assessment?

Photos: Reuters/Daily Mail/Reiss

Flashback Friday: When Obamas Meet Royals

Hey, did you guys know that the President and First Lady of the United States went all the way to the United Kingdom this week just to meet Kate? (And William, I suppose.) (Oh, and other people that are actually important to U.S./U.K. relations. Details, details.)

Even though this state visit has captured the largest headlines of all, the Obamas have hobnobbed with royalty quite frequently. Surprisingly frequently, I'd say, given the very few state visits they have participated in to date.

Of course, meetings with royalty from the Middle East have been frequent. Not only do monarchies there tend to have greater power than their European counterparts, the United States has great interests in the region.

King Abdullah of Jordan is an ally, and while he has spent time with the President, Queen Rania has spent time with Michelle Obama.

They've even met my beloved Sheikha Mozah of Qatar! (Though, dare I say it, not on her finest fashion day?)

The President met Japan's Emperor Akihitio and Empress Michiko, causing a snit in the U.S. over the depth of his bow in the process. Same thing happened when he met the King of Saudi Arabia.

(Not that everything he does doesn't cause a snit to start with. Such is the climate these days.)

The Nobel Peace Prize brought him to Norway for a meeting with the King Harald and the whole crew.

Quite an interesting shade on Mrs. O. in that top picture, no? What are we calling that? Puce? (My own personal rule of dressing is not to wear colors that are anywhere near puke in name or shade.)

Campaigning for Chicago for the 2016 Olympic Games took them to Denmark, to hang out with Margrethe and Henrik...

 ...and Mary and Frederik, and IOC members Prince Albert and Princess Anne (no face necessary there, the hair's all the identification we need). Alas, Michelle's attempt at subliminal messaging with her gold wardrobe was a failure.

The First Lady took a private vacation to Spain with one of her daughters (no, I don't know which one is which), during which she met Juan Carlos, Sofia, and Letizia.

And during which Letizia ended up out-smarting them all. (Not that most things wouldn't be considered extra smart when standing next to Sofia's muu muu-looking thing.)

A few royals have stopped to visit the Obamas during trips to the States, including Máxima and Willem-Alexander.

Queen Silvia dropped by the White House too, during one of her trips for her World Childhood Foundation.

And now we're back to Britain. The Queen and Prince Philip have met them before, as have Charles and Camilla. Michelle drew criticism from Oscar de la Renta by wearing a cardigan to Buckingham Palace (inappropriate! too casual!) - but he doesn't seem to approve of her mode of dressing at any time. (Though in this instance, I must agree. Much smarter during this visit.)

The Duke cracks me up in this picture - that stance, that facial expression. "Oh, here we go again, with the tall Americans." He's a treasure, I tell you.

Anyways, on to the state visit at hand. Can I tell you something? I found the whole thing rather snooze-worthy.

I mean, it's no wonder Kate got all the press. There's nothing else to talk about! The Queen: typical. (Clearly she had her funky moment for the year, and now she's done.) Camilla: same old thing we've seen a bazillion times.

Grand Duchess Vladimir's tiara with hanging pearls for the Queen along with Queen Victoria's coronation necklace at the state banquet, and emeralds for the return dinner. The only story here is that she wore the Teck corsage brooch for the first time in a really long time, and that she left off her family orders. Camilla's wearing the Boucheron tiara, same one she always wears. Anne's wearing the Meander tiara, her most frequent pick. And because it was a Buckingham Palace dinner, we don't get good photos of the other royal ladies in attendance: the Duchess of Gloucester, the Countess of Wessex (in her wedding tiara), Princess Michael of Kent (City of London fringe tiara), or Princess Alexandra. So, boo.

With the royals snoozing it up, it's on to the political ladies:

Click to enlarge, as always.

I don't always love what Michelle Obama wears, but I love that she's not afraid of color, and she's not stuck in that Stepford wife political mode.

The same things can apply to Samantha Cameron, I guess, but...

No. The second one is okay, but..no. I'm sorry, SamCam is supposed to be some kind of fashion icon, and I don't get it. Mostly I think she looks like she's trying to be edgy, but she doesn't seem to have the edgy persona to finish the job. She's yet to wow me.

What did you make of the latest state visit? And who wins the fashion stakes when it comes to meeting the Obamas?

Photos: Getty/Reuters/Daylife/Daily Mail

Gold Star: Queen Elizabeth in Ireland

As you most likely know, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh made a state visit to Ireland this past week. This visit was heralded as one of the most historic of the Queen's reign, and it certainly stood out. The Queen and the Duke were praised for everything from their peacemaking presence to their sheer stamina (how flattered they must be, so many people shocked they just don't keel over these days). We're here, of course, to praise the clothes.

The Queen is usually dressed by her own personal dresser, Angela Kelly. She must have great influence, this Angela; she's even got the Queen in nude shoes! Whatever she's saying, I'm glad the Queen is listening: from the vibrant emerald green on arrival to the 2,091 hand-sewn embroidered shamrocks adorning her evening gown, every outfit is flattering for this 85-year-old monarch, with just the right nod to the occasion.

And being the Queen, she's always sure to bring us some bling. No day is complete without a brooch:

Top row, left to right: one of Queen Victoria's bow brooches, a gold brooch with carved rubies, the Australian Wattle Brooch

Bottom row, left to right: Prince Albert's sapphire brooch (a wedding gift to Queen Victoria), the aquamarine clips, an interesting new brooch that was perhaps a gift from the President, the smaller of the Cambridge emerald brooches without the usual emerald drop

And the real sparkle, of course, comes at the state dinner:

Many, including myself, wondered if we'd see the Queen in her emeralds while on the Emerald Isle, but of course we overlooked the most obvious choice of all: the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, a wedding gift to Queen Mary (who gave it, in turn, as a wedding gift to the Queen), and the Queen's favorite. With this, she paired a diamond necklace that looks nearly identical to the King Khalid of Saudi Arabia necklace, but isn't the same (oh, to have a collection that large!). The brooch is in the shape of an Irish harp, and has been reported to be Swarovski crystals.

I must also give a tip of the non-royal hat to Ireland's President, Mary McAleese. She's been involved in several state visits lately, and I'm always impressed.

Mostly dressed by Deborah Veale here, she's neat and stylish without trying too hard. Gold stars all around!

What did you think of the Ireland visit?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife