Week in Review: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 4-10 December

Here's what Mette-Marit wore from 4-10 December:

1. Attending the Save the Children party for the Nobel Peace Prize and then receiving the Peace Prize recipients at the palace, 10 December. Oh man, I love that coat. She also wore it when arriving at the ceremony.
2. a) At the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony, 10 December, in a b) Valentino dress. She added length to the dress, we'll all be happy to note.
3. a) Arriving for the Nobel Banquet, 10 December, in a c) Valentino dress that was, yes, (b) a little bit see-through. Any time we fail to take into account the things that flash photography will do is a fail indeed, I'm sorry to say. Now, as I said, the look had already been done, by Marie-Chantal at Princess Máxima's 40th birthday concert:

And so we must put it to a vote: who wore it best?

UPDATE: The poll is now closed, and Mette-Marit wins it with 63% of your 515 votes!

Photos: Daylife/Style.com/Reuters/Mimote

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 20-26 November

Here's what Mary wore from 20-26 November:

1. Day 1 of the couple's trip to Australia, 20 November, beginning with (a) flats and a hat to open the Sculpture By The Sea exhibition and then (b) ditching the hat and switching to heels for more events. Prefer the hat version, myself.
2. Meeting the Governor-General, 20 November. Simple but lovely dress, the perfect background for what we're all really looking at: the twins!
3. Day 2, 21 November. Ah, yes! Much better without some strange winter jacket on top.

4. a) Dinner on day 2, 21 November, in (b) a repeated dress from Diane von Furstenberg. Look familiar? It's the short version of the dress Carole Middleton wore to the evening bash after William and Catherine's wedding.
5. Day 3, 22 November, in an outfit that morphed as the day went on. She took a repeated dress (which many of you will be happy to see again, its last appearance was much loved) and topped it with a hat (a) and then wore it without the hat (b) and then added a ruffled front cardi (c - while checking out a portrait of herself, which must be a surreal experience) and also wore it with both cardigan and hat. And that's what we call coming prepared for all eventualities!

6. Day 4, 23 November. I usually just go for whatever picture shows the outfit fully, but I couldn't resist the ridiculous chicness of this pose in that Egg chair. I like the outfit, too, but the chair...sorry, I'm an interior designer. Can't help myself.
7. Dinner, day 4, 23 November, repeating another dress from when she was pregnant with the twins - early on, during Nikolaos and Tatiana's wedding festivities.
8. Day 5, 24 November. Love the more casual shirt with the slim fit white skirt.
9.  Dinner, day 5, 24 November. Oh, no. Not a fan of the random patchwork business.
10. Day 6, 25 November. Hmm...a lovely pop of color and print, or way too much of a 1970s flashback?

11. a) Reception on day 6, 25 November, wearing b) a new Georg Jensen necklace. (Here's the full fantastic red dress.) This whole trip was a showcase of jewelry from all Mary's regulars: Marianne Dulong, Ole Lynggaard, and of course Georg Jensen. Several items were new, too, which makes one wonder if she's sitting on a stash of unimagined size, or if she's found other ways to work out loans for herself.
12. a) Day 7, 26 November, repeating outfit #2 but adding a brooch (b). Strange positioning there, no?
13. Gala dinner to finish out the official portion of the trip, 26 November. I do believe this is a reworked version of the dress she wore to Victoria and Daniel's wedding - the strange lace on the top has been removed, and the shoulder drape has been added. I did not like it then at all, and now I am in love. Perfect!

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Reuters/Zimbio/Georg Jensen

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: The Duchess of Cambridge, 13-19 November

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

1. Remembrance Sunday, 13 November, which we discussed last week.
2. a) Out shopping, in b) a skirt from Mulberry, working the "schoolgirl gone beatnik" look.

She also paid a private visit to an art therapy charity at a school in London - she's been making these secret visits as she decides which charities she'll use her royal weight to support - wearing a sweater and jeans, which apparently disappointed the kids who felt she "didn't look like a princess". (I hear ya, kids. I'd demand a tiara, myself.) Sounds like a basic miscommunication to me - she must have thought she was just going to slip in and out relatively unnoticed, while the school lined all the kids up like it was a legit royal visit. A simple mistake, and yet something tells me that's the last we'll hear of her trying the dressed down approach!

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Xposurephotos.com/Popsugar

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

Flashback Friday: National Day, the Princess Grace Way

It's time for National Day in Monaco, and for the first time in 30 years there will be a Princess of Monaco by the sovereign's side. Charlene made her first official appearance at National Day while engaged last year, and she certainly made a splash. It seems appropriate now to take a look back at what Charlene's predecessor, that epitome of elegance Princess Grace, brought to the occasion and what Charlene might be able to bring back. Because trust me here, friends, the sartorial side of National Day has changed in the years that Princesses Caroline and Stephanie have been in charge.

1950s

Obviously any return to the ladylike days of yore is always welcome; in that respect, Charlene did quite well last year. Maybe we could live without the return of the snowball hat, though.

1960s

What I'd really like to see a return of is color. In the past couple of years, Caroline and Stephanie have stuck with black and gray - a mourning palette. So much so that people docked Charlene last year for the exuberance of her beige outfit...and you know something's wrong when beige and exuberance end up in the same sentence. But color isn't foreign to National Day if you look at years past, not even when it comes to Caroline and Stephanie themselves. So let's have it!


1970s and 1980s

Maybe not have it in the form of electric blue feathers smushed atop the head...though that would be entertaining. Yes, it definitely takes the panache of Grace to pull that one off (ditto for anything in the realm where "striped" and "fur" cross paths).


Gala appearances at the Opera

You already know which Grace trend I most want Charlene to bring back, don't you? Tiaras for the evening gala! Grace made it the fanciest night of the year in Monaco every year (here using mostly her Small Diamond Tiara, though the one with the blue wrap is one of her unknown tiaras), while Caroline has gradually taken the formality down a notch, never wearing a tiara and even in the past couple years going without her Order of St. Charles sash.

But while we wait to see if Charlene will do it her own way or do it her sister-in-law's way, at least we have Grace. I may hope that Charlene will bring back a bit of Grace's sense of occasion - that's a movie star for you, always knowing how to make things memorable  - but there's a lot here she couldn't, shouldn't even, bring back. There's only one Grace, after all. My hope? Charlene will do it her own way...just so long as that way happens to include a tiara.

Do you have a favorite Grace moment from National Day?

and

What do you hope Charlene will bring to the occasion?

Photos: The Royal Forums/Corbis/Rue des Archives/Scanpix/Hola/Getty Images

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: Crown Princess Mary, 6-12 November

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

1. a) Naming a ship in b) a Diane von Furstenberg coat, 7 November. While others are busy wondering if she's taking style inspiration from that other royal brunette, I'm busy wondering if she was tempted to change up her pre-planned wardrobe at the last minute precisely to avoid those comparisons. (I kid, by the way. It's a red coat with black accents...not exactly groundbreaking stuff requiring an inspiration!) Anyway, this is a great coat. Maybe I like it more than Kate's even.
2. Opening an exhibition, 9 November, in a fantastic repeated suit.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 6-12 November

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

1. a) Attending a dinner for the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal, 10 November, in a custom version of this (b) Jenny Packham gown and (c) a pair of earrings which have been identified as silver with "crystal paste stones" by Beaut Jewellery who supplied this design to Jenny Packham. I won't lie and say I wasn't disappointed to learn she didn't have a new set of diamonds in her jewel box, but they sparkled on video nevertheless, and they're a great Deco-esque design. As for the toga dress, I think it's great but I wish she'd done her hair up (it was only sort of half up on the one side) because I think there's too much going on with the flutter sleeve and the asymmetrical neckline plus all the hair. In other words: an utterly typical assessment from one who is permanently on Team Updo.
2. a) At a meeting for the Prince's Charities Forum, 11 November, in a b) blazer from Zara. Basic wool blazer with an interesting detail: I like it. Can't really make out what she had on underneath, though.

Outside our regular time frame, but no doubt this is fresh on everyone's minds:

1. At the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph with fellow royal family members (top row includes the Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex and Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence; bottom row is Princess Alexandra of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester), 13 November, wearing a Diane von Furstenberg coat and Jane Corbett hat. Not a huge fan of the forward tilt on Kate's hat or of Sophie's choice to repeat the flamboyant gray hat she wore to Monaco's royal wedding for this particular event; however, it doesn't matter. That's just not what this event is about. 

Members of the royal family that lay wreaths at the Cenotaph. (Front: the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Second: the Duke of York and the Princess Royal. Third: the Duke of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales. Fourth: the Duke of Kent and the Earl of Wessex.)

Photos: Paul Rogers/Daily Mail/Just Jared/British Monarchy Flickr/Zara/Getty Images/Daylife

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

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

1. Continuing the visit to the Dutch Caribbean in Bonaire, 31 October. Favorite outfit of the trip.

2. In Curacao, 1 November. Another visor hat!
3. Another Curacao outfit, 1 November. The return of the first visor hat! Woe is the top of her head, in the Caribbean sun. I do think the suit itself has potential, though. Get some non-Natan heels and a chignon up in there and we'd be in business.
4. Evening outfit, 1 November. I can't be objective when so many pics show this one needing another inch or two at the hem. As is, she's going to have to clasp her hands in front and swing that skirt like the bell it is to win my affections.
5. Second day in Curacao, 2 November.
6. Evening outfit, 2 November.

7. Moving on to St. Maarten, 3 November. Yeah, I would have been fine if we could have had just this red hat only, and not this red dress at all.
8. Another St. Maarten outfit, 3 November. Jewelry aside, this is another favorite look: simple but bright and cheery!
9. Evening outfit, 3 November. It's...a toga?
10. Visiting St. Eustatius, 4 November.
11. Visiting Saba, 5 November. Probably shouldn't like the repeated painting dress...but I do! Go figure.

Accessory and hair glimpses:

A bit dicey, this trip. Apart from her tiara appearances, Máxima is always at her best when she's on these pre-planned excursions - as opposed to her daily grind - but I'm still feeling a little let down. I shall seek consolation in the sapphires.

Photos: PPE/Nieboer/Dutch Photo Press

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 30 October-5 November

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

1. a) Visiting the UNICEF aid center in Copenhagen with William and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark, wearing an LK Bennett coat (b) cinched with a Reiss belt, along with Stuart Weitzman boots, her gold leaf earrings, her gold charm bracelet, and a most unfortunate construction hat (c, feel free to play "caption this"). Great coat, this one, and a very elegant appearance. 

Photos: Reuters/Daily Mail/LK Bennett

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 30 October-5 November

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

1. Unveiling the 2011 Christmas Seal, 31 October. I think the gray legs are where this one goes off the rails.
2. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Danish Special Forces, 1 November. Very mysterious, like she might have some spying to do later. Love it!
3. a) Accompanying the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the UNICEF Aid Dept in Copenhagen, 2 November, with Frederik in what certainly looks like a blue velvet suit (b)...okay. As for Mary, this looks like the outfit she had on in the office that day and just tossed on a coat to dash out for a second. Does that make her the epitome of the "dress not to overshadow the cause" rule? 
4. Visiting the Home Guard Guarding Division in Kosovo, 3 November. Oh, I do love a lady in uniform.
5. Attending Jarl Friis-Mikkelsen's 60th birthday party, 5 November.

Photos: PPE/Colourpress/RPP/Purepeople/Abaca/Reuters/Daily Mail/Billed Bladet/MSN Starlounge

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 23-29 October

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

1. Opening an exhibition at Dutch Design Week, 24 October.
2. a) Two events on 25 October with an accessory swap (b and c) in between, starting with creepy spider brooches and ending with a gorgeous pair of earrings. This isn't the first time she's done this dress with gray tights and brown shoes. It baffles me.
3. Attending the "Development of Business" conference, 26 October. I told you I love capes and I won't be swayed, even if this is a bow-tie mess.
4. Arriving in Aruba for a 10 day official visit to the Dutch Caribbean with Queen Beatrix and Prince Willem-Alexander, 27 October. Mustard! Now there's a statement color.
5. a) Official arrival ceremony on day 1, 28 October.  Okay. Let's talk about this. At first glance, my reaction was: "FABULOUS!" She looked so glam. And then I sussed out what was really happening with the hat (b). And then I thought: "Is she making a pit stop poolside in Boca Raton later?" So...there you go. At least I still think her shoes are fabulous, even if I do fear for her toe circulation.

6. a) Visiting a music festival on day 1, 28 October in a hat fit for Mango from Saturday Night Live (b).
7. a) Official welcome reception, day 1, 28 October, repeating a dress worn at Nikolaos and Tatiana's pre-wedding reception. At least there's a brooch (b)!
8. a) Visiting a national park and a residence on day 2, 29 October, with hat (b) and some serious earrings (c). Oh, you don't pull out your bling for a trip to the national park? How sad for you.
9. a and b) At a women's shelter on day 2, 29 October. And this is exactly why our Máxima is particularly well suited for a Caribbean tour. Well, that and this too:

Right at home, no?

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Purepeople/Abaca/24ora.com/DutchPhotoPress/PPE/Nieboer

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 2-8 October

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

1. a and b) Inaugurating a new project for the Mary Foundation at a kindergarten, 3 October. For a kindergarten visit? Sure, why not.
2. Attending the opening of Parliament, 4 October. Upon reflection, I like this more than I initially did. But it's far from a slam dunk. By the way - what would be your idea of a perfect outfit with that divine coat? I love the coat itself, but I'm not sure I've loved it any of the ways she's worn it so far.

Photos: PPE/Purepeople/Abaca

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 2-8 October

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

1. Opening the new trading floor of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, 3 October. The poof on the skirt sort of looks like it was desperate to escape the straight jacket above.
2. a) Opening the Brazil Festival in Amsterdam, 3 October, b) in blindingly shiny Halson Heritage. Basically, since her sister-in-law has a lock on the saggy torpedo boob category, Máx here decided to shore up the "locked and loaded" torpedo boob category. I think I'm going to get Princess M. a mirror for Christmas this year, you guys want to chip in?
3. Attending the MBO Gala, 4 October.
4. Opening the TERI research institute, 5 October.

5. Opening the new council of state's offices, 5 October. Now this is lovely, I'm liking all the different textures, and the A+ reuse of last year's Prinsjesdag hat.
6. In Rome to open a Mondrian exhibit, 6 October. Another day, another reused Prinsjesdag hat...I suppose if you're going to wear your Indiana Jones hat anywhere, it might as well be to a museum. But I can't help but think a Mondrian exhibition would have been the place for #3 up there.
7. Opening the Exodus House, 7 October, a) with and b) without wrap.
8. At the 40th anniversary celebration of the Introdans company, 7 October. Oh yes, I do love this repeated Alessandra Rich gown. It could be very Morticia on anyone else, but with that personality and that giant jewelry, it's just chic. (I am of course ignoring the hair, as I usually attempt to do.)

She's such a worker bee, our Máxima. She deserves some praise, so just in case you can't find anything worth loving above, feast your eyes on the ring from #5 (worn with matching earrings, natch):

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/PPE/van Katwijk/Nieboer

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

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

1. Meeting with the Arctic Council working group, 27 September.
2. a) Attending the opening of the General Synod, 27 September. The Crown Princess seems to have been hit in the head with a giant flying penguin. The Crown Princess would prefer you not mention it (b). I do hope there were no casualties.
3. Opening a children's culture center, 28 September. I suppose if you're going to go the tent dress route, you might as well get one with a big ol' arrow pointing towards the culprit of your tentish ways.
4. At a charity dinner, 28 September. Well, hello there baby bump! Nice to finally meet you properly.
5. Visiting a cancer center in Stockholm, 30 September. In the context, I can't help but think this looks like a hospital gown.

Photos: Kungahuset/Purepeople/Abaca/Svenskdam/Finest.se/Lehtikuva

Royal Fashion Awards: Denmark's Parliament Opening, 2011

'Tis the season for parliament openings and pictures of royals desperately trying not to yawn their way through them. Today it was Denmark's turn. It's not a fashion show...until we make it so. Let's go:

Worst Repeat

Queen Margrethe

Alas! Barbie's race car has ridden again. Oh, Marge. Only you.

Best in Class

Princess Benedikte

So simple there's almost nothing to talk about. Sometimes that's all it takes to win the day!

 Most Puzzling Sartorial Math

Crown Princess Mary

Hat: good, little bit of a 40s flair. Coat: good, nice strong color. Dress: black, can't really go wrong there. Three strong components, and yet the whole ends up less than the sum of its parts. It's almost too casual...or something.

Best Anti-Sleeping Photo Device

Princess Marie

If Inspector Gadget were a gangsta...he might employ this method of preventing a photographer from snapping a pic at just the second he chose to rest his eyes during a boring political speech. Marie, on the other hand, just looks like she grabbed from her incognito chapeau closet rather than her princess closet.

Who stood out at today's parliament opening for you?

Photos: PPE/ddp/Kongsted/Purepeople/Abaca/Hanne Juul/Billed-Bladet

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 18-24 September

Here's what Máxima wore from 18-24 September:

1. Attending the baptism of Princess Margarita's daughter Paola, 18 September (Margarita is Willem-Alexander's cousin).
2. a) Prinsjesdag, 20 September, with b) a close up on the beadwork.
3. Receiving a book of poetry and attending the premiere of a musical, 21 September.
4. Opening the World Music Contest, 22 September. A sparkly delight repeated from the Qatar state visit.
5. In Washington, D.C. attending the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings, 23 September. Well, I suppose if anyone can pull off the double animal print, it's Máx...

You really can't see what she wore for outfit 1 but it doesn't matter because Holland's next top models were in the house:

Werk!

Photos: Profimedia/Dutch Photo Press/PPE/Nieboer/Getty Images/Daylife