Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 18-24 December

Here's what Catherine wore from 18-24 December:

1. Arriving for the annual big fat royal Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, 19 December. Anybody up for a round of Caption This? Here's my entry: "I'm in a car, the windows are blurred with rain, you can't see past my shoulders...are you seriously going to try and analyze my outfit? Seriously?"
2. a) At The Sun Military Awards, 19 December, in a b) a custom Alexander McQueen. Delish, still.
3. a) Visiting Centrepoint, 21 December, in b) a Ralph Lauren sweater dress. Would've stuck with the brown accessories myself, but I think black is her default. But what's the point of getting all dressed up when you're just going to be out-dorked by your hubs anyway?

While the world awaits a lil' Cambridge announcement, Prince William perfects his embarrassing dad dance moves.

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Net-a-porter/Ralph Lauren

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 27 November - 3 December

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

1. a) Attending a reception for the press with other members of the royal family to launch the Queen's diamond jubilee year, 28 November, in b) a dress from Mulberry in a "Peace and Love" print which she paired with black pumps. Hmmmm. I think, since we can't really see the dress on Kate, I'm trying to form an opinion here half based on the styling of the Mulberry models...and I do not like it. It seems to look okay on Kate, I guess, but no. Green silk with peace sign prints all over it? And a $2,200 pricetag? I guess I just don't get it. 

Photos: Zimbio/Getty Images/Elle

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: Crown Princess Mary, 13-19 November

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

1. Opening a new campaign for The Mary Foundation, 14 November. Gah! I love this jacket! And the Day Birger et Mikkelsen blouse underneath is a really interesting but lovely pairing.
2. Opening a youth conference, 16 November. We've seen this Prada number before - from last year's Parliament opening, when she was pregnant with the twins! It's an unusual color combination, but I love it, and the blue shoes are a perfect touch.
3. Arriving in Australia for a combo private and official visit, 19 November. Speaking of the twins, Princess Josephine here doesn't look too impressed with her first glimpse of Australia, but I'm sure she'll warm to it. The Australian trip is where we will pick up next week.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca

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: 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 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: 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: 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: Princess Charlene, 2-8 October

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

1. Attending the Akris fashion show, 2 October. I do like the makeup here, it's helping give her a little more color.
2. Meeting with the President of Croatia, 4 October. My guess is that this is the missing dress from Charlene's wedding ensembles, meant for the brunch the day after and described by the Palace as a "strapless cocktail dress by Giorgio Armani Privé in silk satin duchesse in bright green color" with a "pleat detail on the bodice and skirt," and she's had a little cardi made to cover it up. Whoever designed it, I'm all in: it's a color! Yay!

Oh, and on that Akris show...you can see the whole collection here, but I have to say I'm not impressed. I found it very hard to imagine any of those looks on Charlene. What do you think?

Photos: Lehtikuva/Zimbio

Week in Review: Princess Letizia, 25 September-1 October

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

1. Opening the Basque Culinary Center, 26 September. Elegant. Crisp clean white is ages better than a gray or beige suit!
2. Opening a seminar on language and journalism, 28 September. Little jumbled, but that orange bag is adding a needed pop.
3. Attending an awards presentation for the Spanish Foundation Against Cancer, 30 September. Lovely, and I think someone got a haircut.
4. Opening "VIIth National Congress Scientist - Relatives MPS Spain", 1 October. The cardi makes this quite casual, but she's doing so much color experimentation - for the whole week, really - that I'm a happy camper. Delightful.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Hoymujer

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

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 4-10 September

Here's what Mathilde wore from 4-10 September:

1. Accompanying Princess Elisabeth as she opened the Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital, 7 September. Princess Elisabeth was the star of the show; accompanied by her proud parents, she gave a little speech and was generally adorable.
2. Attending the opening of the Volunteer Village at the European Parliament, 8 September. Dashes of orange: lovely. Pretending that you actually are an orange: not so much.
3. Visiting a microcredit project, 9 September. This one's cute, though.
4. At the opera, celebrating Poland's EU presidency, 9 September, wearing a green dress we've seen before.

Photos: Svenskdam/APA PictureDesk/Belga

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 28 August - 3 September

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

1. First day of school for the Belgian crew, 1 September. Cute little family, no?
2. Meeting with people from Casa Hogar at the Palace of Laeken, 2 September. Lovely shape for her, but I'm not going to lie: from far away, it looked like there might be some sort of spaceship print happening on there. Like perhaps she stole her son's sheets and had a dress made. It's leaves or something, really, but once you get a picture in your mind...game over.

Photos: Dutch Photo Press/Svenskdam

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 28 August - 3 September

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

1. Attending the WWF Panda Ball in Geneva, 3 September. Must resist the urge to make a Kermit joke...no, I kid. I like this, I love her in an actual color. Well played.

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

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

1. Finishing her visit to Africa, 28 August.
2. Attending the Index Award Ceremony, 1 September. Oh, I just love when she wears that cape/cardi/shrug thingamajig. Pretty pretty.

UPDATE: Mary, Frederik, and Queen Margrethe all attended a wedding on 3 September, and I love her dress.

Photos: sn.dk/Ekstrabladet/Hanne Juul/Billed Bladet

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: 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: Crown Princess Mary, 14-20 August

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

1. At the Dragon Cup Sailing Competition, 14 August.


2. Attending the 60th birthday party of Ove Ullerup, Lord Chamberlain to Queen Margrethe, 17 August. Meh?


3. Opening the 2011 Garden Living Fair, 19 August. This doesn't go together - uh, at all, kind of - but that freakishly vibrant green makes me giggle (in a good way). Gotta love an impromptu rain solution with a sense of humor, right?


4. At a friend's wedding, 20 August. Despite having once declared evening wear a paisley-free zone, I adore this. It's cute! (And purple-ish!)

Photos: Ole Bjørk/Billed-Bladet/APA PictureDesk/Svenskdam/tvsyd.dk/vejleamtsfolkeblad.dk

Week in Review: Princess Letizia, 31 July - 6 August

Here's what Letizia wore from 31 July - 6 August:

1. Attending the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre Sailing Cup in Palma de Mallorca, 2 August. That is one short dress, friends! She's had at least one infamous upskirt moment in the past...so I suppose she knows best about threats to her modesty and such...but, you know.


2. At a concert, 2 August. At first glance, I thought she'd opted for wearing scarves on her shirt print instead of actual scarves. You know, for a summer switch-up. But I think it's actually jellyfish or something like that. Anyway, I like her fancy magenta trousers.


3. Shopping in Palma de Mallorca, 4 August.


4. Attending a dinner for the 30th anniversary of the Copa del Rey, 4 August. Here again, I got it wrong on first viewing: totally looked like a long shirt over a short skirt. But once I cleared my eyes and saw that it was a dress, I decided that I'm on board.


5. At the royal family's traditional summer dinner at Almudaina Palace, 5 August. I am on the record as a staunch jumpsuit/romper-hater, and this certainly isn't going to change my mind. Here's my rule: if it looks like it came from the Juicy Couture summer collection, leave it out of the official realm.


6. Dining with the whole family, 6 August.


7. At the Palma Nautic Club, 6 August. A perfect outfit for visiting one's husband on the sailboat. (Also the perfect outfit for making me jealous of those can wear all white and not get dirty 5 seconds after putting it on, but that's a whole different issue.)

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Purepeople/Abaca