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: Princess Charlene, 4-10 December

Here's what Charlene wore from 4-10 December:

1. Opening a Christmas market, 5 December. That's a great coat.
2. Visiting her first swimming pool, 7 December. This is not a great skirt, though it may make a great burlap sack.
3. At the Climate Action Networking Reception in South Africa, 7 December. This one just does nothing for her, I'm afraid. Points for killer shoes, anyway.
4. a) At the Polaris Project Presentation and b) meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 8 December. Much better! She always seems happiest when home in South Africa, and particularly with Archbishop Tutu, which is wonderful to see. And this powder blue dress is a great neckline for her.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Profimedia/Zimbio/GettyImages/Oryx

Royal Fashion Awards: The Nobel Prizes 2011, Part 1

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in the presence of the Norwegian royal family today, and over in Stockholm the rest of the Nobel Prizes were celebrated with royals from Sweden and Luxembourg present. They have their prizes; we have our awards for the sparkliest event we’ve had since this summer…

Worst in Christmas

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Well, Maria Teresa did what I hoped she'd do: got her Elie Saab on. But alas, this repeated gown could headline a seminar titled How Not to Wear a Sash 101. And her pairing with the Chaumet Emerald Tiara kicks off an unexpected theme for our ladies today: Christmas! 'Tis the season indeed. (Boy, she really must not travel with a hairdresser. I'm worried about this baby slipping off!)

Most Elegant

Queen Silvia

Another pre-wedding event repeat (from a different wedding, of course), Queen Silvia's altered Jacques Zehnder (I believe) gown is perfection. Unfortunately, she has done That Which I Wished She Would Not Do, and brought out The Pronger, a.k.a. the Nine Prong Tiara, a.k.a. Queen Sophia's Diamond Tiara. It has history, it has diamonds from here to the North Pole, it has sparkle...and it has antlers. I suppose every Christmas festival needs a tiny bit of reindeer love.

Best Sparkle Spirit

Crown Princess Victoria

YAY!!! I wanted Saab. She delivered Saab. (UPDATE: Nope, it is not by Elie Saab.) I wanted something new in the tiara department...and she almost delivered it, wearing the brooch, earrings, and hairpins from the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure. Sadly she paired it with the Six Button Tiara which I am no fan of, but I'll let it go because the rest is exactly what we haven't seen from her throughout this pregnancy. She abandoned her tent dresses for a bump-clinging gown, she abandoned her thrown-together look for a thoroughly coordinated blue party, and she even abandoned her love of comfort for the evening in a gown that has to be heavy and earrings so cumbersome they require the use of small over-ear wire hangers to distribute the weight. She and her sequined bump are the prize shiny ornament on our Nobel Christmas tree.

Biggest Missed Tiara Opportunity

Princess Christina

If the Six Button must be worn, Christina should be the one to do it. She just does it best. Instead, she stuck with her small pearl and diamond tiara (which she owns personally). Obviously she was elegant as always...if it ain't broke, don't fix it, I suppose. (By the way, lest I come across as too harsh on the button front, I'll say this: it was out-sparkling the Nine Prong Tiara on the broadcast by quite a bit.)

Most Consistent

Queen Sonja

Keeping up the Christmas theme, Sonja was sleek in red with a gift-wrapped bow at her waist and a ribbon sculpture on her head during the day, and elegant in snow white for the evening. (Note to Sonja: look, you don't need so much extra business happening. You're lovely. Keep it simple, just like this!)

Biggest Contrast

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Perfect as the quintessential Ice Princess in Valentino during the day (even with a little Goth misletoe wreath on her head...all the better to elicit smooches from Hunky Haakon, I suppose), it all went astray in the evening, in her second Valentino of the day. First of all, Marie-Chantal already did this look. Second of all, she's not a grandmother from the olden days. And third...and this might be the only time I will ever say this...she should have stolen her mother-in-law's dress.

And Just Because...

The Rest of the Men

Haakon can't be the only one getting some appreciation. That's just not fair; after all, he's not the only one that got all spruced up. Gentlemen, well played.

Who is your best-dressed for the day? Worst?

Nobel events continue on Sunday, so tune back in for Part 2!

Photos: Scanpix/Expressen/Svenskdam/Getty Images/Reuters Pictures/Daylife/Zimbio

Week in Review: Princess Letizia, 20-26 November

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

1. At the farewell ceremony before departing for an official visit to Chile, 21 November.
2. In Chile, day 1, 22 November. Hey, I'm just happy any time she goes with red.
3. Still on day 1, 22 November, in Felipe Varela. Now, see, this is the kind of thing that only Letizia could pull off. Lurve.
4. Official dinner, 22 November. This is a chic little outfit...but, urgh. Maybe sleeves are better. Not exactly flattering on the upper body.
5. Day 2, 23 November. Another cute little white number that's just childlike enough only she could handle it.
6. Still day 2, 23 November, and the much worn navy suit has returned.
7. Day 3, 24 November, prepped and ready for a Chilean safari...or something.

Photos: Terra/Daylife/Getty Images

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 Mette-Marit, 20-26 November

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

1. a-c) Opening the Seamen's Church in Miami, 20 November. Those of you that found the first outfit from her Miami trip a little too saucy for church will be happy to know that that was just a dinner and a visit beforehand, and on the day of the actual church opening she was perfectly demure and lovely. I especially like her brooch-to-outfit matching skills here.
2. At a Coldplay concert, 23 November.

Source: Aftenposten/Vg

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

Gold Star: Marie in Japan

With Victoria skating along in her maternity style and leaving us with "What a glow she has!" as our only source of praise, it's time to shed a little light on another member of the royal baby boom that's having a better sartorial time of it.

Princess Marie hasn't been hitting it out of the park at every appearance (come on, nobody does - that's unrealistic), but she's made some particularly lovely choices during her visit to Japan with Prince Joachim.

For a meeting with Empress Michiko, this black dress and white coat combo is simple but alarmingly chic. All thanks to the collar, I think.

Adding a jacket over a tighter fitting dress is a perfect way to remind people that you still have a shape under there (Victoria, take note) while still keeping it classy.

Oh, and this one is my favorite. Enough for a gold star all on its own. Bright color, perfect fit, flattering as can be. Gold star: awarded for not letting us forget that you've still got it, even with a baby on board.


Photos: Profimedia/Billed-Bladet

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: Princess Letizia, 2-8 October

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

1. Visiting Cordoba, 6 October. Alas, not even the purple shirt can save this from look from a dreaded case of OMTWS (Old Man Trouser Waist Syndrome).
2. Launching a new ship, 7 October. Oh, this is much better. MUCH better. Perfect, in fact: it's dressy (but not too dressy for hanging out with a bunch of polo shirt-wearing folks, as she was doing), and the colors are crisp and perfect for a day on the waterfront. A+.

Photos: Hoymujer/Terra

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: The Duchess of Cambridge, 18-24 September

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

1. Attending a friend's wedding, 24 September, in Collette Dinnigan lace and Prada heels. Is it odd that the thing that excites me the most here is that she wore her diamond earrings and diamond bracelet? (Answer: Yes. But you aren't surprised.) Anyway, I love the dress - it's a COLOR! Huzzah. Not sure it's a hatty sort of dress, if you know what I mean (or maybe I just don't like those kind of hats), but it's a color, so I'll shut up. She also sported some major heels. All the better to see the bride over the crowd, I guess.

UPDATE: She was also spotted at the hair salon on 23 September.

Photos: Daily Mail/Ikon Pictures/Daily Mail/Tanna/Stewart/Sunday Express/XposurePhotos/USWeekly

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 11-17 September

Here's what Victoria wore from 11-17 September:

1. Attending a boat detachment as part of the Sustainable Seas seminar, 12 September. So this is basically just the navy version of the black one she has.
2. At the International Paralympic Committee meeting in the Netherlands, 13 September. And this is basically the maroon version of all the rest of the dresses she's worn so far in the pregnancy.
3. Attending the opening of the Swedish Parliament, 15 September. But THIS is how you do it, see. This is how we do the sorta-maternity wear.
4. At the Opera House, continuing the Parliament celebrations, 15 September. And this is NOT. No, no. I know some of you have given Vic here a free pass on account of how adorably happy she is, but this is a shower curtain and a tent and a muumuu, and she's too cute to be dressed like that. Also, I find the necklace a bit dubious.

Strange. Queen Silvia was thoroughly typical for the whole Parliament extravaganza, which leaves Madeleine to be my star.

She's so hit and miss, but when she gets it right, I think her take on the trendy young princess look is the best one around. (And in case you're wondering: black and white is the dress code for the Parliament opening, they didn't just all wake up feeling boring.)


Photos: lehtikuva,fi/Bekia/Expressen/Stella Pictures/Belga

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 4-10 September

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

1. At football practice with Christian at some earlier date.
2. Attending the inauguration of a new monument in Copenhagen, 5 September. This is all terribly Victorian, but I think as long as you accessorize with a uniformed personal umbrella holder, you're good.
3. Opening a new high school program, 7 September. Mmmm...meh.

 The whole family turned up for the rainy monument event:

Marie looks lovely in her purple coat and beret, but I think any event where Margrethe busts out her rain gear yet leaves the yellow flowered wonder at home is a missed opportunity.

Photos: ekstrabladet/bt.dk/stiften.dk

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 Máxima, 28 August - 3 September

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

 

1. Opening the Orange House domestic violence shelter, 30 August. Oh, I love this. The navy coat dress is flattering, and I do adore a pop of yellow. So much better than when she goes full-on Big Bird!
2. Visiting the headquarters of ING, 1 September. Don't really understand the need for giant white floral earmuffs to go along with this perfectly serviceable business suit, but...you know. Whatever you say, Máx.

 Photos: Zimbio/Getty Images

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 Mette-Marit, 14-20 August

Here's what Mette-Marit wore from 14-20 August:

1 - 3. Various outfits from interviews and photos for the couple's 10th anniversary.
4. Prince Sverre Magnus' first day of school, 18 August. What's funny is the difference between Mette-Marit's outfit for the occasion, and Queen Sonja's - she came along to see her grandson off to school:

The Crown Princess went with a regular mum on the school run look, while the Queen stuck with...well, very possibly the same thing she wore when she took her kids to school. Oh, white tights and scarf bow ties.

Photos: Budstikka

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 21-27 August

Here's what Mette-Marit wore from 21-27 August:

1. Attending a memorial service for the victims of the Norwegian attacks, 21 August.


2. a) Beginning a visit to Hedmark, 22 August. Later (b) she slipped on a Montcler jacket and held a PUPPY, OMG.


3. Second day in Hedmark, 23 August, hanging out with goats and stuff...you know, as you do.


4. Celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary at Oslo Cathedral, 25 August, appropriately in white.


5. At their anniversary dinner, 25 August, in the same belt we've seen on Charlotte Casiraghi. I kind of love that dress. Probably not on anyone else, though, just on her.

A few others at the cathedral:

Ari Behn being...well, himself; Princess Märtha Louise in a perfectly passable suit and the WORST SHOES EVER; and Princess Rosario in what must be Valentino, because it looks awfully familiar! (Princess Victoria was there as well, that'll be in her review post.)

Group shot of the dinner too:

What would we do without Sonja and Astrid to entertain us? That's one golden tablecloth, there.


Photos: Svenskdam/Scanpix