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: 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, 16-22 October

Here's what Mary wore from 16-22 October:

1. Visiting the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and a school in Harlem on day 1 of the crown princely couple's visit to New York City, 20 October. Look familiar? (Malene Birger dress, this time paired with an Isabel Marant jacket.) Yeah, sometimes I get lazy and don't want to dig very far back in my closet either.
2. Opening an art exhibit alongside other Scandinavian royals, 20 October. This is a beautiful dress. Some felt she was overdressed, given that Queen Sonja and Queen Silvia wore more basic skirt suit sorts of things, but I thought it was a perfect young take on the occasion.
3. Visiting the 9/11 memorial site on day 2 of the visit, 21 October in a black coat over a Heartmade dress.
4. At the opening of the BIG architectural studios, 21 October. Same dress, with a different Heartmade jacket on top.

5. a) Attending the Scandinavian-American Foundation Centennial Ball, 21 October, in a gown from Ole Yde (b).
6. a) At the "New Nordic Cookout: A Taste of Denmark" event at Union Square Greenmarket on day 3 and then squeezing in some shopping in flats at Saks (b), 22 October. Should've stuck with the flats for the whole day, I'm thinking. Odd gray shoes there.

I'm going to dub this NYC trip (which will continue in next week's review post) the trip of Excellent Separates and Curious Pairings. I do not get, at all, the pairing of that bright and happy floral dress in 3 and 4 with either of those somber jackets or those gray and black Prada shoes. Most curious.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Billed-Bladet/Zimbio/Bauer Griffin/Daylife/Reuters/AP Photo

Royal Fashion Awards: The American-Scandinavian Foundation's Centennial Ball

America's just riddled with royals at the moment! Prince Harry's been making his way through southern California's selection of cocktail waitresses on his way to Arizona for military training, while Princess Beatrice acted as boyfriend Dave's plus one in New Mexico and Las Vegas. But the main royal gathering happened over the weekend in New York City as a whole slew of Scandinavian royals on separate visits to the U.S. collided to celebrate with the American-Scandinavian Foundation and give us something sartorial to talk about (the real purpose of their trips, I'm quite sure...).

Best...uh...Assets? I don't know.

Crown Princess Mary

I am in love with the idea of this: the interesting neckline, the sort of va-va-voom quality of this shimmery fabric, the usage on the whole of a shimmery fabric for a non-tiara event. But I am in, well, not hate, per se, but dislike with a single raised eyebrow at the execution. That's one clingy dress, m'lady! In some pictures it's perfectly lovely, but in others...whoa. Kudos for the after-babies bod and all, but I'm just not sure we needed to see all of that.

Best Bling

Queen Silvia

Who you gonna call when the dress code says no to tiaras? Queen Silvia! (She's like the Ghostbusters, only prettier.) There's a brooch in the hair and a tiara (her modern fringe tiara) around the neck. A+. Oh, and PURPLE! Yay.

Best in Typical

Princess Madeleine

She's got a taste for strapless dresses that just make you want to give them a wee tug north, doesn't she? That said: she does look awfully pretty here. I love the styling.

Worst in Typical

Queen Sonja

Oh, man. I do not get her taste sometimes. She looks like she's being strangled to death by lace and pearls. Which, I suppose, if you've got to go, that might be the way to bow out, but still. She did put a brooch in her hair too, to be fair, but it takes a lot more than that to make up for the gown.

Best in Scandinavian...wait, huh?

Princess Tatiana

Just me that wondered why Nikolaos and Tatiana of Greece took their globe trotting party machine to the American-Scandinavian bash until suddenly remembering that they are princes of Greece and Denmark? Fine, whatever. Smartypants. Anyway: it's always hard to see what she's wearing, on account of the posing (argh), but I'm sold enough on what I can spy here to give the evening's prize to her. Lovely red, little bit of interest, and easier to move in than some of these other gowns.

Who was your best-dressed for the night?

Photos: Zimbio/Daylife/Getty Images/CTK/Bekia

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 Mathilde, 25 September-1 October

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

1. Visiting a group of farms, 26 September.
2. At the 25th anniversary celebration of the Plattelandsklassen, 29 September. A very typical Mathilde week. (Which is one of the reasons that I'm on the fence as to whether I should keep covering her with "Week in Review" posts...lovely as she is, she doesn't give us much to talk about. I'm undecided.)

UPDATE: She also attended European Job Days Brussels on 1 October. Purple: yay! Fit: nay!

Photos: Life/Belga/Europa

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

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

1. a) Celebrating the 250th year anniversary of "The Arabian Journey" at Copenhagen's Concert Hall, 17 September, in a skirt (b) from H&M and a Prada bag and shoes. I'm just a sucker for a full skirt, I can't help it.

Photos: H&M

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: Crown Princess Victoria, 28 August - 3 September

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

1.  Naming a paddle steamer boat, 29 August, in a symphony of beige.
2. Attending the 2011 Polar Music Prize ceremony, 30 August. I find this...questionable. Questionable sheerness, questionable hair...just questionable.
3. Visiting Gothenburg, 31 August, with (a) and without (b) the coat. SHOOTIES. Yes, I am having a conniption, you called it right. What a cute, swingy take on the sack dress she's favoring on account of the bébé...ruined by a dubious pair of boots. Le sigh.
4. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Swedish National Union of Local Governments, 2 September. A cute little tropical antidote to those horrible winter shooties.

Photos: Svenskdam/ANP

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: 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

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

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

1. Visiting Circus Summarum with Isabella and Christian in a repeated Hugo Boss dress. Taken individually, I do not like a single one of these prints. And yet, you stick them all together, and I think you end up with a super cute little frock. What kind of sartorial magic is this?

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 26 June - 2 July

Here's what Máxima wore from 26 June - 2 July:

1. Attending a conference for Importante, a project for female ambition, 28 June. Being married to the Prince of Orange and all, I'm really quite surprised she didn't go for orange in this like Mathilde did. But I'm glad, too, because I think I like the blue better.
2. Arriving in Monaco, 1 July. Love. This. Perfect waist for Máx! I also think I saw some pics of her mucking about Monaco casually, but wouldn't you know, I can't find them now...alas.
3. Attending the concert/reception before the religious wedding, 1 July. Greek goddess, or bathing beauty...your choice.
4. At the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Monaco, 2 July. Classic Máxima.
5. At the evening ball, 2 July. Classic again - it's all about the jewels, and you know what that means: gratuitous bling time!

Aquamarines for the win - bonus Máxima expression included free of charge.


Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Dutch Photo Press/Hola/Svenskdam

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 3 - 9 July, Part 3

(Previously, on Kate n' Wills Take North America....) And now we've arrived at the end of the Canada trip, and the moment we've all been waiting for: the cowboy hats. Canadian Judgement Day, coming up:

1. Arrival in Calgary, 7 July, a) on Kate with the ubiquitous LK Bennett nude heels and LK Bennett clutch, b) from Jenny Packham, and c) and d) the problem with the thing.

Yellow! Girly! Sort of a wee Fifties flair with a dash of schoolgirl thrown in just for kicks! You know I love it. Sadly, though, I do think this highlights one of the reasons Kate should just get a dresser already. I mean, we know she's a DIY girl, but one can't help but think things might have turned out better if there'd been someone on wind forecast watch, standing by with a pencil skirt with an extra lead-weighted hem and a hair tie, just in case. For not only did Kate come perilously close to a Marilyn moment, she also was so busy taking care of her hair and her skirt that she and Wills did not put on the cowboy hats they were given at the famous White Hatting ceremony. A disappointment for the crowd, the photographers, and enough of a faux pas that their press secretary had to clarify that they weren't snubbing anyone. All was forgiven in the end, because Kate gave a 6-year-old girl with Stage 4 cancer and a dream of meeting a real princess a big hug (TEARS), and then this happened....

2. a) Reception at the Calgary Stampede, 7 July, in b) an Alice by Temperley top, jeans, and brown boots.

3. a) Opening the Stampede, 8 July, in Temperley London (b - the "Rodeo" top, natch) and jeans.

It's full-on Cambridge Cowboy Chic! Yeehaw, y'all! I watched the live stream of some of reception, and the whole thing was completely hilarious. I had no idea Canada had its very own Texas. Anyway, the kids do Western well, no? I think they win the prize for best rodeo royal appearance, wouldn't you say? Most especially Cowboy Wills, who looked right at home rocking the hands-on-hips stance. Let me know when Temperley starts opening mass boutiques in the south-central U.S., I'll buy some stock or something.

 4. a) and b) At the Calgary Zoo and departing Canada, 8 July, in Catherine Walker and sporting c) the Queen's Maple Leaf Brooch with her nude clutch and those nude LK Bennett shoes once again.

Red, finally! And the Queen's brooch worn the right way! Kate went out with a bang, didn't she? She looks fab in red, and this is princess perfect. I'm especially loving the wee flair at the bottom, and the sleeve length.

And with that, William and Catherine said goodbye to Canada. Next stop: Los Angeles! (Stay tuned for the one and only black tie event of the trip!)


Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/AP Photo/Alice Temperley/Jenny Packham

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 19-25 June

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

1. Opening the Social Performance Task Force conference, 21 June. At least we've had a year to recover since the last notorious double outing of this mustard-bowed wonder.
2. Attending the Love Concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, 22 June. Oh, Máx. You so crazy. Reader Lyrebirdgully sent this outfit in with a bit more info: this concert had a Spanish theme, and the guests were Dutch citizens with non-Dutch backgrounds. As good a place as any to fly her Argentine background flag, really. And yet...no. This is a costume. She might as well plop a bunch of fruit on her head and drop by for a set at the Copa on her way back to the palace.
3. Visiting the Museum Park Orientalis, 24 June. Just a little dose of sanity, to round out the week. Phew!
   

Photos: PPE/Getty Images/Daylife/Belga

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

Royal Fashion Awards: Luxembourg's National Day

Yesterday was National Day in Luxembourg! You know how I love it when the Lux royals come out to play. The family attends the Te Deum mass, and then the Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duke review troops and watch a parade with the Grand Duchess. And they get all dressed up and everything:

Best Pepto Bismol

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

THIS IS A LOT OF PINK. I like the shape on her. I certainly do like my Grand Duchess in a bit of color and a pillbox hat. And yet...THIS IS A LOT OF PINK. Also, I'm concerned that the thing on her shoulder might be trying to eat her alive.

Worst U.M.O.

Princess Tessy

What's a U.M.O., you ask? It's an Unidentified Millinery Object. I feel like if Dale Chihuly did hats, this is the hat that Dale Chihuly would do. Except that he'd do it in a rainbow, and I'd probably have to like it on principle if he did. But he didn't, so I'm out. (And so, probably, are the rest of you that have no clue what in Chihuly hell I'm on about.) I'll say this for it: girlfriend seems to be working it. And so is her husband...really, Louis? A matching tie?

Worst Raincoat
Princess Alexandra

Look how lovely Princess Alexandra is. Another Alexandra to add to my list of royals that I want to hang with. And that's why this coat pains me so. Standing still, it's passable, but in action (see her walk here)....no. Nooooo.

We usually get a picture or two of the gala (think: MT in a tiara), so I'll update when those pop up.

On the day before National Day, the family gets the party started by visiting various spots around the country: on Wednesday, the Grand Duke and Duchess visited the municipality of Niederanven, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and his sister Princess Alexandra visited Esch-sur-Alzette. Then the whole family comes out for a band performance and fireworks show in the evening.

Best in Day-Glo

Princess Alexandra

Once again, Alexandra has worn Natan, and once again, I am dubious. But this is fairly suited to her age (as far as Natan goes) so I'll buy in. If nothing else, it made her easy to spot in the crowd, right?

Best in Sparkle

Maria Teresa in the Evening

Here's MT in her (and my) beloved Elie Saab. And while I could quibble over fit and what have you, I won't. Because this is super elegant and classy. Also, it sparkles.

Best in Red

Maria Teresa in Niederanven and Tessy at the Concert/Fireworks

Looks like Maria Teresa has a red version of the purple dress we just saw in Norway! Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with Tessy here, either. Looks like she might have a little military flair going on in the jacket, which I love. (Also: Louis, if you're gonna match your tie to your wife, this is the way to go about it.)

Do you have any Luxembourg favorites?

Photos: PPE/v.d.Werf/Tageblatt

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2011, Day 4

You aren't getting tired of Ascot, are you? We still have a day left, you know. Seems to me the royals might be growing a little weary, though...let's see:

Best in Rain Gear

Princess Eugenie

This is how we handle the rain at Ascot. We don't bundle up like it's Christmas at Sandringham as Beatrice did yesterday; we just coordinate our outfit to our brolly and call it a day. Well played, Eugenie.

Worst Seasonal Confusion

Queen Elizabeth

This suit/hat combo is so odd to me. It's spring-ready buttercup yellow, but the accent colors are quite autumnal. All of which is to say: meh. I had to include Prince Philip in the picture just for some entertainment. He doesn't have to do a thing, and I still find him delightful.

Best Potential

Princess Haya

Hat: big, fab, check. Rest of it: damn you, rain.

Best Effort

Princess Michael of Kent

I requested that someone, anyone, bring it, and look: Marie-Christine wore a hat with a furry tail, bless her over-the-top heart. A+ for effort. Here's hoping the sun comes out tomorrow and more Windsors come out to play.

UPDATE: Found another Windsor!

Best in Youth

Lady Amelia Windsor

A new royal at Ascot, yay! Lady Amelia is the daughter of the Earl and Countess of St. Andrews, which makes her the granddaughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. And yes, I reckon if you are 15 years old and you are out at Ascot, this is precisely what you'd wear. Well done, Amelia.

Is anybody tickling your fashion fancy on day 4?

Photos: Tim Rooke/Rex Features/Isopix/Newspix/Belga/Getty Images/Daylife