Liz, Phil, Barry, and Michelle

Well, I promised you Her Majesty's trip to Ireland and that you will get.  But because it will be at least a two parter, I've decided to save it for next week as not to break it up over the weekend.  So, to send you off to the weekend (Happy Memorial Day, if you're American), I'm give you one last look at the Obamas with the Royals.  Cheers.

Date:  May 2011
Place:  London
Event:  American State Visit

For their farewell dinner, the Queen stuck with her traditional white gowns with a snazzy pair of metallic shoes and purse.  (Looks like some of her accessories from the Ireland trip--tune in next week!)

Michelle Obama wore a gorgeous black Ralph Lauren gown that somehow managed to top the white, halter Tom Ford gown worn the night before.

Mrs. Obama paired her beautiful gown with some really wacky, crystal costume jewelry made by Tom Binns.  The necklace and bracelet are, according to the designer's website, part of the Dumont collection.  You can see it here.

Well, that's it for this week.  See you next week for some Irish fashions!  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.

The Obamas' Visit to Buckingham Palace, 2011

I'm certainly a fan of First Lady Michelle Obama's style, so it is with great pleasure I bring to you coverage of the President and Mrs. Obama's recent visit to Buckingham Palace.

Date:  May 2011
Place:  Buckingham Palace, London
Event:  American State Visit

First, let's start off with the newlyweds as they meet the Obamas.

The two men wore nicely tailored suits, but the real story was the women's style choices.  Michelle Obama wore a pale blue, floral jacquard dress designed by Barbara Tfank, a Los Angeles-based designer.  The dress was paired with a pink, three-quarter length sleeve bolero jacket and silver, pointed toe, high-heel shoes.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a khaki colored bandage dress by Reiss called the "Shola" dress.  Word is, it sold out quickly through their website.  I don't doubt it--the dress looked great on her.  Also, if I'm not mistaken, the black heels she wore have been in her wardrobe for some time.

Actually, it's a good thing the First Lady didn't sit on that sofa.  It would have clashed with her dress.

Mrs. Obama looks enthralled by Camilla's anecdote.  I'm not crazy about the Duchess of Cornwall's choice of outfit here.  The extra-feathery hat looks too formal and the jacket accentuates all the wrong things.  (Also, didn't she wear those shoes the day before to the Chelsea Flower Show?)

Princes Charles looks a bit stodgy in one of his standard grey, double-breasted, pinstripe suits.  I would dearly love to see what a top stylist would do for him.

President Obama with Prince Philip, looking even more spry than usual, inspect the Scots Guards.

Her Majesty wore a floral number by Peter Enrione.  The four of them looked quite put together.

It's believed that the Queen has a fondness for the Obamas, but I'm not entirely convinced.

Here, the Queen has completed her outfit by wearing the matching pale blue coat and hat.  Mrs. Obama struggled with the wind to keep her skirt where it should be.  (The Queen usually has small weights sewn in her hems to avoid such a situation.)  All three of the ladies (Camilla being behind President Obama) had to fight the wind.

Mrs. Obama really wowed the crowd gathered for the formal state dinner at Buckingham Palace in a white halter-neck Tom Ford gown.  Again, the four together really looked sharp.  (One wonders if the Queen and Mrs. Obama coordinated their white gowns, though Her Majesty often wears white to state dinners.)

Coming in a close second in the style stakes was the Duchess of Cornwall, who wore a just-off-the-shoulder gown (designer unknown) in a stunning shade of blue.  Not to mention, the tiara she chose to wear really suited her as well as her gown.  (Click to enlarge the photo.)

That's all for now!  Come back soon for a look back at the Queen's recent state visit to Ireland.  Lots to talk about there!  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.

Chelsea Flower Show 2011

It's that time of year!  Flowers are in bloom and the royals are, too.  So to speak.

Date:  May 2011
Place:  London
Event:  Chelsea Flower Show

At this year's Chelsea Flower Show, Princess Beatrice was the belle of the ball.

She wore a figure-hugging dress by Roland Mouret.

She paired it with a pair of nude, platform pumps and a structured black jacket (designers unknown).

She looked great from all angles!

Even when goofing around with her father, the Duke of York.

Here is Beatrice with her aunt, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.  The Countess wore a black outfit that looked far more appropriate for a funeral.

Queen Elizabeth caused a bit of a stir in these quarters for wearing . . . a black hair net.

It simply did not compliment her outfit and looked quite out of place.

Her design team, led by Angela Kelly, would have made the monarch look less like a lunch-lady had they coordinated the hairnet with the frock rather than the handbag and shoes.

And finally, we have a few other royal guests at the flower show:

Prince Albert of Monaco looking smart in a well-cut suit.

Prince Philip looking like his usual self in a trench coat.

Prince Edward, Sophie's husband, looking a bit plain in a slightly baggy suit.

Princess Michael of Kent (looking a bit kooky) and . . .

Her husband, Prince Michael of Kent (first cousin of Queen Elizabeth).

And finally, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, looking not-too-shabby.

Though a different shade of shoes and handbag would have made the suit even better!

That's all for now.  Come back tomorrow.  We have a lot to go over, including the state visit to Ireland and the Obamas visit to Buckingham Palace!  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.

Princess Diana's 1986 Visit to Austria

For a few days in April, 1986, Her Royal Highness charmed the Austrian crowds.  Have a look at what she wore.

Date:  April 1986
Place:  Vienna, Austria
Event:  Prince and Princess of Wales Official Tour of Italy

Upon arriving in Vienna (on the Concorde, no less), Diana was photographed wearing this red-striped outfit and matching hat, designers unknown.  (Again, I suspect Frederick Fox as having designed the hat because of the brim-style.  For the suit, I have two suspects:  Catherine Walker and Bruce Oldfield.)

Later, the Prince and Princess visited the Burgtheater for a performance.  For the evening, Diana wore a glittering sequined gown, designer unknown.  In this photo, the dress looks decidedly blue.  However, in video of the event (scroll to the bottom of this post), the dress looks undoubtedly green!  (It's definitely the same dress; you can see Charles' broken finger in the left corner of the photo.)  She wore it again in 1993 and here it looks turquoise.  You decide.

The next day, Diana was seen walking about Vienna with Charles wearing this cute, pink Victor Edelstein suit and Frederick Fox hat.

The couple were trying to drum up support for British Week in Vienna.

For instance, here, she was inspecting British cars as part of the week-long event.

Later on, she was regaled by the Vienna Boys Choir.  For the event, she wore this white and black suit (designer unknown).

Then, she attended a performance of the London Philharmonia Orchestra (at the Vienna Philharmonic's music hall) and wore a navy blue velvet Victor Edelstein gown.

This navy blue velvet gown is the one she famously wore to the White House state dinner in 1985 at which she danced with John Travolta.

Finally, as she left Austria (again on the Concorde), Diana wore a blue dress (designer unknown).  Must have been a comfortable outfit to turn around in her seat as such.

And, as a bonus, here's a photo (no joke) of Diana's passport and Concorde ticket.

Arrival:

Day two:

Day three:

That's all for today.  Check back for more of royal fashions throughout the years!  Thanks for reading.

Easter 1987

Actually, the royals didn't look too bad considering it was 1987!  Decide for yourself.

Date:  19 April 1987
Place:  St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Event:  Royal Family Easter Service

First up, Princess Diana wearing a pastel blue Catherine Walker spring coat.  Prince William, seen here holding hands with his first cousin Peter Phillips, is wearing a matching coat that Diana had specially made.  In fact, Harry had one too (not pictured).

There the trio go, joined by Prince Charles on the right.  Not sure who made Diana's hat, but it looks like it could be a Frederick Fox creation (based on the brim-style).

Next up, we have Princess Anne wearing a baggy navy blue and yellow plaid suit and yellow pillbox hat with veil (worn at a jaunty angle), designers unknown.

Anne, seen here walking with her son Peter, is the famously thrifty royal and wore this outfit to at least two other Easter services at Windsor in later years.  Even us regular folks don't wear the same thing for Easter year after year.

Finally, we have one more glimpse of Anne (on the right) as well as her youngest brother, Prince Edward (on the left) and her first cousin Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones (now Chatto, in the middle).  Sarah is an attractive woman, daughter of the stylish Princess Margaret, but those baggy, boxy clothes did her no favors!

Well now, aren't you glad the 1980s are behind us?  I know I am.  Stay tuned to Fashionably Royal for more flashbacks and current news on what the royals wear!  Thanks for reading.

Royal Ascot 1981

The year was 1981.  The fashions were frightening, we must say.  But we can't get enough of them!

Date:  June 1981
Place:  Ascot, England
Event:  Royal Ascot Horse Races

With just a month before her wedding, Lady Diana was a sensation at the week-long event.  Thus, most of the photos that made their way to Internet archives are of her!  But, we did manage to get one of the Queen and Queen mother.

Here is Lady Diana wearing a distinctly peppermint-esque red and white outfit by Bellville Sassoon.

She was also seen wearing this rather unfortunate ruffly peach concoction (designer unknown).

I believe that is the Queen Mother whose blue sleeve and hat make an appearance in the right of this photo.

From the shoulders up, this purple striped outfit and purple hat (designers unknown) suited Diana.

But, seen at full-length it was yet another ill-fitting 80s monstrosity.

Finally, this grey gingham dress (designer unknown) was a bit more promising for the soon-to-be princess, but the hat took away from the overall look.  A wider-brimmed hat would have made it more stylish.

Notice the crowd's reaction to Diana!  (And only the second photo with Charles.  She didn't get to spend much time with him, it would seem.)

Last but not least, we have their majesties the Queen and Queen Mother.  The Queen wore a tangerine outfit (designer unknown) while the Queen Mother did indeed wear a light blue creation (designer unknown) with heavily netted hat.  (Though I think this outfit is different from the one mentioned above.  Very similar though!)

That's all for now!  I can't wait for this year's Ascot, just one month away.  Until next time, thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.