Wimbledon 2011

Tennis is a major passion of mine.  So, I enjoy this post more than is strictly necessary.  Game, set, match!

Date:  June-July 2011
Place:  Southwest London
Event:  The Championships, Wimbledon

First up, Camilla in what seems from a distance to be a cute and appropriate ensemble.

But look a little closer and it gets weird.  Her dress is jutting out through holes in the jacket.  This is not an attractive look on anyone.  On top of that, her jacket does not fit at all well.  Those buttons look like they're about to wave a white flag.  And, can we just take this opportunity to beg the Duchess of Cornwall to get a good bra?  To be frank, the Queen has perkier looking bosoms and she's 85.  Camilla's clothes would fit so much better if she could be bothered.

Next comes Princess Beatrice (and her boyfriend Dave Clark again, yay!).  We've not yet identified the makers of her dress, but we think it's adorable--especially on someone her age. 

One little quibble--the pockets on the jacket help keep the large lapel balanced and when her arms are at her side, the pockets are hidden throwing the jacket balance off.  Looks good clapping, here.

You can see the flamingo pattern on the dress here and better see the trim on the jacket.

THEN!  A few days later, Bea came back for more.  (If I were a royal I would be glued in that box every day!)  This time she wore a white jacket and black and white patterned dress.

The jacket looks just a bit too baggy and we lose sight of her trim figure.  The Issa dress was a bit blah, but not terrible.

Finally, we have the Duchess of Cambridge.  I'm a bit conflicted about this one.  I want to like the effort she put into looking tennis-appropriate, but it comes off just a bit too literal.  In the end, though, she looks pretty and seemed to be having fun.  So we'll let her slide.

The tiered, white dress is a Temperley London creation (the 'Moriah') and is slightly higher end than Kate usually wears and can be bought online here.

There's been a lot of chatter about Kate's bracelet, too, supposed to be a gift from Camilla.  I'm more skeptical, though.  It's said that Camilla's cypher is on one side and Catherine's cypher is on the other side (seen here).  However, I've not been able to find a photo of any other cypher on the bracelet than this one--the cypher of the Duchess of Cambridge. 

Well, that's all of the royal spotting to be done at this year's Wimbledon.  Now, if only some of them would turn up in New York for the US Open in September.  Stay tuned--lots more to come.  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.

Breaking News: Camilla's Hat Was Recycled

We recently brought you coverage of the fashion of the royal wedding party including information about the Duchess of Cornwall's Anna Valentine outfit and Philip Treacy hat.  Now we can also tell you that Camilla's hat for the big day was not new!

Date:  June 2009
Place:  Ascot, England
Event:  Royal Ascot Horse Races

Seen here in 2009 wearing an outfit by Vivienne Westwood, the Duchess of Cornwall also wore that familiar-looking Philip Treacy topper.

She was picked to hand out a trophy, so she was sure to be photographed.  Funny how no one seems to have noticed yet that her hat was reused.  She even seems to have worn the same jewelry!  Well, good on her for saving a bit of money.  It went perfectly with her outfit on Kate and William's big day.

Tune into Fashionably Royal next time when we explore more Ascot fashions with a look back at 1981.  See you then!