Trooping the Colour 2011 (with bonus coverage)

What is ostensibly a military parade has become an all-out royal affair.  Trooping the Colour marks the monarch's official birthday in June each year (opposed to the Queen's actual birthday, in April).  So, we get to see some royals in their military get-ups and others in the latest (or not-so-latest) fashions.

Date:  11 June 2011
Place:  London, England
Event:  Trooping the Colour

The Princess Royal is wearing the outfit of a colonel in the Blues and Royals (in which her nephew Harry serves), an honorary role for Anne.

Here, the Countess of Wessex is wearing an unidentified outfit that commentators have noted is just a bit too low-cut for such an occasion (but then again, the Countess doesn't mind showing off her assets, does she?)  At one point on the balcony, her bra was in plain view.  But at least she wears underclothes.  In any event, her hat is a repeat from Ascot 2006.  She was criticized at the time for the gigantic cabbage rose plastered on it.  One wonders why she has failed to prune it back in the intervening years.

Oh, and for the first time in my memory, Prince Edward got to wear a military uniform to the Trooping.  Here he is seen wearing the uniform of Colonel in the London Scottish regiment--also an honorary role for him.  We'll get to Eugenie in a bit.

Prince Harry is wearing the outfit of a Captain in the Blues and Royals, a position in which he actively serves.  His uncle Prince Andrew looks a bit plain in what looks to be a morning suit and top hat.  (His waistcoat has nearly disappeared!)

Royal watchers usually enjoy the balcony appearance during Trooping the Colour as it is when the extended family (including some far-flung cousins) is most likely to make a public appearance.

This is only about one-third of the folks on the balcony!  Look how happy the Queen looks.

Now back to Eugenie....

What . . . what is that thing on her head?  To me, this is worse than what her sister Beatrice wore to Kate and Will's wedding.  This wouldn't fetch anything for charity if sold on eBay.  The bow alone should be a prosecutable offense.

Also, whatever she has on from the neck down is doing her no favors.  She's a curvier girl than her sister and thus needs more structure in her clothing to keep her from looking dumpy (which, actually, she isn't).  The smocking on her belly adds a stone of weight that she hasn't got.  Why, Eugenie, why?  Silver lining:  we can happily distract ourselves with how adorable Lady Louise is!

Next up, Camilla and Catherine--the two Cs are chumming it up a lot.  I wonder if they decided they should both wear cream.  It's sort of Camilla's signature color and she doesn't look half-bad in it.  Here, she's recycled the Philip Treacy hat she wore to her civil marriage ceremony in 2005.  It's an absolute stunner (even if we think it's a bit odd to re-use one's wedding apparel).  Also, her outfit looks similar (but still different) to the cream outfit she wore at Buckingham Palace when the Obamas visited last month.  Same designer perhaps?

The Duchess of Cambridge is also wearing a Philip Treacy topper, except hers is black (guess they forgot to coordinate that bit).  Her coat is by Alexander McQueen.  This whole white-coat-thing is starting to get to me.  The royal family may be a bit barmy, but there's no need to run about in straightjackets all the time! 

Also, this is quite a structural jacket that really loses something when the wearer is seated and covered by a tartan blanket.  Here's what it looks like:

Then, of course, there is Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh.  Word has it that the Queen's ensemble is a repeat, but from when and where exactly we've not quite figured out.  Philip is wearing the uniform of a colonel in the Grenadier Guards, another honorary position.  Considering he's just turned 90, he's still pretty spry!

Later that day, Kate joined her sister Pippa at the wedding of friend Sam Waley-Cohen to Annabel Ballin.  Beatrice even showed up, though she was absent from the Trooping.  Kate's hat stayed put, but changed into a black print dress by Zara that she was first seen wearing in May 2007 at a nightclub with Pippa (during that famous, and temporary, break-up with William).  Or maybe she had this dress underneath the coat.  She carried a black silk purse by Anya Hindmarch, which she also carried when meeting the Obamas at Buckingham Palace this spring.

Pippa was seen wearing a poorly fitting coat in a most pungent color--it didn't seem to go with anything else she was wearing.  Not to mention the wrinkles!

Finally, Beatrice wore a cute blue lace dress and stylish high heels.  Unfortunately the fussiness of the jacket takes away from the whole look.  The mismatched hat doesn't help, either.  We are always glad to see Beatrice with her best accessory--long-time beau Dave Clark.

Stay tuned as we continue to catch up on June--our favorite month of the year!  Lots to cover in July as well.  Not to mention, blasts from the past.  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal!

Epsom Derby 2011

The Royals do love their horses!  And fashion . . . .

Date:  4 June 2011
Place:  Epsom, England
Event:  Epsom Derby

First up, the ever blossoming Princess Beatrice.  She took the blossoming bit rather literally with this floral ensemble and fascinator with white leaves and ivory rose.

The fascinator is interesting and beautiful in its own right, but the unflattering hues and potato-sack nature of the dress clash with it.  Meanwhile, her sister Princess Eugenie wore a white cap-sleeve dress with black polka dots and a matching wide-brimmed white and black straw hat.  The structure of the hat is stunning on her, but the dress is a bit plain.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who is purportedly undergoing intense physical training sessions to slim down (though she's thin already, we would like to point out!), chose a champagne colored Bruce Oldfield concoction.  Sophie seems to be less than amused by Philip's humor.

The hat she chose is one of those hats that looks better from certain angles that from others--this angle being less than stellar.  (I could not locate a suitable photo from the other side, but you can see a hint of the feathers and flowers on the underside in the above photo.)

Her Majesty popped in a bright, crayon pink outfit and hat, which she wore before to Ascot in 2009.  Looks like Liz is pulling a Kate.  The hat is by milliner Rachel Trevor-Morgan.

We here love the geometric pattern of the dress fabric and the fact that Prince Philip almost seems to have coordinated his look with his wife's.

Should I?  Or shouldn't I?  Okay, I'll do it.  "We are not amused."  Sorry.

Finally, we have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--Will and Kate.  William's suit looks ever so slightly like he may have borrowed it from his father-in-law's wardrobe.

Catherine continued her affordable chic trend by wearing a Reiss "Peacock" dress (£195), a JOSEPH "Nessie" tweed jacket, L. K. Bennett "Sledge" leather court shoes in light taupe (£175--she's been getting a lot of mileage out of these shoes), L. K. Bennett "Natalie" handclutch (£140--she's been seen with this several times), a pale brown straw beret by Whiteley, and Kiki Mcdonough citrine drop earrings (£495).

The Reiss dress is, sadly, hidden by the slightly straight-jacket-esque look that Kate had going on.  Here is what it looks like underneath.

Another small quibble we have, though it is indeed minor, is Kate's poor posture.  She naturally looks amazing in practically anything, but she would indeed take it to 11 if she stood up straight with less rounded shoulders.  Don't be shy, girlfriend!

So, that was it for the Epsom Derby this year!  Stay tuned for lots lots more.  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.

The Queen's Visit to Ireland

Before we dive in, let me offer massive apologies for going missing for a month (and thus delaying this post).  There were 2.5 major illnesses in my family (0.5 being a family friend) that needed urgent tending to.  So, now hopefully every one is happy and healthy.  Let's get the show back on the road by covering Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to the Republic of Ireland.

Date:  17-20 May 2011
Place:  Ireland
Event:  UK State Visit to Ireland

Queen Elizabeth's outfits made a splash on her state visit to Ireland just over a month ago.  She was heavily praised for her sensitive wardrobe choices that signaled the extension of an olive branch in relations between the two nations.  Elizabeth certainly has a keen sense of fashion as a political statement, but credit in this case should very much be shared with Angela Kelly.  Kelly is the Queen's long-time assistant and clothier--she designed her radiant yellow outfit for William and Kate's wedding and is of Irish ancestry.  Applause to both Her Majesty and Ms. Kelly for coordinating this savvy wardrobe!

Upon arriving in Ireland, Her Majesty wore this jade green outfit by Stewart Parvin.

The matching hat was made by Rachel Trevor-Morgan (a favorite milliner of the Queen's).

She added Queen Victoria's bow brooch to accent her attire.

Later in the day, to visit the Garden of Remembrance, Elizabeth switched into a metallic pearl bouclé ensemble, edged with soft olive green flowers.

She accented this outfit with a ruby brooch for a splash of color.

The next day, the Queen and Prince Philip visited the Guinness Storehouse (where he was seen gazing longingly at a pint).

Then, she visited the Government Buildings in Merrion Street.

She wore an aqua-colored ensemble.

Then, she visited the National War Memorial Gardens where she laid a wreath.

Later in the day (after a quick-change), she arrived at Croke Park sports stadium along with Irish President Mary McAleese.  While yellow suits Her Majesty (and the floral dress and matching color motif on the hat are stylish), this double-breasted coat dress purportedly by Karl Ludwig does her no favors.

Finally, that day, the Queen was the guest of honor at a state dinner where she wowed the crowd with her speech (beginning in Irish).  Unfortunately, in her traditional white gown, the Queen looked less than stellar.  The gown was shapeless and the "fuzzy" shamrocks of the bodice added unnecessary bulk.

Astutely, she wore the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara to the affair to accompany the 2,091 shamrocks on her gown.

On her third day in Ireland, Queen Elizabeth managed to make the trip not just business but also pleasure by visiting the National Stud Farm--horses being a passion of the Queen's.

She looked radiant in a cornflower blue dress and coat with a stylish matching hat.  (Get a load of that massive sapphire!)

Later that day, she attended a British Embassy party at the National Convention Centre.

Again, Elizabeth went for a green themed-outfit--this time in brocade.

On her fourth and final day in Ireland, Her Majesty and Prince Philip visited the Rock of Cashel (again in green) . . . where apparently they were holding a silly faces contest.

Philip won.

She continued on to Cork where she visited an English market.  (I could be wrong, but I think they have those in England, too.)  I'm tempted to run a caption-this-photo contest.

This was the last stop on the Queen's tour before heading home, though she broke with the itinerary and went on an unscheduled walkabout in Cork.

All in all, it looks like Queen Elizabeth enjoyed her time in Ireland and that she accomplished her mission.  She seemed to mend a number of bridges in her actions, her words, and especially her clothing choices.

Stay tuned for more from Fashionably Royal.  There's been a frenzy of summer fashions that we'll be getting to soon!  Thanks for reading.

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.