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.

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.

The Honeymoon of Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II)

Today, we continue our look at royal honeymoon fashions with Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II).

Date:  November 1947
Place:  England and Malta
Event:  Honeymoon of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip

As one looks farther back to royal fashions, the less is known about specific designers.  That is the case with Princess Elizabeth's honeymoon fashions.  Nonetheless, they're worth looking at--her fashion sense has remained timeless over the past six decades!

Here, the Prince and Princess set out for Waterloo Station from whence they traveled to Broadlands for the first leg of their honeymoon.

Once at Broadlands, the couple were photographed walking and enjoying the grounds.

In 2007, for their 60th wedding anniversary, the Queen and Prince had a second honeymoon returning to the Broadlands (and also Malta; see below) as pictured here.  Notice that she's wearing the same jewelry and Philip's suit is very similar.  Perhaps we can guess that her 1947 suit was blue, as well.

Following their time at Broadlands in 1947, the royal couple traveled to Balmoral in Scotland just as her parents had twenty-four years previously.  Sadly for us, there are no public photos of the couple at Balmoral in 1947.

Philip was on active duty as an officer in the navy.  So, as his honeymoon ended, he returned to service.  He was posted to Malta and Elizabeth followed him there.  Before she became Queen in 1952, she spent much of her time in Malta and it is considered the last leg of their honeymoon.

Save for some changes in button and pocket styles, these clothes could well be worn in the twenty-first century.  While the Queen has rarely taken fashion risks, she is still undeniably a solidly fashionable woman!

Stay tuned to Fashionably Royal for more royal honeymoon fashions in the days to come!