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!
