ARK Gala and the First Royal Garden Party of 2011

In an effort to get caught up a little more quickly, we're combining some events.

Date:  June 2011
Place: Perks Field, London; and Buckingham Palace
Event:  ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) Gala; and Royal Garden Party

First up, what I believe is considered the first official appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at a gala dinner for the ARK charity.

Kate wore a "pearlescent rose sequin gown with Swarovski crystals" designed by Jenny Packham.  She accessorized with a matching clutch by Prada, four inch heels ("Agata") by L. K. Bennett, and earrings that we've seen a few times--"Effervescence Bubble Stiletto" earrings by Links of London.

We really dig this dress.  Kate looks fabulous in it.  As another commentator pointed out, she wore the dress--the dress did not wear her.  Hurrah!  (We're fans of Jenny Packham.  More of that please!)

Next up, we've got the first royal garden party of the summer!

Her Majesty wore a lavender coat and hat with coordinating floral dress.  We love the color palette.  The Countess of Wessex wore a cobalt blue dress, white belted coat, and the same fascinator that she wore a few days earlier to Royal Ascot.  We tracked the fascinator down as being from Jane Taylor.  Oh, and let's not forget that patriotic flag clutch and . . . are those nude L. K. Bennett Sledge platform pumps, much beloved by the Duchess of Cambridge?  We don't want to be alarmist, but we might just have a copy-Kate on our hands.

We're just including this photo because we like artsy shadow pictures.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal!  Stay tuned.  We'll be looking back at William and Kate's North American tour soon and lots, lots more.

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.

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.