Queen Margrethe's 70th birthday celebrations in 2010 gave us one of the most fun royal photo ops in recent years, when Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary rounded up the other "heir couples" (as they were at the time) in attendance and went for a jolly little stroll across the cobblestones on their way to the last big event of the multi-day party, a private dinner for Queen Margrethe at Fredensborg Palace (you can see video of this here).
Photos: via Getty Images as indicated
L to R: Princess Máxima and the Prince of Orange, the Crown Princess and Crown Prince of Norway, the Crown Princess of Sweden and Daniel Westling, the Crown Princess and Crown Prince of Denmark
This dinner had a black tie n' tiaras dress code, which I always love because 1) tiaras and 2) gowns that don't have to hold up to an array of orders and whatnot are often a lot more interesting. And sure enough, these ladies were up to the task in gowns that were the perfect thing for a tiara opportunity without all the extra clutter (...well, for the most part).Mary wore a one shoulder teal Kenth Fredin dress with flattering draping across the body. This was one of her first "proper princess" gowns, a repeat worn to the couple's engagement dinner in 2003, and it's always been a hit. She paired it this time with the Midnight Tiara, earrings, and brooch, and this gown is the best match that set has met yet (in my un-humble and slightly rhyming opinion).
Mette-Marit's Nina Skarra dress was a fresh take on all the things she loves: a fresh petal-like take on her beloved ruffle skirts, and a fresh take on her pastel repertoire with a bright pink belt on that icy blue background. She revamped this gown last year, changing the bodice and adding sleeves and removing the belt, making it more useful as a gala gown to support her sashes and such but making me miss the original take. She wore her standard Diamond Daisy Tiara with this. (Moment of silence for an all-time great tiara hair moment. Amen.)
Máxima wore this spectacular Carolina Herrera blue floral one shoulder gown, which would have been too much in most gala situations, but was just right with a sprinkling of sapphires and the Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara. I've been hoping she'd become a big Herrera customer ever since, but I'm still waiting.
And finally, Victoria, my least favorite of the lot in prison break BCBG Max Azria stripes. She did not wear a tiara, sticking a family heirloom brooch in her hair instead. The sportiness of this dress makes it a hard match to any sort of delicate jewelry, and I can only think the Diamond Bandeau might have done the trick. Anyway, this appearance was so fun, even a tiara lover like me can get over that real quick. I don't have my hopes up too high for a repeat of this little jaunt anytime soon, but if we got one, I'd give it all the jumpy claps.
Photos: via Getty Images as indicated
