Yesterday was the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, a day which is also honored as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day was marked with a service at Auschwitz in Poland and in events around the world, and royals from many countries joined in the commemorations. This is not the lighter stuff that we usually (and purposefully) stick to around here; this is really nothing to do with the sartorial side of things. But sometimes it's important just to take a moment and remember.
Among the royal contingent paying their respects in Poland were the King and Queen of the Netherlands and the King and Queen of the Belgians. Willem-Alexander wore a kippah (yarmulke), which was a touching gesture.
The Crown Princes of Denmark and Norway were also in attendance, as was the Crown Princess of Sweden and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.
Many others not shown here also participated in various events at home, including the King and Queen of Sweden, Prince Daniel, and the King of Spain. The attendance of this particular set of people is not the point of these events, of course, but I can't help but find it lovely to see so many in our frame of reference united, from whatever location, to commemorate and to remember this important moment in history.
If you would like to watch the entire ceremony from Auschwitz, you may do so below.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia gave out the National Research Awards last week
I've always liked this Felipe Varela suit, with its delicate scalloped detailing, and red is definitely Letizia's color. Both she and Felipe were wearing bracelets from ARHOE, an organization that promotes more rational working hours and a better balance between work and life in Spain. The group was included in one of the couple's recent palace audiences, and they've apparently won some royal support. A yellow bracelet with a red suit is certainly an effective way to draw attention.
Let's catch up with Queen Mathilde, shall we? She and King Philippe have had a couple engagements in the new year so far. There was this, a meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk, to start:
This was a New Year's reception for the Diplomatic Corps, which might have been a court dress occasion in certain other countries (Britain and the Netherlands even have gala receptions for diplomats, at other times of the year). Not in Belgium though, they don't play that game.
But this whole voluminous, uh, situation makes me wish they did. Court dress or gala, either way. Because this looks like Mathilde started growing out what would have been a cape or train capable of such epic proportion it could even teach Máxima a thing or two...and instead just gave up half way and called it good.
Photos: Laurie Dieffembacq/AFP via Getty Images, @MonarchieBe, @RTLPlaceRoyale
Queen Elizabeth II's annual Christmas broadcast is pretty well known around the world, but many of her sovereign colleagues have a similar speech to offer this time of the year. I've thrown several of them together in today's tidbits, because they're quite interesting in comparison. Just a snippet tells you something about that monarch, I think, from their levels of expression down to their choices of teleprompters and editing vs. none of that fancy business. Also included below are other greetings for the new year and random news bits, so read on...
--King Philippe does a version of his message for the season in each of Belgium's three official languages, and this year he started off with a tribute to the late Queen Fabiola. Here's an article with some highlights in English and a video. [Deredactie]
Deredactie video
The Belgian royal family also published some new family photos for the holiday:
--Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas message was covered at the Jewel Vault along with the jewels she wore to deliver it. Also covered over there in the past week was my annual round up of her year in jewels, where we recall what was new (a ton!) and count up what was worn most often (did you know that QEII wore close to 70 brooches this year? True story). [Jewel Vault]
--Grand Duke Henri was one of many to make note of this year of commemoration in his Christmas speech. Here's video and English text. [Wort]
Wort video
--Prince Albert II highlighted the birth of the new twins in his New Year message, video below and English translation here. [YouTube, Royal Correspondent]
--King Harald V gets points from me for a New Year's Eve speech delivered in a tux, though reading note cards while standing does give me some unpleasant flashbacks to high school speech class. You can view the speech here, or read excerpts in English here. [Kongehuset YouTube, The Norway Post]
Kongehuset video
--King Carl XVI Gustaf is bit of a hand talker, compared to his colleagues, isn't he? Formulate your own deep thoughts on the matter by viewing his Christmas message or reading it (in Swedish) here. [Kungahuset]
--King Felipe VI's first Christmas message as king was a bit more political than most, dealing with some of the big issues on his plate right now (corruption, Catalonian separation). Made for an interesting contrast, the informal family photos displayed beside him and a serious message, I thought. You can see it here or read an article in English here. [CasarealTV YouTube, BBC]
...and the tidbits this week are jam-packed with holiday treats guaranteed to give you a warm fuzzy feeling. Cute kids! Uniforms! Miniature horses! Scandinavian interiors! We've got something for everyone:
--The Swedish royal court announced that Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill are expecting their second baby, due in Summer 2015. Congrats! [Kungahuset]
--And it's also not Christmas until we get an adorable little video greeting from Haga Palace and Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, and Princess Estelle: Cuteness and another look at Haga's interiors, which I find to be the perfect mix of palace chic and modern comfort.[Kungahuset YouTube]
--They also released a few new Estelle pictures. She's wearing a Ralph Lauren dress and Livly shoes, I know you needed to know that. [Svenskdam]
Kate Gabor/kungahuset.se
--And in even moreEstelle news, she joined her mom to accept the Christmas trees for their home this week. [Kungahuset]
--I know how much some of you love King Felipe with his beard, and apparently so does the Spanish court - they've provided an early holiday present in the form of new official pics in uniform. (The portraits with Letizia and in a suit are older.) [Patrimonio Nacional]
--The Swedish royal family (they've had a busy week, man) were out in force for the Swedish Academy's formal gathering, another one of those white tie/no tiara events. I am intrigued by Victoria's jacket/skirt combo. [Expressen]
The Swedish Royal Family attending the Annual meeting of the Swedish Academy in Stockholm tonight. pic.twitter.com/M7cK1EV04h — Scandinavian Royals. (@crownprincely) December 20, 2014
--The Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra teamed up for a reception for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Have to love an Alexandra sighting. [Clarence House Twitter]
--Here's a short clip of an interview withQueen Margrethe, card-carrying member of the Mutual Admiration Society for Queens Regnant (which I just made up but should be an actual thing), talking about the summer she met Princess Beatrix and her love for her old friend. (Starts at 3:48.) [NPO]
It was wonderful to begin our visit to Belgium by having dinner with TRH King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. #GGBelpic.twitter.com/646KzGNQcq — David Johnston (@GGDavidJohnston) October 28, 2014
Mathilde's luscious velvet number, worn to a dinner for the visiting Governor-General of Canada, is easily one of the most agreed upon dresses we've featured here and an easy pick for my favorite Mathilde outfit all year long. So much a favorite, actually, I'm having trouble even remembering anything else.
Her sublime white proclamation ensemble was instantly memorable and historical and all that jazz, but in the end, this Carolina Herrera gown with a perfect tiara pairing worn to the first state banquet of Felipe's reign easily surpassed it in my book (and maybe only in my book; opinions were pretty well split on this initial outing). If my patience ran low with the multitude of other lace ensembles we've seen in the past weeks, it's because my heart already belonged to this one. This was the year that Letizia got to know Carolina Herrera's designs, and I'm hoping for more of that (and less drawstring casual pants - easily my vote for her worst of the year) in 2015.
I'm in it for the tiaras, I think my stance on that is pretty clear. So it wouldn't be a Year in Review without a look at the tiara appearances we covered here and at the Jewel Vault in 2014 (and minus the ones that I forgot, because you know that's inevitable). You can click the links below or scroll through the posts on this blog by clicking here.
It won't surprise you to learn that I am officially crowning Máxima the Tiara Queen of 2014, with not only a large number of tiara events but also a large variety of tiaras worn for those events. Elsewhere, we saw a couple new pieces debuted, and a couple debuts of old pieces on new people. But perhaps the most important thing we saw in 2014 was the return of full state banquets (and thus tiaras) in Spain and Belgium, both countries having taken a few years off in the midst of economy and government problems. Grand returns ended up being the theme of my favorite tiara moments for the year.
And we must not forget, April also brought us what seemed like a genuine Tiara Miracle: Charlene finally wore her Ocean Tiara. For a magazine shoot, but we'll take what we can get.
May
May brought several tiara appearances: a look at the Diplomatic Corps reception in the Netherlands, new formal pictures marking Frederik and Mary's 10th wedding anniversary (again with the rubies), a state visit from Israel to Norway, and a state visit from Luxembourg to Poland.
Now is the time when I look around and wonder when I forgot how to use a calendar, because once again the end of the year has snuck up on me. But here we are, with many of the royal families beginning to wind things down for Christmas holidays, and it is indeed time for our annual year in review posts. Today, a look at some of the year's main events.
I always look first for those events that bring together big groups of international royals, and as I tried to remember what happened this year (always a struggle), I had one thought: We have been so spoiled by the past few years. Seriously, 2013 capped a run of years packed with the kind of events - weddings! jubilees! inaugurations! - that bring us big fat royal gatherings. In comparison, 2014 has felt much quieter on the international royal front.
From the centenary of World War I to the 70th anniversary of D-Day (pictured above), this has been a year of remembrance. And when I thought back to occasions where royals from different countries came together, it was often for these memorials. So often a somber duty, but one they do particularly well.
Also tops on the list of Important Royal Events of 2014: King Juan Carlos abdicating in favor of his son Felipe, continuing the trend of throne swaps from 2013 and keeping us well stocked with introductory visits to chat about.
The past few years have been full of weddings, so I suppose it only follows that we are now in the years of BABIES. Prince George's first tour, Princess Leonore's birth and christening, twins for Monaco, a second baby on the way for the Cambridges, and more. Tiny humans, everywhere, running the show.
We did have a few weddings on our radar this year, though: in Monaco (well, actually in Switzerland, but you know what I mean), in Germany, in Japan, in Morocco. But the one that tops my list for Royal Wedding of the Year was that of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este and Elisabetta (Lili) Maria Rosboch von Wolkenstein. Even in a sparse wedding year, we still get our share of Valentino couture gowns. And 2014 leaves us with the promise of at least one big royal event for 2015 in the nuptials of Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist.
Stay tuned in the coming days, as we revisit the year's tiara moments and some of our favorite looks from our regulars. Until then:
What was your favorite 2014 royal moment?
Photos: Samir Hussein/Wire Image via Getty Images, RTVE video, Anna-Lena Ahlström/Kungahuset.se, Elisabetta Villa via Getty Images
As we cap a busy week, a few items we haven't covered here and a few leftovers from last week. Tidbits, here we go:
-Queen Fabiola was laid to rest on Friday. It was an emotional ceremony, with Queen Mathilde among those in tears. A Spanish performance paid tribute to Fabiola's roots and some of the young members of the family took part in readings. It was a fitting memorial for a much-loved queen.
-Allow these new photos of Prince George to put a holiday smile on your face. The little socks are killing me. [BBC]
The latest photos of Prince George for you! Our little Prince is pictured sitting on the steps of Kensington Palace. pic.twitter.com/kWkj9aAtTz — Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) December 13, 2014
-From a couple weeks ago, an interesting article on Cartier's Royal Tiara. The newly crafted piece includes a perfect natural pearl that belonged to Queen Mary (consort of George V and our magpie queen). Can't say I'm a fan of the tiara form. [Wall Street Journal]
Queen Fabiola of Belgium, widow of King Baudouin, died Friday at Stuyvenberg Castle in Brussels. She was 86 years old. Today's Sunday Tidbits are devoted entirely to the late queen, with pictures, videos, links to past features on this blog, and links to a few features in her memory elsewhere.
Baudouin and Fabiola
--The Telegraph's obituary details her journey from Spanish aristocrat and nurse to Queen of the Belgians, and how she and Baudouin became completely devoted to one another through it all, even their (ultimately unsuccessful) struggles to have a child.
--They married on December 15, 1960, and Fabiola's gown was a monumental creation that we have covered in depth in the past. Since Baudouin was already king, she went straight into her position as Queen of the Belgians, and the dress reflects that with its grand scale and regal use of fur trim. It was made by the great couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga, a fellow Spaniard.
Video: British Pathé newsreel coverage of the wedding
Queen Sofia of Spain views Fabiola's wedding gown while at the official opening of the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum
--At the wedding, Fabiola wore the Nine Provinces Tiara, which was given to her by her father-in-law, King Leopold III. This is the one Belgian tiara that has really been designated the queen's tiara - Fabiola passed it on to the next queen, Paola, after Baudouin died, and it has now been passed on to Mathilde.
Video: Scenes from the wedding, in color
--The Nine Provinces Tiara was one of three tiaras she wore and they've all been covered here individually. The other two remained in her possession: the Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara, an extremely flexible piece that could be worn with different stones and in two different tiara configurations plus as a necklace and separate elements, and the smaller Wolfers Necklace Tiara, which could also (as the name states) be used as a necklace. Both were wedding gifts.
Using a piece of the Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara on her necklace, 1978
--As for what will happen to Fabiola's estate, the palace confirmed reports that she left it to charity - specifically, to the Queen's Charities (Ouvres de la Reine). But they declined to share further details, as it is a private matter. It is of note, though, since her attempts to use a foundation to secure some of her assets in the past couple years resulted in accusations of tax dodging. The government cut her allowance in response to the uproar, and she abandoned her plans for the foundation. It speaks volumes about Fabiola, I think, that her solution was to give it to those that need it.
--The Royal Hats Blog is posting on the late queen's hat style. She was known more for her serious devotion to one hairstyle than for her hats, I suppose, but she has some major millinery statements in her past. In the past few years, she was prone to ditching the hats, and the tiaras too. She made her own dress code. And to an extent, she had always done so - she may have had tiaras, but she notably avoided wearing almost all orders.
--And finally, Queen Fabiola's funeral will be held on Friday, December 12, at 10 a.m. in Brussels at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. She will be greatly missed!
Photos: National Archives and Records Administration/Wikimedia Commons, Getty Images as indicated
