Royal Gowns of the Week: November 14

Royal Gowns of the Week: November 14

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Let's close the week on an elegant note, shall we? TWO elegant notes, in fact. Thursday was a good day for evening gowns.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took on the task of attending the annual Royal Variety Performance, something that rotates between family members. Has anybody else noticed that William made the switch to loafers (in velvet or suede, looks like) with his tuxes now? I feel like we should talk about that. Subtle slipper style. Me likes. I shall await his debut of the McQueen beaded skull style.

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I suspect you did not come here to talk about men's shoes, though. Fair enough. To Kate! She wore a new dress from Diane von Furstenberg in black lace. This is the second DVF lace gown we've seen this month, actually, the first being the plum number sported by Princess Stéphanie during Germany's state visit to Luxembourg. Put Stéphanie's color with Kate's neckline and sleeve length, and I'd be in heaven. I'm in heaven anyway because of a Kate Updo Sighting, mind you, but I'm quite greedy.

She also wore her Kiki McDonough blue topaz and diamond hoop earrings

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark also had a night out, traveling to Germany where Mary was presented with a BAMBI Award for her charitable endeavors, particularly her work against domestic violence. Frederik tagged along, probably because he saw Mary's dress and jumped at the perfect opportunity to wear that navy tux he likes so much. (Or maybe just because he was proud of his wife, I'm not a mind reader.)

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It's getting to that time when I start pondering the best looks of the year, and people, we have a serious contender for Mary's best. This is a Moment right here, capital M. That sparkly dress under all those lights, fabulous!

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Mary's navy blue gown is from Jesper Høvring, worn with her aquamarine girandole earrings, a massive ring, and an Ole Lynggaard Flower bracelet. She's worn the matching Lynggaard Flower earrings in the past, and though I usually reserve my drooling for the older jewels, I neeeeed this set in the worst way. Sadly, no Santa that's ever visited my house has pockets quite that deep. Le sigh.

 Anyway, this has been your dose of Friday pretty. Carry on.


Photos: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images, Net-a-Porter, Kiki McDonough, Matthias Nareyek and Luca Teuchmann via Getty Images, Jesper Høvring, Ole Lynggaard

Tiara Watch of the Day: November 4

Tiara Watch of the Day: November 4

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There will come a day when Tiara Season is over. Thanks be to the Tiara Gods, today is not that day! Legit jumpy claps when I saw this pop up on the twitters:

First picture of tonight's state banquet in Luxembourg by @Wort_LU. Stéphanie in amethysts, MT possibly citrines. pic.twitter.com/dvMr47xQa4
— Sydney Luxarazzi (@SydneyLux) November 3, 2014

Luxembourg busted out their tiaras to host a state visit from Germany! Excellent. But believe it or not, the dresses are winning most of my affection here. (Actually, it's totally believable, isn't it. Those tiaras - the Topaz/Citrine and Pearl Tiara for the Grand Duchess and an amethyst bandeau for the Hereditary Grand Duchess - are present but aren't exactly scene stealers.)

For Stéphanie, a purple lace Diane von Furstenberg gown (per Luxarazzi, which also offers more info on this state visit) with accompanying bonus points for anything purple. For Maria Teresa, a mix-and-match bespoke look from Elie Saab Fall 2012 Couture. The gowns that spawned the one MT wears are among my favorites from his recent couture collections, and I'm feeling very exclamation pointy about seeing the look come to life. Exclamation point!

Photos: MyTheresa, Style.com

Royal Outfits of the Day: October 20

Royal Outfits of the Day: October 20

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Queen Mathilde has been a busy bee lately. Let's catch up with a few of her sartorial highlights, shall we?

Together with King Philippe and Princess Elisabeth, who delivered a poised speech in each of the three national languages of Belgium, Mathilde attended a special service commemorating World War I. (Click here for a video of Elisabeth's speech, or here for a gallery.)

The Queen wore a blue gray coat from Natan, which was flattering in the way that these types of silhouettes are generically flattering. That sounds like damning with faint praise, I know, but I did like it - perfectly soft and muted for the occasion.

Expo 'The Power of Object(s) - Design Bestsellers in Belgium' @ ING Art Center Brussels pic.twitter.com/qKvyzHarjb
— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) October 16, 2014

Prior to that, there was a run of printed day dresses, and it's no surprise that I'd argue the most successful of them all was a classic Diane von Furstenberg printed wrap dress.

Another generically flattering, classic-for-a-reason piece, but they usually suit her particularly well. A big geometric print was a good fit for an engagement involving design, anyway.

And finally, an evening look to ponder, for the Autumn Concert at the palace.

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A black lace dress from Marc Philippe Coudeyre with big earrings and a lining that makes me do a double take. Do a double take and then promptly giggle, of course, because Mathilde of all people would have a lining firmly in place.

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Also double take worthy: Princess Claire (on the other side of the King) and that top, which seems to be sparkly only on the front. If you're going to bring the disco, bring it all the way or don't bother, I say.

Photos: RTL video, @MonarchieBe, Diane von Furstenberg, Mark Renders via Getty Images