WEDDING FLOWERS: Netherlands
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Showing posts with label Netherlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Netherlands. Show all posts

Royal Outfit Grab Bag of the Day: June 26

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In which we explore some totally unrelated Things About Which I Have Thoughts for the week:

Queen Máxima attended a conference, June 22
See, when you overdo it with the accent color, you lose the delight of an accent color in the first place.

Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece (with the Marquess of Douro) at the Ralph Lauren & Vogue Wimbledon Party, June 22
M-C's got it down. The unexpected pink of the purse is the whole point.

Princess Beatrix at a sailing event, June 20
Visor Alert: Queen Princess Beatrix helms her own ship (De Groene Draeck, the Green Dragon) and her bouffant bends for no occasion. 

Queen Rania hosted women for iftar at Raghadan Palace, June 21
Oh, this Roksanda Ilincic frock is such a perfect dress-to-wearer match. I appreciate an Ilincic done simply even more after that recent Ascot episode.

Crown Princess Mary (with her plus one, Fred) attended the Reumert Awards honoring the Danish performing arts, June 21. Click here for a gallery.
I saw some clips of this show. I got the impression it wouldn't have made much more sense even if I did speak Danish, which I don't. But that makes it a great occasion for this outfit, which is a long dress with a long kimono on top (from Rabens Saloner).
It's the perfect outfit for swanning about one's lanai all day, before heading out for an evening of baffling theater. I'd take the whole ensemble home, no problem. And I'm not just saying that because I need those Portuguese gold filigree earrings in my life rightthissecond.

Photos: via Getty Images, Queen Rania Instagram, Liberty, DR screencap, Rabens Saloner, Alma e Coração

Tiara Watch of the Day: June 25

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The sneakiest tiara occasion of the Dutch year happened last night: the annual gala dinner for the Corps Diplomatique. Pictures from inside are not usually released, so glimpses from the steps as they enter (in regular day clothes) and leave (fully bedazzled) are as much of the splendor as they share. This year, on video:
Departures (including tiaras) begin at 1:18.
Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix swapped wedding tiaras, because they are the cutest, with the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara for Máxima and the Pearl Button Tiara (Diamond Star Version) for Beatrix. Princess Margriet was also present, wearing the pearl version of the Emerald Parure Tiara. (Click here for a few photos.)

Máx brought back one of her greatest gala gowns, an orange lace number she wore to her pre-wedding dinner. She also repeated it for the 2002 wedding of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Ari Behn, just a few months later: 
A whole lot more elegant than you'd think it would be from the orange lace description, right? That's what happens when you get your orange lace from Valentino, I guess.

Photo: via Getty Images
Big Royal Hats of the Week: June 23

Big Royal Hats of the Week: June 23

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Ascot doesn't have a monopoly on the big hats, you know.

The Duchess of Cornwall took time out from Ascot to toss a mop on her head and head out with the Prince of Wales to continue the work they started in Belgium, leading the royal party at a St. Paul's Cathedral service to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. (Cams is wearing her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp and a badge from the Rifles, by the way.)

A big group of royals and other dignitaries gathered in Belgium to do the same, including the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, the King and Queen of the Belgians, the King and Queen of the Netherlands, and the Duke of Kent.
'Twas a standard appearance for two of the Ms - Maria Teresa and Máxima, though I am a little concerned that Máx had an altercation with a road line painter on the way to Belgium - and a gorgeous appearance for their royal hostess.
This is the second time in a week I've looked at Mathilde and thought nothing more than she looks goooood. So let's keep that up.

I like to imagine that Queen Máxima realized she missed an opportunity for a big hat there, because she returned home and promptly donned this monster, to open the Design Derby Netherlands:
It takes a lot to overshadow a chapeau like this, but my attention was diverted by what I genuinely thought might be a lobster slung 'round her neck. (She would wear one too, you know she would.)
Honestly, I'm a little disappointed to find out that wasn't the case.

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated

Prince Carl Philip & Sofia's Wedding: Royal Guests, Part 2

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This is Part 2: Return of the Royal Fashion Awards, covering the royal guests at the Swedish royal wedding. (Here's Part 1.)

Spoiler Alert: This one includes my favorites. So much goodness, I needed TWO bests of the best. 

Miss Congeniality
Princess Hisako of Takamado
Things we learn while watching the wedding broadcast: Our Japanese representative is apparently an utter delight. So chatty, so smiley! I think she and Sophie Wessex are royal BFFs now.
Princess Hisako is wearing a different tiara than the one she wore to Princess Madeleine's wedding, the jeweled bird on her shoulder is a work of art, and her skirt comes with its own cape. Can she come to everything, please?!

Best in Gifts
The Countess of Wessex
Sophie's very flattering dress is by Taťána Kovaříková, and it was an official gift to her during a recent trip to Prague (per the Countess of Wessex Blog). Which, uh, is MUCH better than all the engraved toilet seats and ceremonial croquet mallets and whatnot they usually collect on those jaunts. Other cities need to get on Prague's level.
Sophie gave us another look at the aquamarine and diamond tiara she wears from Collins & Sons jewelers, which I appreciate - we haven't covered this one in depth, and we need to. Understated and elegant all around, this appearance.

Best in Elegant
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
Speaking of understated and elegant, I think Mathilde owns some version of this silhouette in all her favorite colors, and I can see why. This edition is lightly beaded and boosted by some serious diamond power, including the bandeau of the Nine Provinces Tiara and Queen Fabiola's diamond fringe brooch.
Look at that updo. Someone get me a cinnamon roll, I'm having a craving. 

Best of the Best #1
Princess Tatiana of Greece
I'm pleased to report that Tatiana's streak of fabulousness at Scandinavian royal weddings remains unbroken. She's been wearing Greek designer Celia Kritharioti lately, and this couture dream is just another reason she should make that a permanent relationship. I'm swooning over here!
 
Plus, Tatiana gave us another NEW TIARA ALERT! This one's a mystery; we don't know if she borrowed it for the event, or if she owns it. And though it be but little, its sparkle is fierce.

Best of the Best #2
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
Hey hey! Not a culotte in sight! *praise hands emoji* This Jan Taminiau gown, worn the evening of Wax's inauguration, gives me chills. CHILLS, I say. And I can't object to a smattering of rubies, here in the form of the Mellerio Ruby Parure.
Now that we know that she intends to reuse the inauguration gowns, is it possible to require that they be used at least once a month? Asking for a friend.

And with those two mic drops, the Royal Fashion Awards for the guests are complete. See you tomorrow for some Tidbits fun (with some wedding moments we haven't yet discussed, because this is the last tiarafest wedding for a long time, probably, so it is imperative that we soak it up, people).

Who do you crown the Best Dressed Wedding Guest?

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, SVT video, Jan Taminiau

Royal Outfit Grab Bag of the Day: June 10

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GREETINGS. Here are some random pockets of fabulousness that I would like to share with you, so that we may bask in the glow of their splendiferousness together:

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel at the Polar Music Prize last night
Victoria occasionally tries to go a little bit edgy for the music stuff, which is fine but not really in her wheelhouse. This is much better. Straight from the music event to cocktails on a warm Ibiza night, this. I hope someone gave her a drink with a wee umbrella in it.
Dress from House of Dagmar, Earrings from Oscar de la Renta


King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia also attended the Polar Music Prize
Here's Sils at the same event. (With a fur, so there goes my Ibiza fantasy.) Fabulous designation goes to the color only; the Yuki-designed ensemble itself is suspiciously Zbornakian.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia commemorated Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
Letizia mixed and matched a previously worn jacket and a previously worn skirt, and the whole is greater than the sum of its two parts. Well done.

Queen Máxima during the official visit to the U.S. last week.
And finally: Máx looks chic, and this brooch (from Queen Sophie, worn by Beatrix on her wedding day) is to die for. This was last week - a MILLION YEARS AGO in internet times - but dedicated Máx fans understand the importance of saving up the chic moments to sustain you during the long droughts, like a camel heading for a Sartorial Sahara that could spring itself on you at any time.

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, Nelly, Oscar de la Renta

Tiara Thursday: The Dutch Ears of Wheat Tiara

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Last week, Queen Máxima dipped into a part of the Dutch jewel collection she had previously left untouched, wearing a few of the family's diamond ears of wheat as hair ornaments. These may be small jewels, but they have a big history.
The Dutch Ears of Wheat Tiara
They are thought to have a Russian origin and are traced back to Queen Catherine of Württemberg (1788-1819, born Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna of Russia). Catherine's daughter Sophie (1818-1877) was the first wife of King William III of the Netherlands, and she brought the set of diamond ears of wheat to their Dutch home. They have remained in the royal family ever since, and are part of the family foundation.
Princess Margriet (left), Princess Irene (right)
Queen Máxima's use of three in barrette style was a reminder that they haven't always been set in tiara form. Using them in traditional tiara style became the norm during the reign of Queen Juliana (1909-2004; reign 1948-1980), and the tiara was worn particularly by Juliana's three youngest daughters (Princesses Irene, Margriet, and Christina). The current tiara frame allows for four, six, or eight ears of wheat to be set in two piles on either side of the head. The two lowest ears nearly join in the middle, but apart from that, there is no center design element.
Princess Laurentien
Princess Margriet used the tiara as a young princess and has continued to be the royal family member that uses the tiara most frequently for gala occasions. Princess Laurentien has also given it a try, but the Ears of Wheat have found their greatest recognition as a bridal tiara.
Princess Anita
All four of Princess Margriet's daughters-in-law (Princesses Marilène, Annette, Anita, and Aimée) wore the Ears of Wheat Tiara for their religious wedding ceremonies. Princess Irene's daughter, Princess Margarita, wear the tiara for her first wedding. And it's most recent bridal outing was on Irene's daughter-in-law, Princess Viktória, who wore it for her 2013 nuptials.
Princess Viktória
The brides have used the tiara with varying numbers of diamond elements, sometimes ending up hiding those elements with the pouf of a veil, which is one downside to using this as a bridal diadem. But the upside is that a veil can even out the somewhat sparse middle section of the tiara, helping avoid the unfortunate squaring off of the head that this tiara can cause when not backed by enough hair. Ears of wheat are a recurring motif in jewelry of the time and in tiaras, even though the long and skinny shapes aren't necessarily easy to adapt to a tiara design. It's always a surprise to be reminded that there are pieces in the royal collection that haven't been touched by Máxima's quest to leave no stone unturned (literally), but at the same time, I can't blame her for leaving this tiara alone.

Who do you think wears this one best?

Photos: via Getty Images and gahetNA//Fotocollectie Anefo/Nationaal Fotopersbureau

Royal Visit Catch Up of the Day: June 1

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima wrapped up their state visit to Canada last week and have now headed to the United States for an official visit.

Click here for a video
We covered day 1 of the Canadian fun last week, and day 2 continued with another lace and big hat combo in olive, which is sort of drab, but really anything's an improvement on the arrival outfit. I will say this is the first time I've thought that Máx might have reached her hat size limit. Lots of angles where she's taking hat head to new heights...by entirely eliminating her face.

Photo: Governor-General of Canada/Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall
The evening concert hosted by Their Majesties featured a repeat of the red Valentino gown Máx wore to Prinsjesdag last year, which feels so plain without a sash to break up the red sea. Not even a tsunami of a side part can save this one.
This is one bad perm away from the 1980s. But she is wearing something intriguing in the jewel department: pieces from the Ears of Wheat Tiara, detached and worn barrette-style. The Ears of Wheat Tiara is one of the rare diadems that Máx hasn't worn from the family collection. At least not yet.

Day three - just in time for the trip's end - finally brought the best day outfit of the journey. This repeated white Natan frock with another big hat proves that a slight decrease in brim size can make all the difference.
And bonus points for earring style. Always bonus points for that.

Sunday night, they started their next visit in Washington, D.C. with a dinner at the residence of the Dutch ambassador. Máxima wore the absolute worst spider brooch EVER and it is TRAUMATIZING.
Video here, photos here.
 NOPE NOPE NOPE. That is all.

 
Photos: NOS video, gg.ca, via Twitter and Getty Images as indicated

Sunday Tidbits for May 24: Jewelry Debuts and See-Through Shoes

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No less than three royal ladies debuted new jewels this week, and I'm always here for that. Sparkly tidbits await you:

--Queen Máxima was out and about with a napkin on her head, but check out those earrings. HELLO LOVER. These are new pieces for her, and she continues to have one of the best collections of pink gems on the royal block. [Zimbio]

--Speaking of Máx, she and King Willem-Alexander are heading out for a state visit to Canada beginning Wednesday (they'll be in Ottawa, University of Waterloo, Beamsville, and Toronto), and an official visit to the United States the following week (Washington, D.C., Grand Rapids, Chicago). Those links will take you to the official agendas, in Dutch. [Het Koninklijk Huis]

--The Countess of Wessex visited Prague and got a new brooch! [Countess of Wessex Blog]

--The Duchess of Cornwall visited Ireland and got a new brooch! [Jewel Vault]

--That brooch came during an historic and well-received trip with the Prince of Wales to Ireland and Northern Ireland this week. One particularly emotional moment came during a trip to the place where Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA bomb, and Charles' speech there is embedded below. [Storify, YouTube]

--There seems to be an epidemic of sculpture openings in the Netherlands this week. Throw some orange in the mix for Princess Beatrix's opening, and she could have played along with the M&M twin show. [Royal Hats Blog]

--We have a confirmed international royal guest for the upcoming Swedish royal wedding: Princess Hisako of Takamado, who also attended Princess Madeleine's wedding. The official guest list has not been released yet, but more royal courts will eventually publish their agendas independently, as the Japanese imperial household has done. [Imperial Family of Japan Blog]

--Cutie pie Princess Leonor had her first communion this week, with the royal family in attendance. Queen Letizia sported see-through shoes from Magrit with her Felipe Varela ensemble and a matching transparent vinyl clutch with silver lining. Worked well enough for Cinderella, I suppose. (Transparent vinyl peep toes are the new glass slippers, did you not get that memo?) [Hola]

Tomorrow's a holiday, but I'll be here to bring you some ~*gLamOur*~ anyway, so stay tuned...

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, YouTube
Royal Style Twins of the Day: May 22

Royal Style Twins of the Day: May 22

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Okay, so here's what I think happened:
Queen Máxima and Queen Mathilde took one look at what was going on with the sculpture exhibition they were opening in The Hague this week...
...and their mission was clear: TIME TO SEUSS IT UP. And did they succeed? Yes they did indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
I think we can guess which of these brains decided they should be rhyming technicolor cartoons for the day. Sporting a millinery party platter of Seussical costume trimmings, Máxima was outfitted in a coral-y orange Natan coat dress with extra volume in the skirt and sleeves and coral pendant earrings. Obviously keen to live up to their Natan Twins moniker, Mathilde also sported the Belgian brand in an orange and blue print belted frock with a Fabienne Delvigne blue turban and pearl earrings.
I'm telling you, I LOVE this appearance and every bit of ridiculous contained within. Seriously! They made me laugh, they made themselves laugh, and - here's the important part - they did their best to be highly visible for all the onlookers hoping to catch the double queen show at an outdoor engagement. That's a job well done. They can bathe themselves in beige another day.

And in case you have any doubt that this was a plan and not a coincidence, note that Mathilde made an outfit switch just for her jaunt with Máx.
Earlier that day, she was sporting the same hat but with a repeated blue floral Dries Van Noten dress for a pit stop at the residence of the Belgian ambassador in The Hague. Definitely a color scheme designed for an easy flip into twin mode. Also, this:
A joint appearance in 2007
Classic. Oh, you two.

Photos: via Getty Images and Twitter as indicated

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