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

Royal Pre-Wedding Flashback of the Day: June 12

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The festivities for Prince Carl Philip and Sofia's wedding start today (Friday), with a pre-wedding dinner this evening. We'll be back later for that. Until then, shall we revisit one of the most epic royal pre-wedding looks of all time?

On the night before Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling's wedding, the Swedish royal family and their guests attended a dinner and concert. Victoria's look for the evening is one of my all-time favorite royal looks, because it's just the most...everything. Everything here is the MOST (and also, the BEST).


The most couture of couture dresses, a true example of the craft both in terms of workmanship (all that embellishment!) and in customization (an Elie Saab classic, similar to looks from the Spring 2010 Couture runway, but made bespoke for Victoria).

The most elaborate earrings, an impressive set created from a pair of diamond epaulettes (ornamental shoulder pieces often used on a military uniform) and worn for the first time at this event.

The most fabulous use of the family's heirloom diamond arrow brooch. Cupid's arrow, indeed!

The most dashing train attendant of all time. Who needs a lady-in-waiting when you have a husband-in-waiting, amirite?

Oh and also: the most adorableness. Whatever you do, don't forget the awwwwwww...
It's kinda rare to have pre-wedding events with as much fanfare as Victoria and Daniel did (she is the crown princess, after all; her siblings did/will have private dinners instead), thus making this level of MOSTness appropriate. But that's okay. This one deserves to be unique.

Programming Note: Today's a multiple post day, oh la la! Scroll down for a second outfit post (if you dare) and as I said at the top, we'll also be back later to chat about this evening's pre-wedding dinner in Sweden.

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated / Style.com

Tiara Thursday: Queen Sophia's Diamond and Pearl Tiara

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The lone tiara belonging to Princess Christina of Sweden, one of the sisters of King Carl XVI Gustaf, was made by Ribbhagen from small old cut diamonds and small pearls. It was a petite diadem, but one with a strong family ties. Along with other pieces such as the Nine Prong Tiara and Queen Sophia's Star and Pearl Tiara, it came from Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway (1836-1913), the wife of Oscar II. Sophia left the tiara to her granddaughter, Elsa Cedergren (1893-1996). Elsa then returned the tiara to the working royal family by giving it to her goddaughter, Princess Christina, as an 18th birthday present.
Queen Sophia's Diamond and Pearl Tiara
As the only one of King Carl Gustaf's sisters that continues to attend regular royal events, Princess Christina has plenty of tiara opportunities and she regularly wore Queen Sophia's small tiara, alternating it with tiaras borrowed from the family jewel stash. The tiara and the rest of Princess Christina's personal jewels were kept in a safe in the home she shares with her husband near the Royal Palace. In late May 2012, Christina went to the safe and made a startling discovery: the tiara, together with several other jewels, was gone.
The Nobel Prize Ceremony, 1964. Christina is far left in Queen Sophia's tiara, Queen Louise is center in the Baden Fringe Tiara, Princess Sibylla is to the right in the Connaught Tiara.
A couple years prior to that discovery, Princess Christina's husband, Tord Magnuson, had made the acquaintance of a 19-year-old refugee. The boy arrived in Sweden without family, and Tord had become his mentor. The couple welcomed him into their home, even at times inviting him to stay with them. While alone in the apartment in April 2012, he stumbled upon the secret compartment that held the key to their safe.
The theft came in two waves. He first removed a bounty that included a gold bracelet given to Princess Christina by the Emperor of Ethiopia during a 1956 state visit, two rings (an aquamarine from Christina's great-grandmother, Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont, valued at 25,000 SEK, and a large diamond royal heirloom valued at 450,000 SEK), and a pair of gold cufflinks that belonged to Gustaf VI Adolf (30,000 SEK). These items, he later said, were sold for a measly 9,000 SEK (just over $1,000) to a pair of drug dealers apparently intent on melting them down . On May 18th, he was at the home to help serve at a private party the couple were throwing, and used the opportunity to reenter the safe. This time, he took the tiara. He later stopped at a bridge and tossed the tiara - still in its black storage bag - into the water.
Nobel 2010
The theft was discovered a few days later. The thief tearfully confessed his crime to Princess Christina and her husband, but efforts to recover the jewels sold to the drug dealers were unsuccessful, as were all efforts by divers to recover the tiara. The tiara's value was placed at 350,000 SEK, bringing the minimum total value of the theft to 855,000 SEK (over $100,000).
Nobel 2011, the tiara's last big appearance
It was a small tiara that tended to disappear in her hair even with a tall base, but it must have been light and easy to wear and I would imagine Princess Christina misses having it at her disposal. Since it went missing, she has continued her frequent use of the Six Button Tiara (she also happens to be the best wearer of that tiara, so that works out well). She has also begun to borrow her sister Princess Margaretha's tiara, the Swedish Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara, and it's been nice to see her with an additional option after losing her own.

Where did this one rank on your list of favorite small tiaras?

Photos:  Kungahuset / via Getty Images

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

Royal Trip of the Day: June 8

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The Swedish royal family celebrated National Day on Saturday. Before Crown Princess Victoria got to that, though, she embarked on a two day trip to Portugal that revolved around the Volvo Ocean Race and included a stint sailing with Team SCA in addition to other engagements. I'm going to say...tentatively...she's officially got her style mojo back. Celebrate! (While knocking on wood, come on now, don't jinx it.)

My love for this Preen dress is REAL, and I will tell you about it every chance I get. Take note.

MY LOVE FOR PURPLE DRESSES IS ALSO REAL. And this one is so, so great - so great she couldn't help accessorizing with lavender earrings.
More pieces for her collection of Shourouk costume jewels, which is going to grow at an exponential pace if matching gems to dresses is required.

And this one is the best use of her big Jenny Packham collar/necklace we've seen yet. Success at last! 

As they have done in past years, the family released a new picture of Princess Estelle as a greeting for National Day. (Photo: Kate Gabor / Kungahuset.se)
Victoria's trip lasted right up until National Day. A little too close to National Day, actually, because flight troubles in Denmark on the way back resulted in her having to travel overnight by car instead, cutting it close with a packed day of engagements waiting at home for her. That day began with a fun white look for Victoria at a citizenship ceremony and ended with the rest of the royal family at the annual concert.

The concert means national costume for everyone! Well, for the ladies. The gents don't play along. Sofia Hellqvist added to the blue and yellow festival this year, missing only the white kerchief which is for married women.

A very pregnant Princess Madeleine modeled a maternity version of the national dress, wisely opting out of the bumpy carriage the rest of the family took. Just a few more days left to hang in there...

Photos: via Kungahuset and Getty Images as indicated, Lyst

Sunday Tidbits for June 7: All Your Royal Wedding Watching Details, Plus More

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First order of tidbits business: All the stuff you need to know for Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist's wedding on Saturday. Stay tuned for more bits after we stop humming "Here Comes the Bride"...
The Royal Chapel, where the wedding will take place. (via Kungahuset.se)
--Here's what you need to know if you're interesting in watching the wedding:
  • The wedding is on Saturday, June 13th, at 16:30 - that's 4:30 pm - Stockholm time. Here's a time zone converter for you; it's 10:30 am Eastern time for my North American friends.
  • Sweden's SVT will broadcast the wedding all the way from guest arrivals through the cutting of the cake.
    • The broadcast begins at 15:00 with commentary and guest arrivals.
    • The cortege after the wedding is estimated to start at 17:30.
    • Dinner around 19:30.
    • The cake portion is estimated to happen around 22:30.
  • Here's the livestreaming link. SVT streams big events like this without geoblocking, much to the delight of royal fans around the world!
  • Yes, we will have a live blog up here for those that want to chat on the wedding day, and I'll be on Twitter as well.
--Here's what the guest list of international royals looks like so far. Remember, this is not the official list from the Swedish court yet, just those royal houses that have confirmed attendance on their own, so it's all subject to change. Oh, and don't forget the entire Swedish royal family...
  • Belgium: Queen Mathilde
  • Denmark: Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie
  • Japan: Princess Hisako of Takamado
  • Netherlands: Queen Máxima
  • Norway: Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Märtha Louise, Ari Behn
  • United Kingdom: Earl and Countess of Wessex


Still with me? Superb. On to the other stuff:

--Hey, you know what else is happening this coming Saturday? Trooping the Colour in London, a.k.a. The Queen's Birthday Parade, that's what! BBC1 broadcasts that starting at 10:30 local time. You can look for coverage of the event over at the Jewel Vault on Saturday. [BBC]

--Princess Charlotte of Cambridge will be christened on July 5 at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate. Unless you've just emerged from under your cozy rock, it probably hasn't escaped you that the first photos of Prince George and his sister (taken by the Duchess of Cambridge) have been published. [BBC]

--New photos were also published of Prince Félix, Princess Claire, and Princess Amalia to mark the Luxembourg prince's 31st birthday. [Luxarazzi]

--The Royal Yacht Squadron celebrated its bicentenary in Cowes on Friday, drawing a whole boatload (heh) of royals: the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Viscount Linley, Prince Michael of Kent, King Harald of Norway, Prince Albert of Monaco, Prince Henrik of Denmark, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, and Crown Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece. As the ancient proverbs say, nothing brings people together quite like the love of a good yacht. [Royal Hats Blog]

--The Japanese imperial family also got in on the state visit action this week, hosting the President of the Philippines. Alas, they passed on the tiaras for their state dinner. [Imperial Family of Japan Blog]

--Prince Harry has been made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order! Aww, baby's first order. We chatted about it over at the Jewel Vault, where I had (totally coincidentally) posted just the day before about the insignia worn for the same order by the Duchess of Cornwall. 

--Also over at the Jewel Vault: A day of racing for the royals at the Epsom Derby. Princess Michael is definitely coordinating her eyepatches to her clothes. Please please please, let her next outfit be rainbow striped.

Coming up this week: Traditions and trips in Sweden, beginner engagements and hats in Denmark, and more (something about a wedding, maybe?)...

Photos:  Kungahuset.se and via Twitter and Getty Images as indicated

Sunday Tidbits for May 31: Dressing Down and Dressing (Hair) Up

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More smart casual wear on the royal grind and a touch of something fancy, but first, a little more wedding info to kick off this week's tidbits:

--More additions for the guest list for Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist's wedding: The Danish royal court confirms that Carl Philip's godmother Queen Margrethe will attend along with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, while Buckingham Palace confirms that the Earl and Countess of Wessex will represent Britain.

--It's a Benelux team up: Queen Mathilde was joined by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition. Are you seeing these hairdos?? Mathilde even had a brooch in hers. Team Updo indeed. [Place Royale]

--Queen Letizia finished up her visit to El Salvador in true Miami Vice style. [Hola]

--Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited Gotland this week, and I am in LOVE with her outfit. Taking a page from the Letizia Book of Casual Tricks, she went all white with ballerina shoes to combat the walking and a white fedora for some sass. (She also dressed it up a touch with some heels while in the palace.) I haven't liked one of her everyday outfits this much in a looong time. [Expressen, Svenskdam]

--Also joining in on the semi-casual trend: Crown Princess Mary, visiting a new project for one of her patronages this week. [SN]

--On the un-casual end of the spectrum, look at how cute Queen Silvia is in her pink suit, attending The Childhood Day in Stockholm. Crisp and clean and bright. [Getty]

--I tweeted this earlier in the week, but I must pass on this terribly helpful piece yet again: Tips for Running a Stately Home on a Budget. You've got to buy your dinner gongs at an auction, people. Don't waste your money on a retail dinner gong, for heaven's sake. [Tatler]

--This investigation into who owns the most expensive private residence in London is a fascinating sort of whodunit. Or, more accurately, whospentit. [The New Yorker]

--And finally, it's been a busy week at the Jewel Vault, including a glittering State Opening of Parliament and an eye-patchy garden party. [Jewel Vault]

Stay tuned, state and official visit-y types of fun coming your way this week...

Photos: via Twitter and Getty Images as indicated

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