We are creeping toward spring in my neck of the woods. I hope the seasonal change coming toward you is bringing you some joy. We need a bit of light in our lives.
Getty
Getty is focused on investitures and Olympians this week. You can see it all at the link. The royal Birthday rollcall includes Prince Oscar on March 6 (6) and Timothy Laurence on March 1 (66).
Fifty for the Fiftieth
That was a bonkers poll! You love Crown Princess Mary in evening wear. I don’t detect too many trends – she wears it all well – but was surprised at how the perennial favorite “Bambi” dress had to fight off the “Tangerine Dream” to keep first place. Jesper Høvring works his magic in many colors and silhouettes.
Next up: Hats! Get your choices in order.
The Netherlands
It was lovely to see Princess Beatrix and her signature cake hat out and about. She attended the commemoration of the battle in the Java Sea in the Kloosterkerk. It’s been 80 years, and it would be interesting to know her thoughts.
Here is some background on the brooch from a good friend of the blog, Hofdude Triple-A.
When Princess Beatrix celebrated her 21st birthday, the Gold and Silver Federation, the trade association of jewelers, presented her with a brooch. The diamond-encrusted outlines of a violet gem have an oval sapphire at the heart. At the time, it was considered the birthstone of Aquarius and the Federation reported that sapphires promote sincerity and loyalty, impart calmness and peace of mind, and keep them youthful. Since then, Beatrix has worn the brooch often and sapphires became one of her favorite stones. Beatrix once lost her violin brooch, after which a copy was made. But the original was found and since then there are two. And at some point, it was decided to replace a sapphire with a ruby. Princes Laurentien also likes to wear both copies: for example: when Countess Leonore was baptized in 2006, she wore the ruby version. During Prinsjesdag 2009 the sapphire version.
Britain
The Cambridge cheering section attended last week’s Guinness Six Nations rugby match. Kate was barracking for England and William was in the tank for Wales. They are patrons of the Rugby Football Union (Kate) and Welsh Rugby Union (Wills). The Duchess wore a houndstooth Holland Cooper coat and her son wore some pretty big smiles and some worried frowns. Rugby, his parents say, is a “big thing” in their house.
Jordan
King Abdullah and Queen Rania visited the UAE and were presented with the 2022 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. Rania’s swishy skirt is an Emilia Wickstead and she paired it with a blouse embellished with the doves of peace, one carrying a small rose in its mouth. You can see a close-up at New My Royals.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania receive the Zayed award for Human Fraternity in its 2022 edition. The award came in appreciation of their efforts in promoting human fraternity and respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence and was awarded during a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/3Ec685q9Xq
— Queen Maxima and Royal Ladies (@vaninaswchindt) February 27, 2022
Select Your Spam
Community participation is the key to this blog’s success. When royal news is slow, we often run our popular Spam posts. We’re fascinated by the subjects you find interesting, so periodically we will be asking you to select what you would like to talk about next. We’ll provide the general category (this week is earrings) and you can provide specifics. There are some thought starters below, but you can add your own. Your chosen subject will run at some point over the next couple of weeks.
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