Hofdame Bits and Bobs
Britain · Denmark · Norway · Sweden

Hofdame Bits and Bobs

The Handbag

Last week was one of the most exciting weeks we have had since starting this blog. Four tiara events. Four royal tours! (Well, five, actually, and we will circle back on one of them in this Bits and Bobs, with apologies to Queen Silvia). The excitement was compounded by Getty’s giveth and taketh away of our Embed images. Whew.

This week promises to be almost as active, with one of the most historic events we’ll ever have the honor to cover, the Japanese Enthronement. See our other post today for updates on what to expect. We’ll round out the week with our regular features, What If Wednesday and a new tiara series on Friday. We are leaving Thursday open for a possible round-up of enthronement events.

Yet More Tours!

We missed covering Queen Silvia on her visit to Lebanon for Mentor Arabia. She was terrifically dressed throughout, so we must rectify this. Note, particularly, the fabulous Elie Saab for the evening. More information on the events and the transcript of her speech can be found at The Royals and I.

View this post on Instagram

🇱🇧🇸🇪 I veckan befinner sig Drottningen i Libanon för att uppmärksamma @mentorarabia. Stiftelsen Mentor startades av Drottningen och WHO för 25 år sedan. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Under tisdagen genomförde Drottningen flera programpunkter i Beirut. I går förmiddag togs Drottningen emot av Libanons president och första dam (@lbpresidency). Under företrädet informerade Drottningen presidentparet om Mentors verksamhet. Stiftelsens vision är en värld där unga får växa och utvecklas hälsosamt och drogfritt. För att åstadkomma detta arbetar stiftelsen bland annat med mentorskap för ungdomar. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Under eftermiddagen besökte Drottningen American University of Beirut. Drottningen inledde sitt besök vid @aub_lebanon med en guidad tur på campusområdet. I Jaffet-biblioteket invigde Drottningen också en lokal utställning om Mentors verksamhet. Därefter gav Drottningen ett tal i universitetets aula: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ”Today, we see a threatening decrease in physical and mental health. Mental- and substance use disorders are among the top public health concerns in many countries. One of our own recent surveys found that 4 out of 10 suffer from anxiety about the future. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If we want youths all over the world to live healthy and meaningful lives, we need to take these issues seriously – and respond to them forcefully.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Under kvällen mötte Drottningen Libanons premiärminister @saadhariri. Därefter närvarade Drottningen vid en välgörenhetsmiddag till förmån för Mentor Arabia. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷: Mattias Hellström/SPA 🎥: Johan Tegel/Kungl. Hovstaterna

A post shared by Kungahuset (@kungahuset) on

Wedding!

Iselen brought this wedding to our attention in last week’s Bits and Bobs, but in case you missed it, the dress generated a lot of discussion. People love it or they hate it. It’s not a middle ground piece. There were lots and lots of royal guests, including Princess Beatrice, so head to Paris Match to see photos of the line up.

Health and Well Being Updates

Mette Marit spoke to Norwegian television about her illness, and how she is coping. She is facing a serious illness with a great deal of grace.

The documentary on Harry and Meghan’s recent, very successful tour was released, including the news that they will be taking a break from royal duties for a few weeks to focus on their family. Let’s hope it will help reduce some of the stress they are obviously feeling from the whirlwind that has surrounded them.

Let’s End with Benedikte

Because a shot of elegant Bene is never the wrong way to end. New My Royals has some lovely photos of Princess Benedikte attending the annual meeting and gala dinner at the World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses. Yes, that’s a thing, and a fancy one at that!

What did I miss?