Queen Silvia in her spectacular white evening gown with a coat stole the hearts of Baguettes last week. You voted the Swedish state visit to France as your favorite. Excellent choice in a decade full of color and sparkle. Let’s move on, the nineties await!
Japanese State Visit to Denmark, June 1998
The first official visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Denmark occurred from May 31 to June 4, 1998, and they all pushed out the boat for the occasion.
Everyone was bright and crisp for the welcome ceremonies. I particularly enjoy the Empress’s grey and white chic with that lovely detail on her hat. How did she know she would be photographed from that angle?
How often do you see such animated chatting at a state dinner? Queen Margrethe, wearing her Pearl Poire Tiara, and Empress Michiko, wearing the Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara, seemed particularly delighted in each other’s company. Daisy’s Jorgen Bender gown was designed well to be seen from a seated position. The Empress was sporting her trademark cape action, although it, unfortunately, cannot be seen from the photo below.
Princess Alexandra wore a Jorgen Bender gown and the Alexandrine Drop tiara which was on loan to her (and remained with her after her divorce from Prince Joachim).
There were several day trips during the trip, including one to Copenhagen City Hall where the Empress wore the loveliest, palest pink kimono.
Malaysian State Visit to Britain, November 1993
In November 1993, King Azlan Shah and Queen Bainun of Malaysia were hosted by the Queen and Prince Philip for a three-day state visit. The activities included a Welcome Ceremony, State Banquet, and a Return Banquet, and many of the British royals turned out in support.
At the State Banquet, the Queen wore the Burmese Ruby Tiara, the Queen Mother sported the Greville Tiara, and Queen Bainun wore the Gandik Diraja Tiara. Not pictured are the Princess of Wales in the (Cambridge or Queen Mary’s – pick your poison on that one) Lovers Knot Tiara, and the Princess Royal in the Meander. I was surprised that the Princess of Wales was attending official events after the separation, but photos do not lie.
Two days later, the Malaysian royals hosted a Return Banquet at the Dorchester and *everyone* showed up. Tiaras floated through the place in a constant procession. The Queen wore the Wall of Diamonds, more technically called Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik, the Princess of Wales wore the Spencer tiara, the Duchess of Gloucester sported the Gloucester Honeysuckle, Princess Alexandra wore the Ogilvy Tiara, the Duchess of Kent wore the Kent Pearl and Diamond Fringe, and Princess Michael waltzed in with the Kent Festoon. Sparkle city.
Jordanian State Visit to Denmark, April 1998
Everyone wanted more Noor, so here we are! Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark hosted King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan for a State Visit in April 1998. After a rather wet greeting at the airport there was a Welcome Ceremony that was fortunately held in finer weather. The ladies wore shades of blue and brooches – the Connaught Sapphire on Queen Margrethe.
The State Banquet was held at Fredensborg Palace and hosted by Queen Margrethe who just lives for this sort of thing. She wore the Floral Aigrette Tiara wrapped around her updo, and Queen Noor wore her spectacular Sunray Tiara.
The Return Banquet was a lower-key affair hosted by the Jordanian Sovereigns, but Daisy, bless her heart, snuck in some hair bling with her Golden Poppies.