Tag: BitsandBobs

Hofdame Bits and Bobs
Belgium · Netherlands · Sweden

Hofdame Bits and Bobs

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The hofdames are on summer vacation for the next two weeks. Never fear, posts will pop up daily, but they will be of the easy breezy summer type. Since Wimbledon is on hiatus for the year, we’ll have some quick look backs at iconic previous Wimbledon events, we have guest post with a fun scavenger hunt activity, and the intrepid LiL continues with her Designer Diary Thursday series. You won’t be bored, but this Bits will have to do for two weeks.

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Max and Wax have been out and about. The Belgians released a family photo and everyone is tall, tall, tall. And leggy! See it all here.

Sweden

I don’t know about you, but when Captain Sweden and the lovely Sils get their summer on, I am reminded of sherbet and ices and all kinds of summer glory. I know summer is brief in that part of the world and I applaud that they dress to dive in and just enjoy it.

Svensk Dam

Britain

Well, darn you Duchess for just missing my print post by a day. The opinions on prints were decidedly mixed there, but I think Kate looks very summery. She would fit right in walking hand in hand with Sils and CG.

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Denmark

I feel like we haven’t checked in with Mary lately, but even without our oversight she continues with her stylish ways. The message here is worthy, but my shallow side is simply marveling over her master class in earring and neckline combination.

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Som protektor for Copenhagen 2021, der er fællesbetegnelsen for LGBTI+-begivenhederne WorldPride og EuroGames, holdt H.K.H. Kronprinsessen i dag tale ved eventet Global Pride, som er et 24-timers online event med talere og kunstneriske indslag fra hele verden. Det virtuelle event er svar på de mange aflysninger af nationale Pride-arrangementer verden over pga COVID19. Se hele Hendes Kongelige Højheds tale her. ⁣ ⁣ Til næste år er København vært for det internationale event Copenhagen 2021, der har til formål at sikre lige rettigheder for LGBTI+-personer over hele verden. Copenhagen 2021 finder sted den 12.-22. august i 2021 i København og Malmø.⁣ ⁣ 🎥 Global Pride ©

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Norway

This is for LiL, and all those dreaming of vacationing abroad while we are all stuck in our respective countries. There is joy in staycationing, but I invite you to join me in fantasizing about visiting the summer palace of Oscarshall, on the peninsula of Bygdøy in Oslo.

Please add anything I may have missed, and we’ll see everyone in two weeks! Enjoy the quick pop-up posts in the meantime.

Not-So-Bitty Bits and Bobs
Britain · Japan · Luxembourg · Netherlands · Spain

Not-So-Bitty Bits and Bobs

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Things are picking are picking up, little by little. Warning – pure charm attack ahead.

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Wills and Kate continue to be the face of young Britain, now brought to you in person. At least for a couple events. Not to be outdone, Chuck and Cams show they are adapting well to the digital age, and can still knock it out of the park for the traditional visits. The Spains have been working and exhibiting good mask behavior. See it all here.

Other Voices, Other Media

Spain

The Spanish royals continue their absorption of culture with a visit to a contemporary flamenco performance. Shallow sort that I am, I just sit in envy over their long slim legs. Letizia is wearing a Massimo Dutti skirt and Leonor is in Hugo Boss.

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Japan

It seems like a thousand years, not nine months, since the enthronement. The Sparkle Sisters, Mako and Kako, appeared at the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Empress Kojun’s death. The attire is subdued, as required, and the masks add an eerie flavor to the appearance. Nevertheless, I was glad to see them. Naruhito and Masako, as well as most of the Imperial Family, were also there.

Do you like tea? I do, and am fascinated by the proper preparation of the beverage. Let’s just say here in the U.S. we make a bad job of it for the most part. Princess Akiko held an online seminar on tea and it all looks interesting.

Britain

Happy birthday and a happy father’s day to Prince William. Kate snapped the photos on the now-famous Anmer swing, to honor her husband the father of her kids. He’s 38 which is mind boggling to the couple of hofdames who remember waiting for his birth back in the hot summer of 1982. We will not reveal which ones but one of them is typing this with her ancient fingers ; ).

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This montage just slays me.

Luxembourg

The over-the-moon Luxies released a series of photos of Prince Charles and I don’t blame them. He is winning all the beautiful baby contests these days.

Cour Grand Ducale

Netherlands

Let’s end as we like to, with some Classic Princessing. Princess Margriet opened a food forest for pygmy monkeys (yes, you read that correctly). She looked utterly charming in her gray and white and utterly charmed by the monkeys.

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Bitty Bits and Bobs
Britain · Netherlands

Bitty Bits and Bobs

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Super bitty this week because The Handbag is taking a mini vacation today.

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King Philippe visited a market, Prince Philip had a birthday (and there are some great shots of Windsor), and the Duchess of Cambridge displays some of the Hold Still photos. Check it all out here.

Other Voices, Other Media

Britain

Kate recorded a video encouraging participation in her Hold Still project. The Duchess wore a Stella McCartney dress that has a long history. What Kate Wore has all the details.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex celebrate their 21st Wedding Anniversary on the 19th.

Photo: Pinterest

Netherlands

Maxima a paid a visit to the mental health care institution to discuss the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health care. The shirt is by Zara.

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Let’s end with a Classic Princess visiting a playground.

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Bitty Bits and Bobs
Britain · Netherlands · Spain · Sweden

Bitty Bits and Bobs

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It’s still bitty but we are here! Off we go then.

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The Spanish royals have been working. Leti looked smart in her navy Hugo Boss separates. Heading north, Max visited a grocery store and waste management plant – never say the royal life isn’t glamorous! Especially when Max gets to pose next to the Corona display. See it all here.

Other Voices, Other Media

  • There will be a mini Trooping the Colour for the Queen’s Birthday.
  • The Countess of Wessex is on the cover of the Sunday Times supplement. If anyone has a subscription and wants to summarize for us, we won’t object. Hey good lookin’! That applies to both the lady and the little of the interior of Bagshot that we can see.

Tiara Sighting

We aren’t getting many tiara wearings these days. This is the first sighting of this whopper in sixty years, so it’s doubly exciting. Not much is published about it, but it is a Big Gun by any definition. As always, the fabulous Tiara Mania spotted it.

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Charles and Camilla Carry On

Charles gave an interview to Sky News, talking about the effect social distancing has had on families, and on him personally. LiL asked why he kept looking around, and then we realized he was trying to include the camera operators in the conversation.

It was Volunteer Week last week in Britain, and Camilla recorded a video in support of the cause. She gave a us a new background to analyze, too. She is ever so kind.

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Today marks the start of #VolunteersWeek, and whilst this year’s events have been cancelled, volunteers are being recognised for their efforts in tackling the effects of COVID-19. As President of @royalvolservice, The Duchess of Cornwall (@clarencehouse) has shared a video message thanking volunteers for helping those in need, including the #NHSVolunteerResponders who are supporting the NHS during these difficult times. The NHS Volunteer Responders scheme is being delivered by the Royal Voluntary Service, who have continued to provide their regular voluntary activity. Over 250,000 tasks have already been completed, with 98% of requests being met within 24hrs. Joining the team of #NHSVolunteerResponders across the country, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal), The Countess of Wessex & The Duchess of Gloucester have all taken part in ‘check-in and chat’ calls with those self-isolating, vulnerable or elderly. Visit @ClarenceHouse for more!

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William has been volunteering, too, at a national crisis hotline. He and Kate lent support to all volunteers with this video.

Sweden’s National Day

It was Sweden’s National Day last weekend, and the royals were photographed in folk dress. I am loving Estelle’s version here. Per Handbaggie Polyscias, “Estelle’s dress is from Skedevi (it’s the summer dress) in her duchy Östergötland. Oscar is wearing the costume of Ingelstad in his duchy of Skåne. Victoria’s dress is from her duchy Västergötland, Vadsbo village.”

A change of costume, into the national folk dress for Estelle and a mini-Daniel outfit for Oscar. I don’t know if it’s the angle or what, but mercy, their smiles are exactly the same here.

Every National Day, a very large number of visitors tour the Royal Palace, which offers extended hours and different activities. This year, the Castle is closed. In lieu of the in person experience, Victoria filmed a series of shorter digital guided tours of a number of selected halls at the Castle. Swedish June light and Scandinavian interiors? It’s all wonderful, and it’s all on Instagram.

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Bitty Bits and Bobs
Britain · Greece · Norway

Bitty Bits and Bobs

The HandbagLeave a comment

Yes, it’s Bits and Bobs, back again in a little bitty fashion. This temporary name also fits our love of cheesy alliteration around here. There still isn’t a great deal of exciting royal news, but let’s soldier on with what we have.

The Week in Getty Images

Two of the Benelux royals represent in orange, one in crazy pants, the Spains were out everywhere, and the Chelsea Garden Show went on in a virtual fashion. See it all here.

Other Voices Other Blogs

  • The Royal Hats blog has continued valiantly on in the face of an Ascot free year. I have to thank her for showing me the way to the Milliner’s Guild Instagram Challenge, where people are re-creating their favorite Ascot looks. Also, here is a great look back, suggested by ardent royalist Mitten Mary.
  • Mary From the Start is up to 2012. They featured Margrethe’s 40th Jubilee celebrations and I have no memory of this gold lame jacket.

Two Weddings that Weren’t

I can’t tell you how depressing it was to type out that header. Both of these weddings would have been barn burners for royal watching. It seems the couples have come to terms with the situation, and I hope they are planning something spectacular for royal watchers in the future.

Theodora Greece promises a celebration in Greece once it’s safe. We’ve talked about the enormous social capital of the Greek royals, and how they are close to everyone. You know that when this wedding does come off, it will be a bonanza of royal sightings.

Princess Beatrice had already planned a smaller, more intimate wedding, but I am sure there would have been plenty to talk about between tiaras and dress designers and immediate family guests. Oh, well, next year will be big.

Happy Birthday

Jetsun Pema celebrated her 30th birthday and, generous as she is, gave us a present. Look at the gorgeous photos of the new family configuration, including the bébé. The name will be made public in the next few days.

The Brits Being Veddy British

I am quite relieved to see that the coronavirus isolation hasn’t taken any of the zip out of HerMaj. Here she is with her favorite animals, doing her favorite activity.

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Charles loved his grandmother. This is very sweet.

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“We decided each movement should reflect an important aspect of her character. The smile, the love and the sense of duty which remained deep right to the very end.” . 🎧 The Prince speaks of the special piano concerto that he commissioned in memory of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. . ⬅️ The piece will be played in full this evening during the second of two special programmes on @ClassicFM. Tonight’s programme will be presented solely by The Prince of Wales, who will highlight the great importance of classical music, particularly during this difficult time. His Royal Highness will add to last night’s programme with more of his favourite classical pieces, of which two were recorded by The Duchess of Cornwall’s musical patronages, @nyo_gb and @lcoorchestra. . 📻 Tune in to Classic FM from 8pm or follow the link in our bio.

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Let’s End with a Classic Princess

Isn’t this a lovely photo of a lovely young girl? Behold Princess Astrid at the time of her re-unification with her family, post World War II.

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