Tag: Charles

Order of the Garter–more fun!
Britain · Netherlands · Spain

Order of the Garter–more fun!

OrangeChiaLeave a comment

The appointment of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter is in The Queen’s gift, without Prime Ministerial advice. Queen Elizabeth has appointed Felipe VI, King of Spain, a Stranger Knight in 2017 and Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands as a Stranger Knight in 2018.  As we all know, both Kings attended this year’s Garter Service.

Another fun fact is that our very generous contributor Gert-Jan de Wit  was in attendance at Windsor and has graciously allowed us to share some of his photos!  (You can see more of his work by taking a look back at the Corps Diplomatique Dinner posts) and by clicking on his name to see his website.  A huge thank you to Gert-Jan for always being so supportive of the Handbag–we can’t thank you enough!  Let’s get started!

The Princess Royal and the Duke of York
  • Here come the men of the hour!
  • Duke of York, King Felipe, Earl of Wessex, King Willem-Alexander, Prince of Wales
  • Felipe & Willem-Alexander
  • Felipe, Willem-Alexander, Duke of Cambridge, PoW (for the next few photos)
  • The Sovereign of the Order
  • Granny heading back to the castle.
  • Queen Maxima, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge (all 3 slides)
  • Excellent view of the airy quality of Catherine’s black hat plus sneaky peeks on the left of Queen Letizia and the Countess of Wessex.

Elizabeth II has also created other Stranger Knights in the past.  Time for you to show us your research skills and show us your favorite photos of Garter Days past including Stranger Knights in the comments! 

Here’s a hint:  start with relatives of those Kings we see here in Gert-Jan’s amazing photos!

Brit Brief – Order of the Garter
Britain

Brit Brief – Order of the Garter

The HandbagLeave a comment

The hofdames can already feel the excitement building for this year’s Order of the Garter ceremonies. In addition to the usual pomp and the appearance of the senior Windsors, both King Felipe and King Willem-Alexander will be invested. The proceedings will be held at St. George’s Chapel. We will bring you all the details in an additional post, with some possible special guest contributions, as soon as we have them.

If you want to remind yourself what the ceremony is about, head here. Until we get the special post up, please use this post to add any comments or photos you might happen upon. Treat this as a mini-open post (although we’ll have a real Brit Brief Open Post starting tomorrow, for Ascot week).

The official photos with Her Majesty have been released. This is quite obviously a very big deal, even to the royals who are used to big deals.

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Queen Letizia is wearing a Cherubina hat and dress, and Queen Maxima is wearing Claes Iversen. Queen Letizia Style has already posted a run down on Leti’s ensemble, and our Iselen has provided many details in the comments. Triple-A has similarly been on the case providing us with information on Max’s clothing and accessories.

Let’s do a quick rundown on what some of the Windsor ladies wore.

Princess Alexandra was in her full regalia, riding in the procession, and looking healthy and good. I love a good Alex sighting. All is well with the world.

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Princess Anne, also in full regalia. Is it any surprise that she wears this well?

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Sophie was in a repeated Suzannah dress and Jane Taylor “disc” hat, with some nifty pearl drop earrings.

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Kate, to no one’s surprise I am sure, wore a new Catherine Walker “Liza” dress and Sylvia Fletcher percher, which is described as designed in the “Lion Tamer” Percher style. You tell me what that means, but it is one of my favorite hats. She wore the Collingwood pearl drop earrings.

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Camilla was just so very Camilla like in her Anna Valentine Dress, Five Strand Pink Topaz choker, and Philip Treacy hat. I hope this is a good sign for big hattage through Ascot! I also just love this view of Letizia’s dress, so I couldn’t help but slip her in again.

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A lovely and iconic group, right? There is a tantalizing glimpse of the Duchess of Gloucester in back, as well, in a fresh blue dress with what looks like Princess Alice’s diamond clips on the lapels.

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A great day, sartorially and historically. It was also a great day here! Hat tip to all the following blogs Queen Letizia Style, ModekoninginMaxima, What Kate Wore and Regal Fille. If you are at all interested in the royal hattage, Royal Hats is a must stop. Also, find Triple-A’s comments on Max’s hat re-do in the comments. Thanks to you all, for all your comments and contributions. This would be a dull and dry corner of the internet without you!

Spam a Man – Father’s Day Edition
Britain

Spam a Man – Father’s Day Edition

The HandbagLeave a comment

Royal dad-dom. So cute, often so overlooked. If you feel the urge, go ahead and spam your favorite royal dad in the comments. For those out there who celebrate yourselves – a Happy Father’s Day to you!

Have a great Father’s Day. If you are lucky enough to have a father or father figure in your life, head over and have some fun with him! We’ll see you all Monday.

Betty doodle Brit Brief Open Post – Trooping the Colour
Britain

Brit Brief Open Post – Trooping the Colour

LuckeyGirlLeave a comment

Today is the Queen’s Birthday!!! Ok, well not actually…that’s back in April. Today is her “official birthday” which includes a parade called the Trooping the Colour.

For newbies to the royal scene, this tradition goes all the way back to George II, when he combined the annual summer military march with his birthday parade (he was an October baby – and yes, we do rock!). The monarch’s birthday is usually celebrated during June, which has better weather than most of the actual birthday months of the monarchs. Some history here and here.

While the parade is all good and fun, what most people get the most excited about is the balcony appearance after the parade. Queen Elizabeth II, and pretty much all of her extended family, come out on the balconies of Buckingham Palace to watch a RAF flypast.

Since this event starts quite early (at least for those of us in the US), we’ll be back during the day with some pictures, but feel free to share below!

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The parade has begun and the woman of the hour has arrived, in a closed carriage. She appears to be entirely in beige, from hat floof to hem, as we like to say. A lovely sparkle in it, too.

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The Triple Duchess routine is in force, with the Duchess of Cornwall in mint green with a Wedgewood effect, the Duchess of Cambridge in a lovely yellow cream and the Duchess of Sussex looking sophisticated in navy. Prince Harry, lucky lad, is escorting all the ladies in one carriage. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were together, as were Sophie and Edward and their family.

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Some close-ups, for those who like to scrutinize detail. Meghan is reported to be in a bespoke design by Givenchy, Camilla in Bruce Oldfield with a Philip Treacy hat, and Kate in McQueen. Both Sophie and Autumn Philips are reported to be wearing dresses by Suzannah Fashion.

Princess Beatrice is wearing a pink Emilia Wickstead, also worn previously by Sophie (Ascot 2018) and Mette-Marit. I do love the detailing on Eugenie’s dress, which seems to have a textured effect.

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Lady Louise is repeating her ensemble from Princess Eugenie’s wedding.

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Autumn Philips in her Suzannah ensemble. I prefer this neckline to Sophies, only because of the interfacing factor. Those collars should stand at attention!

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Father, son and Aunt Anne in the Horse Guards uniform. The lower lip truly holds that hat on.

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Some peeping children, taking in the scene. Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are keeping an eye on things, and Prince George is all, “Eh. I’ve done this before. No need to wave ; ).”

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I think it’s fair to say that Prince Louis enjoyed both the flypast and his balcony debut.

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As always, the extended clan joined up on the balcony to watch the flypast. I enjoy this mother flanked by two sons configuration. Since we often don’t focus on Prince Andrew at this event, it’s nice to see him front and center with his mother and Charles.

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Belgium · Denmark · Norway · Royal Recap · Spain

Royal Recap – Globetrotters

The HandbagLeave a comment

The standard Royal Recap will return in a couple of weeks. We just have too many tours to discuss, so many that this post should be subtitled: Official and UnOfficial Visits: Everyone is Doing It!

We’re going to dispense with tour formalities and just do quick hits for each royal lady. You may catch a glimpse of their better halves, but then again, I make no promises ; ). We are busy here.

Ok, everyone! Hit your marks and let’s go.

Norway

King Harald and Queen Sonja made an official trip to Chile, and it was Chile’s lucky week because Sonja pulled out some sophisticated bold stripes and pattern mixing and matching.

Quick Hit One: Sonja understands that a Queen must be visible, and this dense and vibrant striped ensemble definitely draws the eye. It also is entirely flattering, colorwise. I always dig her sunnies.

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Quick Hit Two: Sometimes, you have to back away from the color and just go with a bold stripe to set yourself apart from the crowd. I have always liked Sonja in grey, but I think this jacket might be a bit long, a bit too overwhelming for her small frame.

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Quick Hit Three: I always like a good pattern mix and match, and Sonja agrees with me. I like this version of the scarf as neck bow so much better than the tight, short versions sported by some of our younger royals. Hello, Harald ; ).

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Spain

For a week, Argentina housed four of the best looking people on the planet. Lucky Argentina is on their second royal visit in as many weeks, and Leti and Felipe are up. Check out Queen Letizia Style for details and lots more photos.

Quick Hit One: The arrival. Leti is wearing what is described as a jade green Hugo Boss sheath dress – I would call the color more watery green myself. Leti + Sheath = Certain Success

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Quick Hit Two: The official welcome. Leti is wearing a sleeveless cream Pedro Del Hierro. I am very fond of Juliana Awada’s lovely navy, which reminds me of the night sky.

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Quick Hit Three: Vivid orange Zara, assymetrical to boot. My favorite thing about this outfit is the fabulous bee brooch – and brooches aren’t usually my thing.

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Quick Hit Four: I wish I had information on Juliana Awada’s fabulous cocktail dress, but alas I do not. Leti shines in red, as she always does. This dress is by Roberto Torretta.

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Quick Hit Five: The fabulous Awada and Letizia managed to mirror each other without matching cutely – quite a feat. Leti is wearing a repeated polka dot Massimo Dutti dress.

CasaReal

Belgium

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde embarked on an official visit to Korea, and Mathilde packed a boatload of clothes with an Asian theme.

Quick Hit One: Tils brought along not one, but two, Armani coats, both with embroidery that extend a diplomatic nod to her hosts.

Quick Hit Two: She pivoted back to her favorite designer, Natan, for the next two outings. I prefer the outfit without the jacket, which you can see at ModekoninginMathilde. A few astute internet observers have pointed out the outfit’s resemblance to Tils Benelux Sister In Sartorial Adventures, Max.

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Quick Hit Three: The state banquet was “smart” dress, not a tiara occasion. No big jewels, but there was some sparkle added to the pale blue pleated skirt, again by Natan. Tils also sported some lovely blue topaz earrings, which some think might have been an inheritance from Fabiola.

Quick Hit Four: Tils in jaunty red, unidentifed designer. But my favorite! The color is great for her and she just seems happy and youthful in this ensemble.

Denmark

Mary made a quick unofficial visit down to Ethiopia in support of her favorite causes: equality and rights for women and girls. For more information on the trip, and some incredible photos, see Style of Mary

Quick Hit One: Mary was the guest of honor at dinner hosted by Ethiopia’s first female President, Sahle-Work Zewde. She became Ethiopia’s first female president last year. Mary is wearing a Vilshenko printed midi dress – a mirror image of a white version we have seen in the past.

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Etiopien fik sidste år sin første kvindelige præsident, og i aftes havde hun inviteret H.K.H. Kronprinsessen og udviklingsminister Ulla Tørnæs på middag i anledning af deres besøg i det østafrikanske land. Med høje ambitioner på særligt ligestillingsdagsordenen satte Etiopiens premierminister sidste år et nyt ministerhold, hvor der er lige dele kvinder og mænd. Den etiopiske regering har ambitioner om at skabe lige muligheder på det sociale og økonomiske område, og kvinder markerer sig i stigende grad som iværksættere og virksomhedsledere. I den forbindelse besøgte Kronprinsessen og udviklingsministeren i denne uge Etiopien. Besøget havde fokus på FN’s verdensmål 5 om ligestilling mellem kønnene og kvinder og pigers rettigheder og muligheder.

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Vilshenko

Quick HIt Two: Mary is just like us! She is wearing a Malene Birger blouse and practical pair of North Face pants, which I do believe I have seen in my own closet. Quite down to earth for visiting the children in a school at Shire.

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I går ankom H.K.H. Kronprinsessen til byen Shire i regionen Tigray, hvor én af Etiopiens største flygtningebefolkninger befinder sig. Her mødte Hendes Kongelige Højhed både en gruppe skoleelever, der har fået bidrag fra Dansk Flygtningehjælp, og en gruppe uledsagede mindreårige, der udgør en stor beskyttelsesudfordring i de etiopiske flygtningelejre. De mindreårige er ofte flygtet alene med henblik på at blive genforenet med familiemedlemmer, der i nogle tilfælde flygtede for flere år siden. Onsdagens besøg var sidste del af Kronprinsessens besøg i Etiopien sammen med udviklingsminister Ulla Tørnes. Her har Kronprinsessen og ministeren i to dage besøgt det østafrikanske land med fokus på FN’s femte verdensmål om ligestilling mellem kønnene. 📸 Ida Marie Odgaard, Ritzau Scanpix ©️

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That’s it folks! Whew, time for everyone to REST.

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