Tag: Masako

Japan

Random Royaling – Empress Masako

The HandbagLeave a comment

I want to take a moment the day before this most quintessential of U. S. holidays to appreciate some non-Western clothing, and a smart diplomatic choice by Empress Masako. The Empress and Emperor Naruhito met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emine Erdogen. The Empress wore an elegant green kimono with a delicately embroidered pink obi, a formal choice which nods to Mrs. Erdogen’s own traditional clothing. Emine Erdogen is in the conservative tesettür style worn by many Turkish women in public: a headscarf and a long, light cover-all topcoat, which cover the arms and legs completely.

Embed from Getty Images

I hope you can scroll in and appreciate the design and workmanship of this fantastic obi.

What do you think of the Empress’ kimono? Has she already ascended to the upper levels of diplomatic dressing?

U.S. State Visit to Japan
Japan

U.S. State Visit to Japan

The HandbagLeave a comment

Note: We will avoid discussion of American politicians, political wives, and policy on these U.S. state visit posts. We will instead focus on the royals, and we ask that you follow suit in the comments. Thanks!

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako held their first state visit, hosting the U.S. President and First Lady. The Empress, with her diplomatic background and fluency in five languages, was an instant internet sensation. I am sure that will tickle all the seasoned royal watchers, who have known the quiet, resilient force that is Masako for many, many years. It also pleased me to see her looking so very good.

To greet the President and First Lady, Masako wore a fitted ivory suit, with her trademark bowler hat. She accessorized with her usual pearls, although it seems to me that her earrings were a bit bolder than usual. Also, note the very impressive teamwork on display here.

Embed from Getty Images

Sadly, there were no tiaras in the evening, but Masako shone in a white jacket with a lace overlay and flowing skirt. She also wore a very impressive diamond and gold necklace, perhaps to give us all a bit of sparkle in the absence of a diadem.

Embed from Getty Images

The Court Jeweller has some photos of Princesses Kiko and Kako at the evening reception, as well.

Royal Hats has a lovely write-up on Masako’s ensemble for the good-bye photo op. She has indeed made some subtle wardrobe changes that are paying off in big dividends.

What do you think of Masako’s State Visit debut? Does it do your heart good to see that the internet has “discovered” her?

Japan

Moving on up!

LuckeyGirlLeave a comment

Today, Emperor Akihito will abdicate his position and Crown Prince Naruhito will become the new Emperor of Japan. Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony will be held in October , and I’m sure we’ll have some coverage of that. For now we are going to concentrate on one of my fave things…tiaras!

Crown Princess Masako has not been in the public eye as much as some of our other Crown Princesses, but she pops up every now and again for certain events. We can only hope that she is receiving the treatment she needs.

Since her marriage, Masako has had two tiaras available to her: The Pearl Sunburst Tiara and the Scroll Tiara that are usually worn by Crown Princesses.

The Pearl Sunburst Tiara, with matching necklace
The Crown Princess Scroll Tiara, with matching necklace

Once Naruhito becomes Emperor and Masako his Empress Consort, she will (we believe) have access to the vault, and the tiaras of the Empress. Empress Michiko stopped wearing tiaras some years ago, but we can hope that Masako will bring some of these beauties out of the vault!

The Meiji Scroll Tiara
The Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara
Princess Chichibu’s Honeysuckle Tiara

As there hasn’t been an abdication in Japan in over two hundred years, we are not sure how everything is going to shake out. But we are here for the sparkles…so which of the above would you like to see Masako wear first?